Preventing Sexual Assault

Preventing Sexual Assault

Crime and Violence Prevention Center • California Attorney General’s Office
Know the facts about rape

• Rape is a violent crime – a hostile attack – an attempt to hurt and humiliate. It is NOT the result of “uncontrolled passions.”
• Rape can happen to anyone. Students, working women, wives, mothers, children, grandmothers and even males are the victims of rape.
• Rape can occur anywhere and at anytime, in public or in your own home, day or night.
• Rapists are not necessarily strangers. In fact, in over one-third of reported cases, the rapist is an acquaintance, neighbor, friend or relative of the victim.
• Rape is one of the most underreported crimes. Most rapists will keep re-offending until they are caught so it is important to report any kind of sexual assault to law enforcement.

 Prevention tips

The tips in this brochure are designed to help you avoid being the victim of sexual assault. The
more you know about rape prevention, the better your chances are of never becoming a victim.

• First, know the facts about rape. Become aware of locations and situations where rape might occur and avoid them, if possible.
• Consider your alternatives if confronted by a rapist. Practice possible responses so that you can recall them even under the stress of an encounter.
• Safety at home
• Many rapes occur in or near the victim’s home. One of the best ways to prevent sexual assault is to practice good home security.
• Install effective locks on all doors and windows — and USE them.
• Install a peephole viewer in your door, NEVER open your door without knowing who is on the other side. Require salespeople or repair people to show identification.
• If you are alone, use only your last name and initials on mail boxes and in telephone directories.
• If strangers telephone or come to your door, don’t admit that you are alone.
• Don’t let any strangers into your home — no matter what the reason or how dire the emergency.
• Offer to make an emergency phone call while they wait outside.
• If you live in an apartment, avoid being in the laundry room or garage by yourself, especially at night.
• If you come home and find a door or window open or signs of forced entry, DON’T GO IN! Go to the nearest phone and call your local law enforcement agency.

Don’t walk into danger

Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you — especially if you are alone or it is dark.
Know where help may be if you should need it.

• Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
• Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk confidently, directly and at a steady pace on the side of the street facing traffic. A rapist looks for someone who appears vulnerable.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where rapists can hide.
• If you think you are being followed, walk quickly to areas where there are lights and people.
• If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk on the other side of the street.
• If you are in danger, scream and run or yell “fire.”

Car safety

• Keep your car in good working order and the gas tank at least half full.
• Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your car.
• Park in well-lighted areas.
• As you approach your car, have your car keys in your hand, look under your car and check the back seat area before entering.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place.
• If your car breaks down, turn on your flashers, open the hood, attach a white cloth to the antenna and wait inside your car with the doors locked. If someone stops to help, stay in your car and ask them to call the local law enforcement agency, a garage or a tow service for you.

Weapons

Carrying weapons for self-defense is a decision that should not be made without careful research
and adequate training. Also, there are many laws which regulate and/or restrict the types of selfdefense weapons available. BE SAFE — for more information, contact your local law enforcement agency.

If you are attacked...

Remember, your main concern must always be YOUR SAFETY. No one can tell you whether you
should fight back, submit or resist. IT DEPENDS ON YOU AND THE SITUATION.

Keep assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another. Possible
options are: negotiating, stalling for time, distracting the assailant and fleeing to a safe place,
verbal assertiveness, screaming to attract attention or physical resistance. Your best defense,
however, is to BE PREPARED — know your options ahead of time. Your safety may depend upon
your ability to stay cool and calm.

If you are a victim of rape...

• Go to a safe place immediately and call your local law enforcement agency, a rape crisis center,
  doctor, friend or relative. The sooner you make the report, the greater the chances the attacker
  will be caught.
• Do not wash, douche, change clothes or clean up in any way until after talking to law enforcement and going to the hospital. You could destroy valuable evidence for court use.
• Remember, you are the victim. You have nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about. You may
  want to contact a treatment or crisis center to help you deal with the consequences of the
  assault.

Crime and Violence Prevention Center
California Attorney General's Office
Bill Lockyer, Attorney General