About 70% of date and/or acquaintance type rapes, the attacker builds trust with his victim. He may be a relative, a close friend, a friend of a friend, work associate, neighbor, salesman or even a lover or fiance. Over 50% of this form of rape happens in the victims own home, and usually because of embarrassment, are not reported. Such rapists will generally repeat this pattern of trust with other victims, and at times, even the same woman.
- Limit your trust on a first date, especially if the date has resulted from the singles bar scene or an open party.
- Know what your sexual limits are, and communicate these values early. Sending mixed signals of a sexual nature can very often invite or create a problem that you may regret.
- Maintain control over your environment. Do not go to out-of-the-way places or to a man's home or even invite him to yours on a first or second date. If you feel uncomfortable, unsure, or have any doubts, trust your gut instinct and leave. Call a cab or a friend for help. Trust your gut feelings about your date's moral make-up.
- During early dating minimize your alcohol consumption, and drugs of any kind are a no-no. Often times abuse of these substances are an invitation for trouble. The latest drug, GHB, alias "Easy Lay", if unknowingly slipped into your drink, can have catastrophic results. It renders you helpless. You are knocked out, you will not remember anything, an worse, you can go into a coma.
- Be extra cautious and avoid dating men who get hostile, display anger or tend to over drink or are using drugs. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Regardless of what profile rapist is encountered, a victim MUST realize that survival depends on her ability to react with the viciousness of a lioness protecting her offspring.
Written by: Frank Shilosky
No comments:
Post a Comment