RAPE IS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE

Rape is an act of violence perpetrated against another person. The topic of rape is not a pleasant one, but it is a subject that women of all ages, races and nationalities should take serious enough to find out about. There is no age limit as to who might get raped and might not get raped. In fact a rape victim can be as young a 6 months and as old as 95+ years.

In the past, people felt safe and secure behind the locked doors of their own homes. Studies have shown that the 65% of all female rapes that took place in, has happened inside the victim's own home.

Women should always know their caller before they open the door. If the caller says that he has legitimate business inside the home or apartment, the woman should be sure to closely examine his credentials and personal identification. A serial rapist once stated that he could gain access to his victim's residences simply by looking business like.

The Following are Important Tips on How to Avoid and Prevent Being Raped:

* The first reaction, if possible, is to get away from that danger as quick as possible and run away screaming for help.

* Risk areas: Even if it is daytime, late hours or at night, avoid risk areas such as dark places, dimly lit areas, lonely places, bushy areas, short-cuts and being alone in a room with a man other than your husband, fiancée, brother, or other trusted relative.

* Alertness, this is very Important: Walk with eyes and ears open, so that you know what is happening around you. Rapists can grab you, knock you down, tear your clothes or even use drugs.

* Company: It is a good practice especially when it’s late to walk in company of known friends, workmates or schoolmates. In case a rapist strike, they can easily raise alarm and get help when you are many. Being one, rather than many, reduces the chances of fighting off a would-be attacker.

* Suspicion: Never trust men completely unless he is your husband or fiancée. A rapist can be strangers or people whom you know well; they do not often have any outward signs.

* Take care during dates or parties and make sure that the venue is a public place, have an interest to know how drinks or food are served. You should be aware of the motive behind that party or date.

* Mode of dressing: When you are at home, school, place of work or anywhere else, make sure you wear clothes which do not embarrass you, or which attract too much negative attention from men/boys.

* Parental guidance: Try to avoid sending your daughters late at night to the shops, stores, or to other peoples’ homes’ or anywhere else. Do not leave your daughters no matter how young with male strangers or distant relatives that you are not sure of, or do not completely trust.

* Do not accept lifts from people you do not know, these could be cars, bikes, trucks, boats or even motorcycles.

* Do not accept money, sweet things and snack foods from people you do not know, especially strangers or even male neighbors.

* When a man starts seductive signals, praises and giving you gifts, be careful avoid and say no to all these.

Some Attacks and counter measures:

* Scream for help; if not possible use your teeth to bite his hand.

* If he still does not release the grip, get hold of his gripping hand with your free hand and go under his armpit twisting his arm outside inwards this will injure or even break his arm.

* If that site has mud or sand, bend down scoop some and splash in his eyes to distort his visibility.

* If you can reach his face, harden your two fingers or one and poke very hard in his eyes to distort visibility.

* It is good practice to wear hard soled shoes, or steel toed shoes/boots so that you can use them to hit very hard on his kneecap or shin and this will automatically immobilize him.

* With your leg you can also hit very hard in between his legs and you will have demolished his organ temporarily, causing great pain and temporarily lessen his intent to carry out the assault.

* Using your other hand, pass it over the gripped hand and get hold of the fingers of your gripped hand tightly and tilt it backwards upwards to release the grip.

Strangulation either front or behind with both his hands

* Tighten your neck muscles so that you may not run out of oxygen.

* With your hands, try to get hold of his last small fingers and forcefully thrust pulling them outside and away from your neck.

* Use your knee and hit very hard in between his legs to disable him.

* Alternatively you can hit his knee, or shin with your hard soled shoes.

Body grab from behind.

* Use elbow to hit his body sides very hard and also lean forward a bit and hit between his legs in a reverse position, or you can hit his solar plexus.

* If you notice him coming in haste avoid his grabbing hands by quickly leaning down wards this works only if he is attacking you by grabbing you around the upper torso and depends on the level of his attack.

Pulling you while holding your hands in front

Create some space in between your hands after making them tight, cross them go under and out to release the hold. If it proves difficult use your feet to hit on the shin, kneecap or between the legs or any other area of his body.

Mouth gagging and hind neck holding

Get hold of the last finger of the hand gagging your mouth and pull it sideways away from your mouth and using the other hand hit him with the elbow.

Please Keep in mind

Avoid situations and lifestyles that could lead you to be raped. Not all men are bad, there are only few misbehaving most of them are very respectful, caring and good fathers, husbands brothers, uncles, grandfathers, neighbors and friends. So do not condemn them in general. A few bad apples in the Barrel does not make the barrel full of bad apples.

-Birdy