Self-Defense & Violence Prevention Blog

Sexual assault and rape still plague our society. Use the following self-defense tips to protect yourself, and share these tips with your loved ones.

These are tips for women to avoid sexual assault and rape (womenshealth.org):

If you live alone, only use your first initial and your last name on your mailbox.

There is safety in numbers, travel in groups whenever possible.

Take a self-defense course for women and learn how to resist an assailant.

Keep in mind that any date can turn into a date rape.

Know the name of the men that you date, and be reserved on the first day. Perhaps offer to pay for yourself so that you don’t ‘owe’ anything.

If you’re going home with a man that you don’t know very well, make sure that someone else knows, and let the man know this as well.

If you begin to feel uncomfortable let him know right away that he’s gone too far. Look for a way to leave.

Never feel that you have to give in to sexual intercourse. If you feel pressure, leave.

Use drugs and alcohol with caution.

These are things to do in the situation (womenshealth.org):

Make a loud noise – Carry a whistle or scream “police” to attract attention

Stall – Speak calmly and rationally. Try not to plead, cry or show that you’re scared, this may be the reaction that he’s going for.

Urinate or vomit – Do anything you can to repulse the assailant. Tell him that you have a STD or AIDS.

Keep alert – Even though it will be difficult, try to pay attention to as many details as possible, so that you can identify your assailant.

Get help – Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Police are becoming more willing to help victims of rape. You are not obligated to press charges or go to court.

Collect evidence – Do not bathe, shower, or douche. If you change clothes, put the clothes you were raped in into a bag and seal it.

Learning self-defense is crucial in saving women from sexual attacks, and a Masters in Criminal Justice can be used to start a career preventing sexual attacks from happening.