It is an unfortunate tragedy that women must take steps to prevent being raped. It is unfortunate that it isn't the men taking steps to prevent committing rapes and violent crimes. But until the time comes when men realize it is their responsibility and begin to break the cycle of violence towards women, we must take certain steps to avoid becoming a victims of this senseless and devastating crime.
1. If you live alone, don't put your first name on your mailbox, nor should it be in the phone book if you have a listed phone. Just use a first initial and your last name.
2. Learn self-defence either from a live course in your home town or through a DVD course. Obviously hands on practice is the best, but if you don't have a course in your town, the next best thing is learning from a DVD. There are many different methods of self-defense from martial arts to street fighting.
3. Learn to trust your intuition. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, don't go with him on a date, or if you are already on a date, tell him you are feeling uncomfortable and would like to leave.
4. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are jogging or walking alone, don't wear an iPod or a other diversionary electronics. Always be alert to who or what is around you.
5. Carry a self-defense weapon and know how to use it. There are many non-lethal weapons such as pepper sprays and stun guns that will immobilize any assailant and give you time to escape and call for help.
6. Make as much noise as possible if you are confronted with an assailant. Personal alarms are good for this because they emit an ear-piercing high decibel noise that will attract attention and probably scare off anyone intent on hurting you.
7. If you are on a date with someone, never feel that you have to give in to his demands for sexual intercourse. If you are feeling pressured, leave the situation.
8. Be careful at parties where alcohol is served. Never accept a drink given to you by anyone. Either open your own or have it poured by the bartender. Never leave a drink unattended for even a moment because someone could easily drop a drug into it.
9. Never drive anywhere when you are being held hostage, even with a gun aimed at you. More likely than not, you will not only be raped, but possibly killed if you do. The best thing to do in this situation is to drive into something stationary after putting on your seat belt. The impact will attract attention and the air bag will keep you safe.
10. Pay attention to the vehicles around you in a parking lot. If you are returning to your car and there is a van parked next to you on the driver's side, do not approach your car. Either wait until the van leaves or contact a security guard to go with you to your car.
11. Take a dog with you on walks or to the beach or anywhere where you may be confronted by a predator. Dogs are the ideal deterrent to crime, whether they are protecting your home, your vehicle, or yourself. Criminals will seldom attack someone who has a dog with them because dogs create a ruckus and attract attention and that is the last thing a predator wants.
These are actually only a few precautions you can take to protect yourself from being attacked, but even performing these few should keep you safe from the unfortunate evil in this world that would seek you out and try to ruin your life. Be safe out there.
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