Rape Prevention After The Brock Turner Case

 

Brock TurnerThe recent Stanford swimmer rape case reminds us that rape prevention needs to be on top of every woman’s mind.  Almost one in 5 American women report having been raped at some point in their lives according to The Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov).  Also, a study from www.D2L.org estimates that one in 10 American children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Let’s consider some tips for rape prevention.

Rape Prevention At Home:

  • Walk up to your home’s entrance confidently with your keys in your hand.
  • If someone calls or knocks on the door, never give the impression you are home alone.bad-guy
  • Keep your home’s doors and windows locked; especially if you are home alone.
  • When you come home and observe any signs of forcible entry, do not go inside.  Instead, get someplace safe and call the police.
  • Should a stranger knock on your door and ask to use the phone, have them wait outside and lock the door while you make the call

Rape Prevention In Your Car:

  • Remember to check your car (back seat) before entering.
  • Always park your car in a well-lit, secured area.  Be especially cautious in parking garages.  Never get in a stranger’s car.car-woman
  • Keep your car doors locked and never pick up hitchhikers.
  • If you are being followed in your car, do not drive home.  Instead, drive to the nearest police station.
  • Do not walk closely to vans parked in lots.  Walk to your car confidently, with your keys in your hand.
  • If a car “bumps” you from behind, do not stop to exchange information.  Instead, drive to the nearest, well-lit, populated area such as a service station.

Rape Prevention When Going Out:

  • Make sure your cell phone is charged before going out.
  • Be alert. Look around you to be aware of who and what’s around you.  Don’t walk along staring at your shoes or your telephone.woman walking
  • Trust your instincts.  If you sense something is wrong, get out of there.
  • On the street, walk facing traffic, at a steady pace.  Walk close to the curb.  Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleyways.
  • Keep anything you drink in your possession 100% of the time.  Pace your alcohol consumption so you don’t lose control.  Alternate rounds with soft drinks.
  • Stick with your friends when possible.  And don’t leave anyone behind.
  • When on a date with somebody not well-known by you, stick to well-lit, populated venues.  Let your family or friends know where, when, how, and with whom you are going.  Always have enough money to be able to take a cab home.

Rape Prevention, Other:

  • Be extremely careful with your personal information.  Once you post something on social media, you lose all control over who ends up seeing it.  Meeting someone in-person who you have met online can be very risky.  So be extra cautious.karate-woman
  • Carry defensive weapons only if you know how to use them.  Anything you have could be grabbed and used against you.
  • Be assertive if you receive an unwanted advance.  Make a lot of noise if he does not get the message.  You can scream “call the police”, “call 911”, or even “fire” to get a bystander to call for help.
  • Take a self-defense course.  Consider becoming trained and licensed to carry a concealed weapon.

Unfortunately, rape is an everyday risk for women in America today.  Therefore we all need to do our parts for rape prevention.