Do you have fears that you may get raped while in college? Here are some very helpful pointers you can follow if you want to really stay safe.
Do This
- 1Be very cautious of who you place your trust in. Most victims of rape knew the perpetrator prior to the attack. Rapists are classmates, dorm mates, friends of friends -- people who act 'nice' in order to more easily win your trust. A friend of a friend is still a stranger to you. Do not feel obligated to spend time with someone because they are acquainted with someone that you know.
- 2Learn how to defend yourself from an attack. Take a self defense course, martial arts, or boxing. Carry pepper spray. When in public, walk confidently and purposefully. Do not act distracted or uncertain. Do not walk around in public chatting on a phone or texting. If you exercise outdoors, do not wear headphones. Vary your routine.
- 3Don't be afraid to be assertive with any individual who's disregarding your requests to be left alone. This specifically includes men who won't take "no" for an answer if you turn them down for dates, and men who won't stop kissing/touching you after you have asked them to.
- 4Never be alone with or date any person who attempts to coerce you into activities that you are uncomfortable doing, whether it's drug, alcohol or sexually oriented. Never go to a secondary location with such a person.
- 5Always keep your dormitory door locked, even if it's just to go to the bathroom/showers.
- 6Be cautious about whom you invite into your room. Leave the door fully or partially open if you have visitors.
- 7When entering your dormitory building, do not allow individuals who don't reside there to follow in behind you -- allow the dorm resident who they are visiting to let them in. Even if you know the individual, it's safer for everyone that they be escorted into the building by the person they came to see.
- 8Keep your contact information -- this includes your dormitory building and your room number -- as private as possible.
- 9Learn about the effects of date rape drugs and alcohol. Alcohol and/or drug use has a high correlation to rape on college campuses. Victims of sexual abuse are more likely to develop issues with drugs and/or alcohol.
- 10Go on group dates instead of being alone with your date until you know him better. Always let a friend know who you are dating and where you will be with him. On initial dates, have a friend call or text to check on you. If you are uncomfortable during the date, make an excuse about an emergency to leave.
- 11Always carry extra cash, in case you have no vehicle and need to call a cab.
- 12Don't drink alcohol to get intoxicated. This is the number one risk factor for college sexual assaults.
- 13Make agreements with your friends to monitor each other's alcohol consumption and to not leave an intoxicated person alone or allow them to leave with someone else.
- 14Watch your alcohol consumption with wines, hard cider and cocktails, which may have high alcohol levels without the strong alcohol taste. Never drink more than two drinks at one sitting, and be sure to eat a meal before or with your drinks. If you must have more than one drink, drink a glass or two of water first.
- 15Drink out of containers you open yourself and watch your drink at all times. If someone mixes you a drink, watch them make it. If someone offers to buy you a drink, go with them to the bar and watch the drink being prepared. If you lose track of your drink for a time, no longer drink it -- pour it out.
- 16If a individual attempts to assault you, do what is in your power to stop him -- hit him hard in the nose, gouge at his eyes, knee him, grab his genitals and twist them. Scream loudly, pound the walls, throw things at the perpetrator. If anyone is nearby, ask particularly for assistance from him or her.
Warning
- If you think you have been drugged, go to the emergency room at the hospital to get tested immediately!
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