Protective Measures to Prevent Rape

Personal Safety Tips for Women at Home

• Women who live alone should list only their last names and initials in phone directories and on mailboxes.
• The best lock cannot function if you fail to lock it.
• Be sure you lock your doors during the day, even if you are home, and even if you only leave it for a few minutes (to walk the dog, get the mail, etc.)
• Never open the door automatically after a knock.
• Require the caller to identify himself satisfactorily; this includes repairmen, delivery men, policemen and any other official looking man as well.
• Utilize chain bolt when checking identification. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR enough for him to gain access to your house/residence unless you bare satisfied as to his identity and intentions.
• Inside and outside lights give you a good deal of protection.
• Leave lights on at night, even when away from home.
• Change location of the lights from time to time. This way you avoid a watcher taking notes.

• Leave a light on at the door you will be using when you return home after dark. [Use timers]. Have your key ready so that door can opened immediately, upon your arrival.
• When a stranger asks to use your phone, do not permit him to enter. Offer to summon emergency assistance or make the call for him.
• If a window or door has been forced or broken while you were absent, DO NOT ENTER OR CALL OUT. Use a neighbor's phone immediately to call the police and wait outside or at you neighbor's house until they arrive.
    
  Safety Tips While Driving
• When practicable, travel on well lighted, more populated streets and thoroughfares. Please do not travel down alleyways at night that are not or dimly lit, as these places invites an attack.
• Keep you vehicles windows' and doors locked at all times.
• Keep your car in gear while halted at traffic lights and stop signs. If your safety is threatened, hold down on the horn and drive away as soon as possible. You may do this while ignoring common traffic signals but only if you do not place any other vehicle or pedestrian in danger
• Check you rear view mirror. If you believe you are being followed by another car, do not drive into your driveway, or park in a deserted area. Pull over to the curb at a spot where there are people, and let the car pass you. If the other vehicle continues to follow you, drive to the nearest place where you can get help. (Gas station , Police Station, Fire House, etc.)

• If you should be followed into your driveway at night, stay in your car with the doors locked until you can identify the occupants or know the driver's intent. Sound horn to get the attention of neighbors or scare the other driver off, or if you have a cell phone with you (as most people do), dial 911 or summon other emergency responses [In Europe its 411, or even 199].
• When parking at night, select a place that will be lighted when you return. Check for loiterers before leaving the car.
• Never leave car keys in the ignition, even if you are only parked for a short time Take them with you, and make sure your vehicle is locked.

Safety Tips While Walking

• After getting off a bus, or leaving a subway station at night, look around to see whether you are being followed
• If someone suspicious is behind you, or ahead of you, cross the street. If necessary, zigzag from one side to another, back and forth.
• If you feel you are being followed, don't be afraid to RUN and SCREAM.
• One of the criminals greatest assets is his ability to surprise you, to attack when you least expect it, by suddenly leaping out and not giving you a chance to fight back. Should he continue to trail you, be prepared to defend yourself by : SCREAMING AND RUNNING to a lighted residence or business, or possibly flag down a passing car.
• If a car approaches you and you feel threatened, scream and run in the direction opposite that of the car. (The driver will have to turn around to pursue you.)
• Walk near the curb and avoid passing close to shrubbery, dark doorways and other places of concealment. shun shortcuts, especially through backyards, parking lots and alleyways.
• Have your key ready in hand, so your house door can be opened immediately.
• When arriving home by taxi or private vehicle, request the driver to wait and not leave until you are inside.

Safety Tips When Using Elevators

• If you live in an apartment where you know the other residents and find yourself in the lobby with a stranger, you can let him take the elevator and wait for it to return for you.
• If you are on the elevator and someone gets on whose presence makes you uneasy, get off at the next floor.
• Always stand near the control panel; if attacked, hit the alarm button and press as many of the other buttons as you can reach with your arm or elbow, enabling the door to open at any of several floors.

HOW TO HANDLE A SEXUAL ATTACK

• Report crime immediately to Police.
• Do not wash or douche.
• Have medical exam and internal gynecological exam as soon as possible accompanied by a police officer preferably.
• Inform doctor of exact acts committed upon you and have him note any medical evidence of them.
• Semen smears must be taken by a doctor.
• Doctor should note any bruises or injuries (bleeding, lacerations, etc.) external or internal.
• Have doctor test for venereal diseases, HIV/AIDS (and pregnancy later, if relevant).
• Inform police of all details of attack, however intimate, and of anything unusual you may have noted about the attacker. Remember, what he said and how he said it. It may lead to his arrest.
• Show police any external bruises or injuries, however minor resulting from attack.
• Also show them to a friend or relative who might be available as a corroborative witness at the trial.
• Give your undergarments to the police (for semen analysis, pubic hair samples or other biological evidence).
• Give any torn or stained clothing to the police.
• When calm, make note of events of attack, unusual detail, etc.

-Birdy