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Rape Is Not A Selective
Crime
It happens on streets, in
cars, in schools, in parks, in alleys. The
rapist has no regard for age, race or social
status.
What is being done?
Across the state, police
departments, hospitals and prosecutors' offices
have revised and updated their policies and
procedures. Legislators have amended laws to
provide protection and encouragement for the
victims of rape. Citizen groups have organized
rape crisis centers to provide support and
counseling to victims and their families.
Personal safety, however,
must begin with the individual. Help protect
yourself by taking the steps to protect yourself
from sexual assaults.
Safety Tips For Rape
Prevention
Be aware of the possibility
of being raped....it could happen to YOU.
Safety at Home
Replace or re-key locks when
you move into a new home or apartment. Install a
door viewer and a 1 inch deadbolt lock and use
them. Look before opening your door to anyone.
Keep doors locked at all
times and instruct children never open your door
to anyone.
Require all strangers to
show identification. If you haven't called for a
repairman, don't let one inside. Leave him
waiting outside and call his place of business
to verify his reason for being in your area.
Rape is the fastest rising
violent crime in America. What can we do to
prevent this crime from happening to you? Listed
below are safety tips for you to follow that can
reduce your risk of assault and/or rape.
Secure
you car and home. Keep a large flashlight, two
quarters, a map of the city you are in and five
to ten dollars in your car. The flashlight can
be used as a light or weapon; the quarters are
for the use of a pay phone; and the five dollars
is for car emergencies only (eg., new windshield
wipers or gas). Always keep your doors and
windows locked and evaluate the effectiveness of
the locks. Never open your door to a stranger
and never tell them you are alone.
Avoid
unsafe situations and strangers. If you are
being followed, go to the nearest police or fire
department, or any place where several people
will be (convenience stores, gas station, etc.)
Walk in groups at night.
Flee
if you are in a potentially dangerous situation.
Yell or scream to attract attention. Carry a
whistle that will make a loud noise.
Engage
in passive or active resistance. Passive
resistance is to think and talk your way out of
a situation. Active resistance is to react
immediately to startle your attacker. Use any
available item (HAIRSPRAY, KEYS, PURSE) as a
weapon.
Think!
Keep using your mind to think of alternative
actions for escape.
You
are responsible for your own safety. Call your
local police department or rape crisis center
and set up a schedule for a Law Enforcement
Officer to speak to your employees or neighbors.
Don't let a stranger inside
your home to use the phone; make the call for
him.
Never admit that you or a
neighbor are home alone.
Women living alone should
use only initials on mailboxes and in telephone
listings.
Leave outside lights on at
night, and keep lights on in more than one room.
If you receive an obscene
phone call-hang up-don't react.
Safety Tips While Walking
- When possible, avoid
walking alone. Walk with someone, or walk in
areas where other people are near.
- Stay in well-lighted
areas, away from alleys, bushes and entry
ways.
- Avoid shortcuts through
parks, vacant lots and other deserted
places.
- Don't hitchhike or accept
rides form strangers.
- If a driver stops to ask
you directions, avoid getting near the car.
- If you are being
followed, go to the nearest business or
residence for help.
- If you are harassed by
the occupants of a car, simply turn and walk
the other direction. The driver will have to
turn around to follow you.
- Hold your purse close,
not dangling, and avoid carrying extra money
or valuables on your person.
- When you return home,
have your door key ready so that you can
enter without delay.
ABOVE
ALL, BE AWARE OF THE PEOPLE AROUND
YOU.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND THE TOTAL
ENVIRONMENT.
Safety Tips While Driving
- Never pick up
hitchhikers.
- Keep car doors locked at
all times. While walking to your car, look
under car.
- Before entering your car,
look into the back seat and on floor board.
- Always have your keys
ready to unlock the car door and enter
without delay. Never walk across the parking
lot digging in your purse for your keys;
have them in your hand before leaving the
building.
- Make certain that you
have enough gas to get where you are going
and always keep your vehicle in good running
condition.
- If possible, travel on
well lighted, busy streets and avoid
isolated back roads and short cuts.
- If your are being
followed, drive to the nearest open business
for help, or drive to the Police or Fire
Station.
- Never leave your house
keys with your car keys at a service station
or parking lot.
- Women driving alone
should never stop to aid a stranger in a
stalled vehicle. Proceed to an open
business, and report the stalled vehicle to
the police.
- If you have trouble,
raise the hood, and stay in your vehicle.
When someone offers assistance, roll the
window down just enough to talk to them. Ask
them to stop at the first phone to call a
relative, friend, garage or the police for
you. Never get into a stranger's car.
Safety Tips For Youth
- Children should be made
aware of the dangers of accepting rides from
or talking to strangers.
- Children should be
encouraged to talk with their parents if
they ever have a problem, not only with a
stranger but also with a friend or relative.
- Children should know a
safe, well-traveled route to take to and
from school. Isolated areas should be
avoided.
- Teenage baby-sitters
should not accept jobs with people they do
not know, or who have not been referred by
people they know.
- Baby-sitters should call
the police immediately if anything
suspicious happens at the house. They should
never open the door for strangers.
- The sitter's parents
should be called at the end of the evening
to inform them that the sitter will be home
shortly.
- You may follow the advise
and safety tips recommended and still find
yourself confronted by an attacker. If it
happens, you will have only seconds to
decide your method of defense, so you must
prepare mentally for the possibility of rape
happening to you.
Reporting A Rape
The Sheriff's Department can
only arrest a criminal if they are made aware of
the offense. If you are raped, call 911
or the Police or Sheriff's Department IMMEDIATELY.
DON'T
CHANGE CLOTHES OR TAKE A BATH OR SHOWER and do
NOT EAT or SMOKE or CHEW GUM. All
physical evidence, including seminal fluids,
hair, blood types, and scrapings of flesh form
the victim's nails are used in court.
Avoid using the bathroom prior to the exam if
possible.
Information Most Needed
By Police:
- Car license, make or
model and color
- Race of assailant
- Approximate age, weight
and height
- Hair color and length of
hair
- Color of eyes
- Clothing
- Any unusual marks, scars,
tattoos, rings, etc.
- Any facial hair or odors
Practice being observant so
that, if you are raped or attacked, you will be
able to remember and identify the
assailant.
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