Preventing Sexual Assault

By Great Wall Defense an Online  Personal Defense Store

No matter how many laws there are on the books or how many time Joe Biden announces the fact that sexual assault is a crime (everyone knows that), a woman must always be extra cautious and on guard. To someone that is determined to commit sexual assault, the laws on the books and announcements by the Vice President make it far more enticing to those doing the crime. Prevention requires much more than self-defense classes and scare tactics to remind us how these things happen on TV and on the movie screen. A woman needs practical reminders to avoid attacks around the home, at school, or even at work on the job. These sexual predators are active opportunists who if given the chance will try to take advantage of whatever weakness and given the right moment in time, make a victim out of you too. Personal Safety takes effort and insight from those who have not been as well prepared as you will be. Though it may involve some extra effort on your part, it is worthwhile, even critical to consider and examine your personal safety level based on these tips. Here are a few.

Here are some tips to help you to stay safer around the places you occupy, and what to do if things go wrong.

1. When a female's name is listed (by itself) in a public place such as on your mailbox compartment or a master listing in front of an apartment or condo community. This announces to the world that a single woman lives there, and most likely alone. If your name must be displayed in public, such as on community mailboxes, intercom listings, or telephone listings, opt to use your initials instead. You may even wish to go so far as to have mail and bills delivered with only your first initial and your last name. You might even opt for a post office box.

2. Get your things together and organized before you leave a building, so you’re not perceived by the criminal element as struggling with your purse, packages, or grocery bags. Have your keys out and ready before you reach your car when you’re in a lonely or dark parking garage. For example, if you’re doing laundry away from home and you are going to be alone, do what you have to do to get things going, then leave. If you must attend to your things, purchase a high decibel personal alarm or a good quality pepper spray in case you are confronted. But if you decide to leave the premises to avoid this scenario, take the opportunity to find a safe haven (Starbuck's, library, a grocery store, etc.) nearby while the clothes are being washed or dried. Then after some time has passed, simply return to move things along or if you are done, just pick up and go home. It is far better to risk your clothes being stolen than risking your life. Don’t linger anywhere for long periods of time in situations that of necessity cause you to be there all alone. Don't be a sitting duck.

3. Never let anyone know that you are all alone, even if you’re on the telephone, at the door, nor alluding to it to anyone while on the town day or night.store at night. Feel free to call out to an imaginary “Fred and or John” telling them that you’re on your way, or do the same during a fake phone call. Perhaps adding a determined statement telling them them how you see them waiting for you outside. If you’re walking down the street, wave at the windows of your imaginary friends. When you're home alone, never open your door to anyone unless it’s someone you know really well, or if it's a scheduled service call that you have been expecting. Even then, use good judgment and discernment if anything seems odd to you. Better safe than sorry they say.

4. Don’t let people know that you had to take public transit to get to a class, an event, or other outing. If you do, you are setting yourself up for someone to notice a pattern of behavior. Once they know that they can lay in wait for you in possibly some places where you are vulnerable. It is never wise to accept a ride home from someone you have just met. Just say no thanks, and then proceed to tell them that someone is waiting for you. Remember that many women that let their guard down in times past, never reached home at all because of a bad decision on their part.

5. If you decide to physically resist an assault, it will be your one goal to physically incapacitate your attacker long enough for you to run off and seek help. This is not the time to seek revenge or take photos.  Keep in mind that you can and will be injured while you do this, and you’ll have to cause injury to the person attacking you, but it’s better than the other option.

6. If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, contact the police immediately. It can be tempting to discard clothing, bathe, or toss out evidence but don’t, because leaving yourself with evidence in tote can lead to arrest and prosecution of the suspect. Don’t even consider dealing with this yourself—the authorities can help you with counseling services, and you may need to be looked at and treated for possible diseases. Remember that it’s not your fault.

It’s very important for you to take these reminders seriously and not rely solely on common sense to provide all the help. Learn from others and get yourself some kind of non-lethal defense weapon to help you get away should someone grab or try to trap you.  Remember that criminals attack during the best opportunity which is when you are caught off guard or in a compromising situation. Don’t give them that opportunity, and you’ll keep yourself safe. Personal defense is a personal matter so do it for you.