How to Avoid a Sexual Assault

December 29, 2009 by Dawna
Filed under Personal Security

The best way to avoid a sexual attack is to stay awake and alert in public. Never assume that you are in a safe situation. By taking responsibility to guard your perimeter you will be able to avoid most dangerous situations for this reason: attackers are looking for easy victims.

If you have ever seen a wildlife documentary where the lions are chasing the herd of antelope – you will remember that it is always the straggling antelope that has become separated from the herd that is attacked. The lions never go after the aware and prepared antelope. Human attackers are very similar. Easy victims are always selected.

Human attackers may be the handsome date that has slipped a drug in your drink when you were not looking. Never drink anything you did not order yourself and never leave your drink unattended. Take your drink with you to the restroom. Also do not rely on a female friend to watch your drink. Watch out for yourself and don’t depend on others to protect you.

Drinking to the point of intoxication makes you the human equivalent of a straggling antelope. Don’t do it. Limit yourself to one drink – but then switch to a non-alcoholic beverage. If you want something mood altering go for something high caffeine. This will help you remain alert and prepared to defend yourself.

If you notice that you feel uncomfortable when you are out somewhere – immediately pay attention. This is your intuition warning you to be very alert. Prepare to leave as soon as possible without putting yourself in danger. Think carefully about the best way to handle the situation and then do it. Delaying is ignoring your gut feeling which is trying to get you to act now.

When you are out in public stay in areas that have lots of other people and lots of bright lighting. Make sure that you appear confident – a woman in control and with a purpose. Look around as you walk so that potential attackers realize you are paying attention.

Walk on the side of the street facing traffic so you are able to see any vehicle that stops near you immediately. If a vehicle stops near you to ask for directions or any other reason be aware that this is how many kidnappings take place.

Vans with sliding doors are especially dangerous but every car has a trunk that you could be thrown into. Don’t let anyone get close enough to you to do this! It is better to risk being shot in the open as you run than it is to allow anyone to get you into a vehicle.

Have you ever seen a frightened cat? Did it wait around to find out any specific information about the threat? No! It ran away immediately and fast. A cat on the move is nearly impossible to catch. The lesson here is to get away from danger the second your intuition and gut feeling warn you something is wrong.

Try to dress in clothes and shoes that will allow you to run away quickly. Carry your keys to use as a weapon. An inexpensive and useful weapon is a corkscrew with a wooden handle that you can wrap your hand around. Pepper spray is especially good to have with you ready to use. A blinding bright flashlight is good too.

Never worry about embarrassment. Better to be considered rude or paranoid than to end up a polite rape victim. Carry a cell phone and call 911 if you sense danger. Know your location at all times so you can give the dispatcher the information about where you are.

Taking responsibility for protecting your personal boundary is an effective way to avoid sexual assault. Simply by doing this you create the appearance of a well-protected woman. Any potential attackers will usually move on in search of easier victims – instead of you.