History Of Pornography
By: Thomas “Birdy” McKee
Background:
Internet PORNOGRAPHY is a battlefield in US law. Since the explosion of PUBLIC INTEREST in the Net in the 1990s, the public, lawmakers, and the courts have argued over how to control online porn. Congress and state legislatures have passed several laws aimed at protecting children from exposure to cyber porn, but the most sweeping of these have often failed to pass constitutional tests. The failure of these laws in court means this popular yet controversial medium faces few regulations. According to Forbes magazine, the online porn business in 2008 swelled to $1 billion a year, a significant part of a larger industry estimated to earn anywhere between $3 and $8 billion annually. In some respects, the issue continues a legal struggle many decades old. Opponents of pornography have long tried to control it on moral grounds, even as proponents sought to protect it as a valid expression of free speech. Traditionally, opponents won these battles. The Supreme Court established that Obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment, but the difficult question in each case has been defining what is and what is not obscene. Its rulings gradually shifted from a broad, forbidding position of the late 1950s to holding in the 1980s that communities could set their own standards for obscenity. Replayed in countless courtrooms, the tug-of-war between these camps has continued ever since. But the fight over cyber porn carries traditional arguments into new areas shaped by technology. A chief concern is that the Internet allows minors easy access to it through search engines—sometimes even accidentally. In 2001, US. Solicitor General Ted Olson contended that minors could stumble upon or intentionally enter 28,000 commercial porn websites. Also of worry is the Internets ability to facilitate the illegal dissemination of child pornography. And the ubiquity of Internet access has raised new social problems by introducing pornography into new settings, such as public libraries and the workplace. Milestones in the development of Internet pornography law include the following. The Supreme Court established that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment in Roth v. United States, (1957), declaring obscenity to be "utterly without redeeming social importance."
After subsequent cases showed the difficulty of finding a conclusive definition of obscenity, the Court restated its definition in Miller v. California, (1973). It substituted a detailed three-part test ultimately to be used by each locality—the "community standards" test.
The Court ruled that child pornography is not a form of expression protected under the constitution in New York v. Ferber, (1982), It has also upheld a state law prohibiting the possession and viewing of child porn in Osborne v. Ohio, (1990). Seeking to control Internet porn, Congress first passed legislation in 1996. The Communications Decency Act (CDA) criminalized the dissemination over computer networks of obscene or indecent material to children.. Immediately blocked from enforcement by the courts, it was ruled unconstitutional under the First Amendment in 1997.
Seeking to update federal child pornography law for the Internet, Congress passed the Child Pornography Prevention Act (CPPA) of 1996. Among other features, the law criminalized any visual depiction that "appears to be" child pornography, including virtual porn created by computer. After lower courts struck down provisions of the Statute, the US. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, with a verdict expected in late 2002.
The Child Online Protection Act (COPA) of 1998 revived the CDA by modifying its scope. COPA criminalized the use of the World Wide Web to sell material harmful to minors. Ruled unconstitutional, the case remained on appeal before the Supreme Court with a decision expected by summer 2002.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998 included Internet-specific provisions for reporting child pornography to authorities and prohibiting federal prisoners from being allowed unsupervised Internet usage.
Two federal laws regulate access to Internet pornography at libraries and schools, the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Internet Protection Act. Together, they require filtering software to be installed on computers in public schools and libraries as a condition for federal funding. Both laws were challenged in court in early 2002, with their outcome uncertain.
As these federal cases suggest, recent outcomes have favored those who regard federal control of Internet pornography as Censorship. That does not mean the issues are settled, as indeed partisans on both sides of the issue eagerly anticipate forthcoming court decisions on major cases in 2002.
Federal Restrictions on Cyber Porn
Child Pornography
Child pornography has long been treated severely under both federal and state law. Congress first addressed the issue with the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act of 1977. Lawmakers later toughened restrictions in the Child Protection Act of 1984, the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988, and the Child Protection Restoration and Penalties Enhancement Act of 1990. In the 1990s, lawmakers twice passed legislation targeting child porn online. The first was the Child Pornography Prevention Act (CPPA) of 1996, designed both to close loopholes in existing federal child pornography law and address new technological issues by the following:
Criminalizing the act of knowingly possessing, selling, receiving, sending, or transmitting child pornography via the internet or e-mail.
Criminalizing "virtual" depictions of child pornography, those that appear to involve minors and those created by computer graphics software.
Lower federal courts split over the constitutionality of some provisions in the law, and an appeal in Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition will be decided by the US. Supreme Court in 2002. The Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998 contains further anti-child porn provisions. Title II of the law contains the following provisions:
Provides for the prosecution of individuals for the production of child pornography if the visual depiction was produced with materials that have been mailed, shipped, or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, including by computer. Tightens previous federal law by making it a criminal offense to possess for even one depiction of child pornography. Outlines responsibilities for Internet Service Providers in reporting child pornography to authorities Increases federal criminal penalties for child pornography, which include fines and prison sentences ranging from 15 to 30 years.
Disseminating Cyber Porn to Minors
Although several federal laws have sought to control Internet porn, none has specifically tried to forbid it. In large part this is a recognition of the legal protections pornography enjoyed toward the end of the twentieth century. CASE LAW has established that much pornography is protected speech under the First Amendment. Obscenity is not protected. However, as the Supreme Court's "community standards" doctrine acknowledges, communities measure obscenity differently: what is likely to be considered obscene by a jury in Utah is not guaranteed to similarly move a jury in New York. The difficulty of formulating one broad standard of obscenity for all communities is made even greater by the Internet's being a global network, available everywhere at once.
Thus rather than trying to eliminate cyber porn, Congress has twice sought to protect children from exposure to it. These laws have yet to be enforced. Both wound up in court, where sections of each were ruled unconstitutional. Crucially, the fate of one law still remains as of 2002 on appeal. The Communications Decency Act (CDA) of 1996 was lawmakers' first attempt to regulate the availability of indecent and obscene material online to minors. The CDA prohibited the "knowing" dissemination of such material to minors over computer networks or telephone lines, establishing penalties for violations of up to five years Imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000. But it quickly fell to a legal challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and a coalition of major publishers. Bringing a traditional First Amendment case against censorship, they argued successfully that the law was too broad: in trying to protect kids, its prohibitions would have limited the speech of adults to a level suitable for children. After a special three-judge panel ruled against the law in Philadelphia in 1996, the Supreme Court by 7-2 vote in American Civil Liberties Union v. Reno,(1997), held that the law unconstitutionally abridged Freedom of Speech and thus struck down key provisions.
Seeking to draft a constitutionally viable law, Congress responded by passing the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) of 1998. More narrowly written, COPA took aim at commercial online porn sites that disseminate
material to minors. And, anticipating constitutional objections, it mandated that criminal cases brought under it would be tried according to contemporary community standards. The law set stiff penalties of $150,000 for each day of violation and up to six months in prison. However, COPA suffered similar setbacks in court after the ACLU and several non-pornographic online websites successfully contested it, first in federal district court in Philadelphia and then before the US. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. As before with the CDA, the Justice Dept. has continued to appeal; this time, it has argued that online porn is even more readily accessible to children and thus in need of urgent control. The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in late 2001 and was expected to rule on the case, Ashcroft v. ACLU, in summer 2002. If the Supreme Court reverses the two lower rulings, an enforceable COPA would represent a milestone in the evolution of Internet law. It would almost certainly open a flood of litigation by opponents of pornography and pose new, difficult questions of jurisdiction. But even if the Court finds the law unconstitutional, few legal observers believe this will be the last word. It is likely that legislators will continue to press forward to find other legal means to regulate the availability of online porn to minors.
Filtering in Federally-funded Public Schools and Libraries
In another attempt to protect children from exposure to cyber porn, Congress passed two laws in 2000 aimed at public schools and public libraries. Federally-funded institutions of this kind are required to put in effect Internet safety policies in order to continue qualifying for federal support. They must install Internet filters on their public computers: these are commercially-available software programs, with names like Cyber Patrol and Net Nanny, that intercept and block pornographic materials. Under the terms of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Internet Protection Act (NCIPA), filters had to be in place by 2001, although libraries were ultimately given extra time to comply. Proving as controversial as the CDA and COPA, the laws have been challenged by the American Library Association and civil liberties groups. They have argued that the law will result in censorship because it relies upon inaccurate technology, citing evidence that some software filters erroneously block non-pornographic material, too. Oral testimony on the case was heard in spring 2002, with a verdict expected later in the year.
State Laws On The Subject:
State laws on Internet pornography have evolved rapidly. Prior to the rise in popularity of the Internet, most states already had laws on the books regulating age limits for purchasing pornography as well as statutes
criminalizing child pornography. Many legislatures saw a need for legislation to respond to the vicissitudes of new technology. Between 1995 and 2002, nearly two dozen states considered bills that would control in some fashion access to Internet pornography. More than a dozen states enacted them. Closely resembling federal law, state laws break down into two broad categories. In the first and broadest, the laws forbid the access by minors to what the laws usually call "harmful materials"— verbal and visual information that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, pornography. Sometimes these laws target "indecent" material; for example, Oklahoma and New York law each criminalize the transmission of indecent materials to minors. Most state laws on transmission of indecent materials target exposure in public schools and libraries. Their remedy is to require, and in at least one case merely recommend, that these facilities install Internet filtering software on their computers. At least six states have passed such laws: Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington. Thirty-One more states were considering such legislation in 2008-2009. Like federal law, a second category of state law targets virtual child pornography. Aggressively defining this new category of criminal offense, these laws treat virtual porn as severely as actual photography of minors.
In the mid-to late 2000s, for instance, both Kansas and Montana expanded their existing statutes to prohibit transmission and possession of such images, while other states such as Missouri and Minnesota enacted new laws. Early court challenges, much more sweeping state cyber porn laws failed to pass constitutional tests in three states. In American Library Association v. Pataki (1997), a federal judge blocked enforcement of a New York statue prohibiting online indecency that had been modeled on the federal Communications Decency Act, ruling that it violated the Constitution's Commerce Clause. In ACLU v. Johnson (1998), a federal district judge ruled on First Amendment grounds that New Mexico could not enforce a law criminalizing the online dissemination of any expression that involves nudity or sexual content. And in another victory for First
Amendment advocates, a federal judge blocked Michigan's 1999 law criminalizing online communications deemed harmful to minors in Cyberspace v. Engler (1999). Like ongoing litigation over federal laws, the battle over state cyber porn law is far from over. Many legislatures are looking expectantly to the Supreme Court's 2002 decision on Internet filters before pursuing further legislation of their own. And still other states are trying new strategies, including more aggressive legislation that would put pressure on Internet service providers (ISPs) to supervise their customers: under a new Pennsylvania law enacted in 2002, owners and operators of ISPs will be responsible for blocking access to child pornography with high fines and prison sentences for violators. Ongoing action and controversy is likely in this area of law for the foreseeable future.
Additional Resources:
Constitutional Amendments: 1789 to the Present. Kris E. Palmer, ed., Gale Group, 2000.
Cyber Liberties. American Civil Liberties Union Website. Available at:
http://www.aclu.org/issues/cyber/hmcl.html.
Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition. US Department of Justice, 2000. Available at: http://www.usdoj.gov/osg/briefs/2000/3mer/2mer/2000-0795.me... .
State Internet Laws Face a Different Constitutional Challenge. Kaplan, Carl S., The New York Times, July 2, 1999.
U. S. Supreme Court Considering Law on 'Virtual Child Porn.' Kleder, Martha, Culture and Family Institute. Available at http://cultureandfamily.org/report/2001-11-08/n_childporn.s...
West Encyclopedia of American Law. Theresa J. Lippert, ed., West Group, 1998.
Organizations:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004 USA
Phone: (212) 549-2500
URL: http://www.aclu.org
Primary Contact: Nadine Strossen, President
American Family Association
PO. Box 2440
Tupelo, MS 38803 USA
Phone: (662) 844-5036
Fax: (662) 842-7798
URL: http://www.afa.net
Primary Contact: Donald E. Wildmon, President
Federal Bureau of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building, 935 Pennsylvania
Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20535-0001 USA
Phone: (202) 324-3000
URL: http://www.fbi.gov
Primary Contact: Robert S. Mueller III, Director
Additional information can be found at you State Attorney General's Office, or at your local police department. If you suspect that a person or persons are trafficking in child porn, I encourage you to report them to your local authorities.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What is a Robbery, and Tips to Avoid being a Victim of One
WHAT IS A ROBBERY:
Robbery is defined by the US department of Justice as: The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody or control from a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
This is different from mere theft, where force is not used against you personally, but objects are stolen. In short: Theft happens to your property. Robbery happens to you.
In theft your any damage will occur to the item stolen or other property (viz, your door kicked in by a burglar). With robbery the threat of harm is to you.
A pick pocket (who takes your wallet out of your purse) is not committing robbery, he is committing theft. Someone who walks up and puts a gun in your face and demands your purse is committing robbery. In a robbery, you are put in danger. This is why robbery is deemed a more serious crime. IF you are lucky, you will only be offered the threat of violence.
Why is Avoidance Best?
It might require you to take extra steps, it might even require you to hang up your cell phone and return to where you came from, but why is avoidance the best option?
Who's Going To Be Robbing You?
To understand both the dangers and why you want to avoid such situations, you might like to understand what kind of person commits robberies and muggings.
Kinds of robbery
Different states have different definitions and different statutes regarding robbery. But there are basic kinds of robbery and often what you do for a living or where you live determines what kind of robbery you are most likely to encounter.
Fringe areas
Most personal robberies occur in what we call "fringe areas." This is a common term that runs through our system. What constitutes a fringe area might surprise you.
Five Stages of Violent Crime
What are the predictable - and easily identified stages a violent crime MUST go through in order to happen? How to identify when you are being set up for a violent crime
Robbery avoidance
Avoidance sounds wimpy until you are staring down the barrel of a gun, then it begins to make all sorts of sense. Unfortunately, by then it is too late. It is far easier to avoid being robbed by taking simple and easy steps.
Car jacking
Much of what you can do to prevent your vehicle from being carjacked can be found in the robbery avoidance page, however, there are some things that are specific to carjacking.
Pyramid of personal Safety
The pyramid of Personal Safety is a multilevel system designed to both discourage and foil criminals from preying on you. It is a blanket protection against several kinds of crime ranging from burglary, robbery and stalking. The more levels you include the safer you will be.
Lethal force
For those of you who find the idea of using lethal force to protect yourself uncomfortable, it is critical to realize that it exactly the level of force, whether lethal or of grave bodily injury that the robber is offering you. And that means you ARE in serious danger.
Mental Preparation
The cost of "defending yourself"
Many people think about getting a weapon or training to protect themselves from robbery. Others are appalled by the idea. We maintain this is a personal decision for each person to make. If you do chose to acquire either weapon or training, however, you are not exempt from deploying an avoidance strategy. There is a psychological cost of using lethal force on another human being. What the following article discusses is some of the long term repercussions that one must expect--especially if you did not try to avoid the situation. The article was written to get through to you a young man who had cavalierly discussed the idea of using a knife on another human being, as such the language is somewhat rough being a "Wake up Junior." Although focused on knife use, it is applicable to any lethal force usage.
Lunch Time Lectures: Crime Prevention
For businesses in the Colorado Front Range area (Denver & Colorado Springs) we offer a one-hour "Lunch Time Lecture" on crime avoidance and personal safety. We travel to your office and lecture your staff on how not to be the victim of crime. This is not a self-defense seminar, it's how not to be selected as a victim.
WHAT TO DO DURING A ROBBERY:
Try to stay calm. Don't make any sudden movements to upset the robber.
Do exactly as you are told. DO NOT RESIST!
Activate your alarm ONLY if you can do so secretly.
Tell the robber about anything that might surprise him, such as someone who is expected to arrive soon.
If you have to move or reach, tell the robber what you are going to do and why.
Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him later.
Don't be a hero. It's better to lose your money than your life.
Give the robber time to leave.
Note his direction of travel when he leaves.
Try to get a description of his vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A ROBBERY:
Call the police immediately, even if you have already activated the alarm.
Close the store and lock the door(s) if you have a key.
Do not discuss the details of the robbery with witnesses or fellow employees.
Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they can't, get their names, phone numbers and addresses.
Do not touch anything that the robber may have touched. Block off areas where the robber was, if necessary.
Try to recall as much as you can about the robber's appearance, speech and mannerisms. Make notes.
Step outside the store when the police arrive so that they'll know the robber is gone and you are safe.
Let the police answer inquiries from the news media.
Do not discuss the amount of money taken with anyone other than police.
TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE AT HOME:
Do not allow strangers into your home, even if they are hurt or say they need help. Keep the door locked and call the police for them.
Do not advertise that you live alone.
Don't be afraid to call the police to investigate suspicious circumstances, unusual people or strange noises. It is better to be safe then sorry.
When you move into a new home, change the locks.
Keep your curtains or shades closed at night.
Don't leave notes on your door announcing when you will be home.
Keep outdoor lights on at night.
Never give information to an unknown caller. Report nuisance calls to the police and the telephone company.
Keep your doors and windows locked. If it is warm and you leave your door open for circulation, keep the screen door locked.
If you arrive home and your door is open or things appear to be out of place - don't go in your home. Leave and call the police.
Write down license numbers of suspicious vehicles to give to the police, if necessary.
TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE ON THE ROAD:
Keep your car in gear, doors locked, windows rolled up.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections and stop lights.
Park in areas that will be well lit when you return.
There is safety in numbers! Walk with friends or a in a group.
If you are being followed, don't drive home or get out. Drive to the nearest police station, open store or business for help. Try to note the license number and description of the car and persons following you.
Don't advertise. If you are out at night, don't wear expensive or fancy looking jewelry. This is an invitation to trouble.
If someone tries to get in your car while you are stopped - drive away quickly.
Don't use ATM machines at night. Plan ahead and get your cash during safer times. Use ATM machines that are very visible. Avoid isolated ATM machines.
When using valet parking, provide the parking clerk with the valet key that most car manufacturers provide now. This prevents strangers from looking in your glove compartment and trunk and finding personal information.
Walk in open, well lit areas.
Avoid carrying a purse, if you can.
TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE AT WORK:
Keep your front doors and windows clear of signs and posters to allow good, two way visibility. Employees can see suspicious persons outside. Passers-by and police can see inside.
Keep the outside of your business well lit at night.
Make sure your cash register area is clearly visible to outside observers.
Practice good cash control. Keep a minimum amount in your cash drawer and make regular drops into a safe.
Advertise outside that you keep a minimal amount of cash in the register and that you will not accept large bills.
Don't keep large bills under the cash drawer. If you don't have a safe, find a less obvious place to hide your extra cash until you go to the bank.
Use a safe that the clerk cannot open alone or that requires two keys. Post that fact conspicuously, including on the safe itself.
Use video camera surveillance and make it well known.
Always have at least two clerks working at night.
Vary your banking routine. Carry cash in a variety of ways - a lunch sack, attaché case, flight bag, pocket, etc. Money bags are pretty obvious.
Vary the times and routes that you use to go to the bank.
Make deposits as often as possible, never less than once a day.
Be alert for "customers" who seem to be loitering or glancing around the store while appearing to shop or browse through a magazine.
Watch for suspicious persons outside the business - especially in parked cars and around telephone booths.
If you see someone who is acting suspicious inside or outside, call the police to have them checked out.
Two persons should be on hand at opening and closing times.
At opening time, one person should enter the store and check to see if it has been disturbed.
Before closing, one person should check the office, back rooms and rest rooms to make sure no one is hiding inside.
Keep side and back doors locked. Have employees use the main entrance, if possible.
Place markers at the main entrance that employees can use to help gauge the height of a robber as he leaves.
By: Thomas "Birdy" McKee
Robbery is defined by the US department of Justice as: The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody or control from a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
This is different from mere theft, where force is not used against you personally, but objects are stolen. In short: Theft happens to your property. Robbery happens to you.
In theft your any damage will occur to the item stolen or other property (viz, your door kicked in by a burglar). With robbery the threat of harm is to you.
A pick pocket (who takes your wallet out of your purse) is not committing robbery, he is committing theft. Someone who walks up and puts a gun in your face and demands your purse is committing robbery. In a robbery, you are put in danger. This is why robbery is deemed a more serious crime. IF you are lucky, you will only be offered the threat of violence.
Why is Avoidance Best?
It might require you to take extra steps, it might even require you to hang up your cell phone and return to where you came from, but why is avoidance the best option?
Who's Going To Be Robbing You?
To understand both the dangers and why you want to avoid such situations, you might like to understand what kind of person commits robberies and muggings.
Kinds of robbery
Different states have different definitions and different statutes regarding robbery. But there are basic kinds of robbery and often what you do for a living or where you live determines what kind of robbery you are most likely to encounter.
Fringe areas
Most personal robberies occur in what we call "fringe areas." This is a common term that runs through our system. What constitutes a fringe area might surprise you.
Five Stages of Violent Crime
What are the predictable - and easily identified stages a violent crime MUST go through in order to happen? How to identify when you are being set up for a violent crime
Robbery avoidance
Avoidance sounds wimpy until you are staring down the barrel of a gun, then it begins to make all sorts of sense. Unfortunately, by then it is too late. It is far easier to avoid being robbed by taking simple and easy steps.
Car jacking
Much of what you can do to prevent your vehicle from being carjacked can be found in the robbery avoidance page, however, there are some things that are specific to carjacking.
Pyramid of personal Safety
The pyramid of Personal Safety is a multilevel system designed to both discourage and foil criminals from preying on you. It is a blanket protection against several kinds of crime ranging from burglary, robbery and stalking. The more levels you include the safer you will be.
Lethal force
For those of you who find the idea of using lethal force to protect yourself uncomfortable, it is critical to realize that it exactly the level of force, whether lethal or of grave bodily injury that the robber is offering you. And that means you ARE in serious danger.
Mental Preparation
The cost of "defending yourself"
Many people think about getting a weapon or training to protect themselves from robbery. Others are appalled by the idea. We maintain this is a personal decision for each person to make. If you do chose to acquire either weapon or training, however, you are not exempt from deploying an avoidance strategy. There is a psychological cost of using lethal force on another human being. What the following article discusses is some of the long term repercussions that one must expect--especially if you did not try to avoid the situation. The article was written to get through to you a young man who had cavalierly discussed the idea of using a knife on another human being, as such the language is somewhat rough being a "Wake up Junior." Although focused on knife use, it is applicable to any lethal force usage.
Lunch Time Lectures: Crime Prevention
For businesses in the Colorado Front Range area (Denver & Colorado Springs) we offer a one-hour "Lunch Time Lecture" on crime avoidance and personal safety. We travel to your office and lecture your staff on how not to be the victim of crime. This is not a self-defense seminar, it's how not to be selected as a victim.
WHAT TO DO DURING A ROBBERY:
Try to stay calm. Don't make any sudden movements to upset the robber.
Do exactly as you are told. DO NOT RESIST!
Activate your alarm ONLY if you can do so secretly.
Tell the robber about anything that might surprise him, such as someone who is expected to arrive soon.
If you have to move or reach, tell the robber what you are going to do and why.
Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him later.
Don't be a hero. It's better to lose your money than your life.
Give the robber time to leave.
Note his direction of travel when he leaves.
Try to get a description of his vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A ROBBERY:
Call the police immediately, even if you have already activated the alarm.
Close the store and lock the door(s) if you have a key.
Do not discuss the details of the robbery with witnesses or fellow employees.
Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they can't, get their names, phone numbers and addresses.
Do not touch anything that the robber may have touched. Block off areas where the robber was, if necessary.
Try to recall as much as you can about the robber's appearance, speech and mannerisms. Make notes.
Step outside the store when the police arrive so that they'll know the robber is gone and you are safe.
Let the police answer inquiries from the news media.
Do not discuss the amount of money taken with anyone other than police.
TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE AT HOME:
Do not allow strangers into your home, even if they are hurt or say they need help. Keep the door locked and call the police for them.
Do not advertise that you live alone.
Don't be afraid to call the police to investigate suspicious circumstances, unusual people or strange noises. It is better to be safe then sorry.
When you move into a new home, change the locks.
Keep your curtains or shades closed at night.
Don't leave notes on your door announcing when you will be home.
Keep outdoor lights on at night.
Never give information to an unknown caller. Report nuisance calls to the police and the telephone company.
Keep your doors and windows locked. If it is warm and you leave your door open for circulation, keep the screen door locked.
If you arrive home and your door is open or things appear to be out of place - don't go in your home. Leave and call the police.
Write down license numbers of suspicious vehicles to give to the police, if necessary.
TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE ON THE ROAD:
Keep your car in gear, doors locked, windows rolled up.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections and stop lights.
Park in areas that will be well lit when you return.
There is safety in numbers! Walk with friends or a in a group.
If you are being followed, don't drive home or get out. Drive to the nearest police station, open store or business for help. Try to note the license number and description of the car and persons following you.
Don't advertise. If you are out at night, don't wear expensive or fancy looking jewelry. This is an invitation to trouble.
If someone tries to get in your car while you are stopped - drive away quickly.
Don't use ATM machines at night. Plan ahead and get your cash during safer times. Use ATM machines that are very visible. Avoid isolated ATM machines.
When using valet parking, provide the parking clerk with the valet key that most car manufacturers provide now. This prevents strangers from looking in your glove compartment and trunk and finding personal information.
Walk in open, well lit areas.
Avoid carrying a purse, if you can.
TIPS ON PREVENTING ROBBERY
AND STAYING SAFE AT WORK:
Keep your front doors and windows clear of signs and posters to allow good, two way visibility. Employees can see suspicious persons outside. Passers-by and police can see inside.
Keep the outside of your business well lit at night.
Make sure your cash register area is clearly visible to outside observers.
Practice good cash control. Keep a minimum amount in your cash drawer and make regular drops into a safe.
Advertise outside that you keep a minimal amount of cash in the register and that you will not accept large bills.
Don't keep large bills under the cash drawer. If you don't have a safe, find a less obvious place to hide your extra cash until you go to the bank.
Use a safe that the clerk cannot open alone or that requires two keys. Post that fact conspicuously, including on the safe itself.
Use video camera surveillance and make it well known.
Always have at least two clerks working at night.
Vary your banking routine. Carry cash in a variety of ways - a lunch sack, attaché case, flight bag, pocket, etc. Money bags are pretty obvious.
Vary the times and routes that you use to go to the bank.
Make deposits as often as possible, never less than once a day.
Be alert for "customers" who seem to be loitering or glancing around the store while appearing to shop or browse through a magazine.
Watch for suspicious persons outside the business - especially in parked cars and around telephone booths.
If you see someone who is acting suspicious inside or outside, call the police to have them checked out.
Two persons should be on hand at opening and closing times.
At opening time, one person should enter the store and check to see if it has been disturbed.
Before closing, one person should check the office, back rooms and rest rooms to make sure no one is hiding inside.
Keep side and back doors locked. Have employees use the main entrance, if possible.
Place markers at the main entrance that employees can use to help gauge the height of a robber as he leaves.
By: Thomas "Birdy" McKee
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Car Jacking
CAR-JACKING
Copyright By: Thomas “Birdy” McKee, Jan. 2010.
One of the fastest growing criminal offense in America (and the rest of the World) today, these tips are designed to keep both you, your property, and your loved ones safe, should you become a victim of carjacking.
Carjacking is a relatively new breed as crimes go. Using violence to hijack commercial trucks filled with goods has been around ever since the wheel was invented. While it is pretty safe to assume that the first car was stolen shortly after the automobile was invented, car theft has normally been a nonviolent property crime. Until carjacking came around.
These days, many, if not most, car thefts are committed by organized rings. Stealing cars is big business. In fact, it has become not only interstate, but international -- worth billions of dollars a year. It casts a massive shadow that extends from the legitimate (insurance companies, shipping companies and car dealerships) to questionable (shady auto body shops, junkyards and auto parts suppliers) to avowed criminals (gangs, drug- and illegal-alien-running cartels).
Car theft rings often recruit gang members and pay them upwards of $1,000 for what is, in effect, an hour's "work." They are sent out to steal a certain type of car. An industrious pack of nonviolent thieves can gather several cars in one day, netting upwards to $10,000 for a days work.
With carjacking, however, acquiring a car becomes just a few seconds of "work" and without telltale signs of break-in.
The 1995 Honda Civic was the most-stolen car during 2009, according to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Of the top 10 most-stolen vehicles, six were Japanese brands. All four domestic vehicles on the list are light trucks, including one minivan. The NICB statistics are based on data from the FBI Uniform Crime Report.
Popularity and longevity have a lot to do with a vehicle's attractiveness as a theft target. Not only are there more vehicles available to steal, but as cars get older they require parts more frequently, creating demand for parts from stolen cars.
Types of vehicles stolen can vary by the region and state. For example, the 1999 Bombardier Ski-Doo snowmobile was one of the 10 most-stolen vehicles in Maine. In most Midwestern states, cars from Detroit-based manufacturers dominate the most-stolen cars lists with few, if any, foreign cars making the top 10.
Most stolen cars in 2009 included 1995 Honda Civic, 1989 Toyota Camry, 1991 Honda Accord, 1994 Dodge Caravan, 1994 Chevrolet full-size C/K 1500 pickup, 1997 Ford F150 pickup, 2003 Dodge Ram pickup, 1990 Acura Integra, 1988 Toyota pickup, 1991 Nissan Sentra.
Important Points to Know About Carjacking (the Bad News)
Carjacking is a felony offense. In the eyes of the law, it is a violent crime against the person. That makes it not only a felony, but a higher class one. While grand theft auto also is a felony since it is not violent, the sentencing is less severe. A carjacker is risking a far more severe penalty if he is caught than a regular car thief. A person who is stupid, lazy, violent and selfish enough to think that this is an acceptable risk is not going to suddenly start making smart decisions when he has a gun in your face.
You are dealing with a stupid, violent person with a track record of violence. And now is not the time to be a hero.
If you argue or resist a carjacker, the odds are you will be shot.
Like all robbers, the carjacker has come to the situation ready, willing and able to commit violence. While it may seem "it comes out of the blue" to you, the carjacker already has prepared himself to commit violence. You are literally playing against a stacked deck. Everything he needs to commit serious violence is in place at the same time you are surprised and shocked.
Unfortunately, most people have never faced such raw, unbridled violence. They suddenly find themselves dragged out of their normal, everyday parameters of existence and thrown into a strange -- and dangerous -- alien landscape. It's a place where none of the rules they are accustomed to apply. An effective strategy to "defend your space" under normal circumstances could in this instant get your brains blown into a fine pink mist.
Your normal defenses are not enough. Words, anger or outrage are insufficient to protect yourself against someone committed to violence. It is nearly impossible for the average citizen to effectively defend himself when confronted in such a wild and unexpected manner. To go instantly from thinking about scheduling the day or what you are going to have for dinner to the killing savagery necessary to overcome an armed opponent is beyond even most trained martial artists. And by the time you could muster enough outrage to effectively defend yourself, the carjacker would have long since pulled the trigger.
Carjackers seldom operate alone. Although you only may have seen the guy who stuck a gun in your face, chances are that there are more of them around. Car thieves in general and carjackers especially tend to operate in groups. Often a driver will stop, let one of the members out of his car and wait until the vehicle has been stolen. They will then caravan to a drop-off point, and the thief will rejoin his comrades. Working in this manner, a group of thieves can steal many cars in one night and split several thousand dollars.
If something goes wrong with the carjacking attempt (i.e., you miraculously defeat the carjacker in a blaze of kung-fu glory without getting shot) there is a very good chance that his cronies will open fire on you. And unlike the carjacker, the gunmen will not be close enough for you to karate chop him. No matter how good you think your martial prowess may be, you can't dodge bullets -- especially if you are trapped between two parked cars. This same problem applies to any firearm defense you might muster. You can easily find yourself in a firefight after shooting your primary attacker. These are situations where you will be responsible for where your bullets go and any rounds you might fire as the accomplices flee.
If the carjacker gets your purse, as well, now you have identity theft and burglary problems. It isn't just the loss of your car that will be the problem, important information and credit cards are often lost in carjackings. This means you have to go through the hassles of canceling credit cards, changing your locks (remember he not only has your address now, but your keys, too) and protecting yourself from identity theft.
This is why you must spot the problem developing in order to save both yourself and your vehicle. If you don't see it coming, the best you can hope for is to save yourself. And you do that by giving the carjacker what he wants without resistance and escaping with your life.
Important Points to Know About Carjacking
The Good News: There are two types of carjacking. The most common is when you walk to your car in a parking lot or street. The other is when you are in your car, but momentarily stopped (e.g., at a traffic light, entering traffic from a parking lot or turning).
The really good news is that what works to avoid being carjacked in the first example is the same as what you do to prevent yourself from being robbed. Those basic steps will go miles toward reducing your risk. By adding the following information and minor adjustments specific to carjacking, you can reduce your odds of being victimized even farther.
The other type of carjacking is best foiled by some simple measures.
Tips to Prevent Being Carjacked
What follows are minor additions to the information given on the robbery avoidance tips page. These apply directly to theft of your vehicle. The rarest form of carjacking is where the carjacker runs up to your car when you are stopped at a light, stop sign or parked, opens the door and drags you out. He then jumps in and drives away. For this type of carjacking.
Wear a Seat-belt
Not only can wearing a seatbelt save your life, but it also is a serious deterrent to carjackers.
A carjacking at a stoplight relies on speed. A carjacker has to open the door, quickly pull the person out of the vehicle, jump in and drive away. Locked doors and seatbelts slow down the process. He cannot gain access and pull you out of the car quickly. A would-be carjacker will see these conditions as he approaches and often abort the process.
When Stopped in Traffic,
Leave Enough Room to See the Rear Tires of the Car in Front of You
While it is commonly the first vehicle at a light that gets carjacked, the second car often can be targeted -- especially at stop signs and turn lanes where the car in front will be moving shortly. The idea is that by the time the carjacker pulls you out of your car, the car in front will have moved on.
Carjackings from stopped vehicles tend to occur in medium traffic levels. Gridlock is not conducive to a fast get away. Nor is the criminal going to be able to successfully steal your car when you are traveling 45 mph. Therefore, carjackings tend to happen in slow, stop or choke points (e.g., turn lanes, stop signs and driveway exits). These are places where the criminal will have the ability to quickly join other traffic and escape. The same elements that he needs in order to successfully carjack your vehicle can be used to foil his attempt.
By leaving enough space to see the tires of the car in front of you, you leave yourself room to maneuver. Different cars, SUVs and trucks have different turn radii so there is no hard and fast rule as to what this distance will be. But, generally speaking, being able to see the tires of the car in front of you over the hood of your vehicle should give you enough room.
If someone unexpectedly appears by your car door, you can -- with this space -- floor the accelerator and escape. There is no legitimate reason for a person to be in this position in the middle of traffic.
Although stopping at this distance can help prevent carjacking, it also is a safe driving practice. It can help keep your car from being pushed into the vehicle in front of you if your auto is rear-ended at a stoplight. It also helps prevent the car in front hitting your vehicle if it rolls back (as occasionally happens with stick shifts and bad drivers). And these kind of traffic accidents are more common than carjackings.
Remember: When it comes to carjacking, there is a risk of being shot at this point. Several factors come into play, however.
A) Although many carjackers have guns, many thefts are done by groups or at knife point -- especially in places where strict penalties exist for carrying a gun. (Remember, the criminal has to get to where he going to commit the crime. During that time, he is at risk of being stopped by a cop). So you are not always going to be facing a gun.
B)Many criminals are not good shots. The more distance between you and him, the safer you are.
C) It's hard to shoot straight while dodging out of the way to avoid being run over. Face it, your car is bigger than he is.
D) Modern triage methods have greatly increased your chances of surviving a single gunshot. Now this last one may not sound like much of a comfort, but it is important. Your chances of survival are far less if you are trapped and the criminal shoots you multiple times. Your chances of surviving are much greater if you are shot only once while fleeing. The latter strategy gets you out of range of being shot more than once. Cold comfort we know, but it is a pragmatic and realistic approach to a dangerous subject.
Immediately Lock Your Doors When You Get In Your Car
This is a good habit to get into anyway. It takes no more than a second, and you can proceed to ready yourself for travel in greater safety and at your leisure.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was once asked why he posted a line of cavalry around the camp. It was pointed out that any attack would easily punch through such a thin line. His response, "They buy us time. This way we don't wake up with the bastards in our tents." The same idea applies here. A locked door doesn't necessarily stop a carjacker. But it does prevent you from first learning of his presence when he grabs you and drags you out of your car at knife point.
If you wish, you can make it to your second action after putting keys in the ignition and starting the car. That way, while you put on your seatbelt and adjust your belongings, your car is warming up. This is actually good for your engine since most of the wear and tear occurs when it is started. If instead of immediately putting it into gear and driving, you let it warm up, you will significantly extend the life of your engine. If an emergency arises, you can simply slam the car into gear and escape.
In the presence of a gun, however, we recommend getting out and giving up your car. He can pull the trigger faster than you can put your vehicle in gear and drive away.
Do NOT Open the Door or Roll Down the Window to Talk to Someone.
It is usually a bad sign when someone unexpectedly appears at the side of your car. Like phone calls after 10 pm., it's not going to be good news. People who appear unexpectedly usually want something. If you decide to talk to them, do not open the door or roll the window down all the way.
Although a window won't stop a bullet, it can stop hands and knives. By only rolling your window down slightly, you prevent an attacker from reaching in, opening your door, snatching items from your person or robbing you at knife point.
You might also want to put the car in gear before you crack the window. If something is amiss, you can accelerate out of danger. If someone tells you something is wrong with your car do not get out and look. Thank them for the information and tell them you will look into it. Then drive away.
Be especially cognizant of such a person grabbing and working your car door handle. There is no legitimate reason for such an action. Actions such as knocking at your window are often used as a cover for this. If you see a criminal trying to work your door handle, immediately put your car in gear and start driving away.
The second -- and far more common -- form of carjacking, however, is when the thief simply walks up when you are getting into your car and puts a gun in your face. The carjacker then grabs your keys (and possibly your purse), jumps in and drives away. This type of carjacking resembles a typical robbery. Again we stress that most of the same measures that will keep you safe from robbery apply here.
Look Around Before You Put the Key into the Lock
This is the second check to do in a fringe area (the first is when you entered). Most carjackings occur in parking lots, as do many robberies and abductions. It is an excellent strategy to look around before you put yourself into a position where you can be trapped.
It is better still to look around as you approach the car. If a shady character is close by, keep on moving. Do not put yourself in the narrow gap between cars.
A quick scan will show if you have been followed. Most carjackings occur as you open the car door or are getting ready to drive away. Many people wrongly assume that when they reach their cars, they are safe. Not true. Even if you lock the door, if he has a gund he can shoot through the window. Or he can smash the window and threaten you with a knife. It is far better to spot someone approaching as you near your car than to try and extract yourself from a situation already gone bad.
Have Someone Time You to See How Long It Takes to Get into Your Car,
Start It and Drive Away
Many people think of their vehicle as "safety." But you will not be safe from a criminal on foot until your car is doing about 15 mph. This is why you should never try to reach your car if you think someone is trying to rob you. The time it takes to unlock your car, get in, start it, put it in gear, back out and drive away is too great.
Even when doing it as quickly as you can, this process is slow. Have someone start timing you at about 10 feet from the vehicle. Signal when you reach 15 mph in the car. Now see how much distance a person can cover in that time. The first time, again start 10 feet from your car and have the person helping you about 20 more feet behind you. That's 30 feet from your car. You have to unlock the car and get in before the person reaches you. Repeat this, gradually increasing the distance until the person can no longer reach you before you drive away.
If an unsavory character is within that distance and approaching, do not try to get in your car. He is close enough to get to you.
This also is why you always need to look around when you reach your car and again before you try to put the key in the door. Knowing how long it takes will prevent you from making a potentially deadly mistake if there is a carjacker approaching. Return to top of page
If Someone Approaches While You're Getting into Your Car, MOVE!
Do NOT stand there and watch him approach you: Control the distance by moving away from him.
Carjackers tend to work with partners. This is especially true, when they drive up to you as you are getting into your car. One jumps out and carjacks you while the other speeds away.
A carjacker must close with you to gain control of the situation. Your feet are not nailed to the ground. If someone approaches you, move! Preferably, around the hood of your car, which puts something between you and him; as well as giving you cover in case he starts shooting. But get away from the car door.
Throw Your Car Keys Your car keys go one way, you go another.
The criminal now has to choose, you or the car. If he is after your car, then his task is made more difficult because he has to go looking for the keys. If he decides to pursue you, then you know he wasn't really interested in the car after all. This tells you the extent of your danger and what response is warranted. If he pursues you, he is running away from his escape route -- whether that is your car or his friends in another vehicle.
Some might advocate throwing the keys at the criminal -- we do not. The reason we advocate throwing your keys away from the criminal is twofold. First, he is not harmed which makes him less likely to shoot. If you hurt him, he now has an investment in hurting you back. Second, if you throw your keys at him then you are giving him your keys. By throwing them away, you increase your chances of his not getting your car.
Get Theft Insurance
Certain cars are more likely to be targeted. Before you buy a new car, check with the police if that make of car is currently in the "Top 10" of stolen vehicles.
Cars are most often stolen for parts. The vehicle is chopped up and sold to body shops. The body shop pays $1,000 on a part that the manufacturer would charge $5,000 for. The shop turns around and charges you the dealer price and mark up. By doing this the shop made an additional $4,000 profit. This particular risk of theft lasts until enough of the car model becomes easily available in the junkyards -- where parts can be legally purchased for a reduced price.
If given a choice between filing
an insurance claim or getting shot, giving up your car suddenly looks much more appealing.
Get A Lojack, On Star or Other Tracking Device
A locating system on your car can do wonders for getting it back before it is chopped up and also can help lower insurance rates with some agencies.
Stolen cars are often taken to large parking lots and left for a few days. Due to the high number of auto thefts, descriptions of stolen cars only stay on the "hot sheets" for a short time. (Hot sheets are listings and descriptions of newly stolen cars used for quick reference by law enforcement.) On cars that have been "stashed" for a few days, the only way to tell if they have been stolen is to pull them over and "run the numbers." By simply waiting a few days, thieves greatly reduce their chances of being caught.
If your car has a locating system, however, all it takes is a phone call to have it found. If you make the call fast enough, you can often have the criminal arrested while still in the car.
Having both insurance and this kind of system will do wonders for your willingness to let the criminal have your car. This will lessen the chances of you foolishly trying to resist a carjacker, who gets the drop on you. And cell phones are faster than driving.
If Despite All this Information, a Carjacker Gets the Drop on You,
Give Him Your Car Keys
It sounds so stupidly obvious to say this, but the number of people who are killed or wounded by carjackers every year, prove that people do it.
Do NOT attempt to argue, fight or resist someone who has a gun screwed up your nose!
Accept that he won this round and give him your keys.
The carjacker has come prepared for violence. You, on the other hand, were just getting into your car. It is an incredibly rare person who can flash into committing lethal violence. In fact by the time most people can get over their shock and decide to resist, the criminal has already pulled the trigger.
Even if you could make that mental jump that fast, it only takes a second to pull the trigger. Can you inflict lethal force that fast? That is what it would take to keep you teeth from being blown out of the back of your skull when the criminal has the drop on you.
Furthermore, at that range, the criminal will not just shoot you once, but repeatedly. This is why we suggest -- if you lapsed in awareness and personal safety habits and allowed a carjacker to close with you -- you just give up your car and accept the fact you have some identity theft, burglary and insurance problems coming your way. Alive with problems is better than dead or in the ICU with a sucking chest wound.
Why Are Carjackings More Dangerous?
While any kind of robbery is dangerous, carjackings take on a particularly nasty twist because the vehicles themselves create walls and limit your options.
In the Five Stages of Violent Crime, the third stage is called "positioning." This is where the criminal puts himself into position to successfully attack you. One of the types of positioning is cornering/trapping. That is where the criminal 'pins' you between himself and a large object (such as the car). The presence of a car -- and often the car door as well -- seriously limits your mobility and increases your chances of being trapped. Even in an open parking lot, the presence of four cars can create a "hallway" that makes it easy to shoot you.
This is why you need to remember to flee in front of or behind your car. Do not run down the "hallway" between cars since that leaves you in the line of fire. By cutting in front of your vehicle or another, you put something between you and the criminal. Even if the cars are parked against the wall, there is often room for you to wiggle through. If not, scramble over the car's hood or trunk.
The main idea, however, is to flee the scene ASAP.
Copyright By: Thomas “Birdy” McKee, Jan. 2010.
One of the fastest growing criminal offense in America (and the rest of the World) today, these tips are designed to keep both you, your property, and your loved ones safe, should you become a victim of carjacking.
Carjacking is a relatively new breed as crimes go. Using violence to hijack commercial trucks filled with goods has been around ever since the wheel was invented. While it is pretty safe to assume that the first car was stolen shortly after the automobile was invented, car theft has normally been a nonviolent property crime. Until carjacking came around.
These days, many, if not most, car thefts are committed by organized rings. Stealing cars is big business. In fact, it has become not only interstate, but international -- worth billions of dollars a year. It casts a massive shadow that extends from the legitimate (insurance companies, shipping companies and car dealerships) to questionable (shady auto body shops, junkyards and auto parts suppliers) to avowed criminals (gangs, drug- and illegal-alien-running cartels).
Car theft rings often recruit gang members and pay them upwards of $1,000 for what is, in effect, an hour's "work." They are sent out to steal a certain type of car. An industrious pack of nonviolent thieves can gather several cars in one day, netting upwards to $10,000 for a days work.
With carjacking, however, acquiring a car becomes just a few seconds of "work" and without telltale signs of break-in.
The 1995 Honda Civic was the most-stolen car during 2009, according to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Of the top 10 most-stolen vehicles, six were Japanese brands. All four domestic vehicles on the list are light trucks, including one minivan. The NICB statistics are based on data from the FBI Uniform Crime Report.
Popularity and longevity have a lot to do with a vehicle's attractiveness as a theft target. Not only are there more vehicles available to steal, but as cars get older they require parts more frequently, creating demand for parts from stolen cars.
Types of vehicles stolen can vary by the region and state. For example, the 1999 Bombardier Ski-Doo snowmobile was one of the 10 most-stolen vehicles in Maine. In most Midwestern states, cars from Detroit-based manufacturers dominate the most-stolen cars lists with few, if any, foreign cars making the top 10.
Most stolen cars in 2009 included 1995 Honda Civic, 1989 Toyota Camry, 1991 Honda Accord, 1994 Dodge Caravan, 1994 Chevrolet full-size C/K 1500 pickup, 1997 Ford F150 pickup, 2003 Dodge Ram pickup, 1990 Acura Integra, 1988 Toyota pickup, 1991 Nissan Sentra.
Important Points to Know About Carjacking (the Bad News)
Carjacking is a felony offense. In the eyes of the law, it is a violent crime against the person. That makes it not only a felony, but a higher class one. While grand theft auto also is a felony since it is not violent, the sentencing is less severe. A carjacker is risking a far more severe penalty if he is caught than a regular car thief. A person who is stupid, lazy, violent and selfish enough to think that this is an acceptable risk is not going to suddenly start making smart decisions when he has a gun in your face.
You are dealing with a stupid, violent person with a track record of violence. And now is not the time to be a hero.
If you argue or resist a carjacker, the odds are you will be shot.
Like all robbers, the carjacker has come to the situation ready, willing and able to commit violence. While it may seem "it comes out of the blue" to you, the carjacker already has prepared himself to commit violence. You are literally playing against a stacked deck. Everything he needs to commit serious violence is in place at the same time you are surprised and shocked.
Unfortunately, most people have never faced such raw, unbridled violence. They suddenly find themselves dragged out of their normal, everyday parameters of existence and thrown into a strange -- and dangerous -- alien landscape. It's a place where none of the rules they are accustomed to apply. An effective strategy to "defend your space" under normal circumstances could in this instant get your brains blown into a fine pink mist.
Your normal defenses are not enough. Words, anger or outrage are insufficient to protect yourself against someone committed to violence. It is nearly impossible for the average citizen to effectively defend himself when confronted in such a wild and unexpected manner. To go instantly from thinking about scheduling the day or what you are going to have for dinner to the killing savagery necessary to overcome an armed opponent is beyond even most trained martial artists. And by the time you could muster enough outrage to effectively defend yourself, the carjacker would have long since pulled the trigger.
Carjackers seldom operate alone. Although you only may have seen the guy who stuck a gun in your face, chances are that there are more of them around. Car thieves in general and carjackers especially tend to operate in groups. Often a driver will stop, let one of the members out of his car and wait until the vehicle has been stolen. They will then caravan to a drop-off point, and the thief will rejoin his comrades. Working in this manner, a group of thieves can steal many cars in one night and split several thousand dollars.
If something goes wrong with the carjacking attempt (i.e., you miraculously defeat the carjacker in a blaze of kung-fu glory without getting shot) there is a very good chance that his cronies will open fire on you. And unlike the carjacker, the gunmen will not be close enough for you to karate chop him. No matter how good you think your martial prowess may be, you can't dodge bullets -- especially if you are trapped between two parked cars. This same problem applies to any firearm defense you might muster. You can easily find yourself in a firefight after shooting your primary attacker. These are situations where you will be responsible for where your bullets go and any rounds you might fire as the accomplices flee.
If the carjacker gets your purse, as well, now you have identity theft and burglary problems. It isn't just the loss of your car that will be the problem, important information and credit cards are often lost in carjackings. This means you have to go through the hassles of canceling credit cards, changing your locks (remember he not only has your address now, but your keys, too) and protecting yourself from identity theft.
This is why you must spot the problem developing in order to save both yourself and your vehicle. If you don't see it coming, the best you can hope for is to save yourself. And you do that by giving the carjacker what he wants without resistance and escaping with your life.
Important Points to Know About Carjacking
The Good News: There are two types of carjacking. The most common is when you walk to your car in a parking lot or street. The other is when you are in your car, but momentarily stopped (e.g., at a traffic light, entering traffic from a parking lot or turning).
The really good news is that what works to avoid being carjacked in the first example is the same as what you do to prevent yourself from being robbed. Those basic steps will go miles toward reducing your risk. By adding the following information and minor adjustments specific to carjacking, you can reduce your odds of being victimized even farther.
The other type of carjacking is best foiled by some simple measures.
Tips to Prevent Being Carjacked
What follows are minor additions to the information given on the robbery avoidance tips page. These apply directly to theft of your vehicle. The rarest form of carjacking is where the carjacker runs up to your car when you are stopped at a light, stop sign or parked, opens the door and drags you out. He then jumps in and drives away. For this type of carjacking.
Wear a Seat-belt
Not only can wearing a seatbelt save your life, but it also is a serious deterrent to carjackers.
A carjacking at a stoplight relies on speed. A carjacker has to open the door, quickly pull the person out of the vehicle, jump in and drive away. Locked doors and seatbelts slow down the process. He cannot gain access and pull you out of the car quickly. A would-be carjacker will see these conditions as he approaches and often abort the process.
When Stopped in Traffic,
Leave Enough Room to See the Rear Tires of the Car in Front of You
While it is commonly the first vehicle at a light that gets carjacked, the second car often can be targeted -- especially at stop signs and turn lanes where the car in front will be moving shortly. The idea is that by the time the carjacker pulls you out of your car, the car in front will have moved on.
Carjackings from stopped vehicles tend to occur in medium traffic levels. Gridlock is not conducive to a fast get away. Nor is the criminal going to be able to successfully steal your car when you are traveling 45 mph. Therefore, carjackings tend to happen in slow, stop or choke points (e.g., turn lanes, stop signs and driveway exits). These are places where the criminal will have the ability to quickly join other traffic and escape. The same elements that he needs in order to successfully carjack your vehicle can be used to foil his attempt.
By leaving enough space to see the tires of the car in front of you, you leave yourself room to maneuver. Different cars, SUVs and trucks have different turn radii so there is no hard and fast rule as to what this distance will be. But, generally speaking, being able to see the tires of the car in front of you over the hood of your vehicle should give you enough room.
If someone unexpectedly appears by your car door, you can -- with this space -- floor the accelerator and escape. There is no legitimate reason for a person to be in this position in the middle of traffic.
Although stopping at this distance can help prevent carjacking, it also is a safe driving practice. It can help keep your car from being pushed into the vehicle in front of you if your auto is rear-ended at a stoplight. It also helps prevent the car in front hitting your vehicle if it rolls back (as occasionally happens with stick shifts and bad drivers). And these kind of traffic accidents are more common than carjackings.
Remember: When it comes to carjacking, there is a risk of being shot at this point. Several factors come into play, however.
A) Although many carjackers have guns, many thefts are done by groups or at knife point -- especially in places where strict penalties exist for carrying a gun. (Remember, the criminal has to get to where he going to commit the crime. During that time, he is at risk of being stopped by a cop). So you are not always going to be facing a gun.
B)Many criminals are not good shots. The more distance between you and him, the safer you are.
C) It's hard to shoot straight while dodging out of the way to avoid being run over. Face it, your car is bigger than he is.
D) Modern triage methods have greatly increased your chances of surviving a single gunshot. Now this last one may not sound like much of a comfort, but it is important. Your chances of survival are far less if you are trapped and the criminal shoots you multiple times. Your chances of surviving are much greater if you are shot only once while fleeing. The latter strategy gets you out of range of being shot more than once. Cold comfort we know, but it is a pragmatic and realistic approach to a dangerous subject.
Immediately Lock Your Doors When You Get In Your Car
This is a good habit to get into anyway. It takes no more than a second, and you can proceed to ready yourself for travel in greater safety and at your leisure.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was once asked why he posted a line of cavalry around the camp. It was pointed out that any attack would easily punch through such a thin line. His response, "They buy us time. This way we don't wake up with the bastards in our tents." The same idea applies here. A locked door doesn't necessarily stop a carjacker. But it does prevent you from first learning of his presence when he grabs you and drags you out of your car at knife point.
If you wish, you can make it to your second action after putting keys in the ignition and starting the car. That way, while you put on your seatbelt and adjust your belongings, your car is warming up. This is actually good for your engine since most of the wear and tear occurs when it is started. If instead of immediately putting it into gear and driving, you let it warm up, you will significantly extend the life of your engine. If an emergency arises, you can simply slam the car into gear and escape.
In the presence of a gun, however, we recommend getting out and giving up your car. He can pull the trigger faster than you can put your vehicle in gear and drive away.
Do NOT Open the Door or Roll Down the Window to Talk to Someone.
It is usually a bad sign when someone unexpectedly appears at the side of your car. Like phone calls after 10 pm., it's not going to be good news. People who appear unexpectedly usually want something. If you decide to talk to them, do not open the door or roll the window down all the way.
Although a window won't stop a bullet, it can stop hands and knives. By only rolling your window down slightly, you prevent an attacker from reaching in, opening your door, snatching items from your person or robbing you at knife point.
You might also want to put the car in gear before you crack the window. If something is amiss, you can accelerate out of danger. If someone tells you something is wrong with your car do not get out and look. Thank them for the information and tell them you will look into it. Then drive away.
Be especially cognizant of such a person grabbing and working your car door handle. There is no legitimate reason for such an action. Actions such as knocking at your window are often used as a cover for this. If you see a criminal trying to work your door handle, immediately put your car in gear and start driving away.
The second -- and far more common -- form of carjacking, however, is when the thief simply walks up when you are getting into your car and puts a gun in your face. The carjacker then grabs your keys (and possibly your purse), jumps in and drives away. This type of carjacking resembles a typical robbery. Again we stress that most of the same measures that will keep you safe from robbery apply here.
Look Around Before You Put the Key into the Lock
This is the second check to do in a fringe area (the first is when you entered). Most carjackings occur in parking lots, as do many robberies and abductions. It is an excellent strategy to look around before you put yourself into a position where you can be trapped.
It is better still to look around as you approach the car. If a shady character is close by, keep on moving. Do not put yourself in the narrow gap between cars.
A quick scan will show if you have been followed. Most carjackings occur as you open the car door or are getting ready to drive away. Many people wrongly assume that when they reach their cars, they are safe. Not true. Even if you lock the door, if he has a gund he can shoot through the window. Or he can smash the window and threaten you with a knife. It is far better to spot someone approaching as you near your car than to try and extract yourself from a situation already gone bad.
Have Someone Time You to See How Long It Takes to Get into Your Car,
Start It and Drive Away
Many people think of their vehicle as "safety." But you will not be safe from a criminal on foot until your car is doing about 15 mph. This is why you should never try to reach your car if you think someone is trying to rob you. The time it takes to unlock your car, get in, start it, put it in gear, back out and drive away is too great.
Even when doing it as quickly as you can, this process is slow. Have someone start timing you at about 10 feet from the vehicle. Signal when you reach 15 mph in the car. Now see how much distance a person can cover in that time. The first time, again start 10 feet from your car and have the person helping you about 20 more feet behind you. That's 30 feet from your car. You have to unlock the car and get in before the person reaches you. Repeat this, gradually increasing the distance until the person can no longer reach you before you drive away.
If an unsavory character is within that distance and approaching, do not try to get in your car. He is close enough to get to you.
This also is why you always need to look around when you reach your car and again before you try to put the key in the door. Knowing how long it takes will prevent you from making a potentially deadly mistake if there is a carjacker approaching. Return to top of page
If Someone Approaches While You're Getting into Your Car, MOVE!
Do NOT stand there and watch him approach you: Control the distance by moving away from him.
Carjackers tend to work with partners. This is especially true, when they drive up to you as you are getting into your car. One jumps out and carjacks you while the other speeds away.
A carjacker must close with you to gain control of the situation. Your feet are not nailed to the ground. If someone approaches you, move! Preferably, around the hood of your car, which puts something between you and him; as well as giving you cover in case he starts shooting. But get away from the car door.
Throw Your Car Keys Your car keys go one way, you go another.
The criminal now has to choose, you or the car. If he is after your car, then his task is made more difficult because he has to go looking for the keys. If he decides to pursue you, then you know he wasn't really interested in the car after all. This tells you the extent of your danger and what response is warranted. If he pursues you, he is running away from his escape route -- whether that is your car or his friends in another vehicle.
Some might advocate throwing the keys at the criminal -- we do not. The reason we advocate throwing your keys away from the criminal is twofold. First, he is not harmed which makes him less likely to shoot. If you hurt him, he now has an investment in hurting you back. Second, if you throw your keys at him then you are giving him your keys. By throwing them away, you increase your chances of his not getting your car.
Get Theft Insurance
Certain cars are more likely to be targeted. Before you buy a new car, check with the police if that make of car is currently in the "Top 10" of stolen vehicles.
Cars are most often stolen for parts. The vehicle is chopped up and sold to body shops. The body shop pays $1,000 on a part that the manufacturer would charge $5,000 for. The shop turns around and charges you the dealer price and mark up. By doing this the shop made an additional $4,000 profit. This particular risk of theft lasts until enough of the car model becomes easily available in the junkyards -- where parts can be legally purchased for a reduced price.
If given a choice between filing
an insurance claim or getting shot, giving up your car suddenly looks much more appealing.
Get A Lojack, On Star or Other Tracking Device
A locating system on your car can do wonders for getting it back before it is chopped up and also can help lower insurance rates with some agencies.
Stolen cars are often taken to large parking lots and left for a few days. Due to the high number of auto thefts, descriptions of stolen cars only stay on the "hot sheets" for a short time. (Hot sheets are listings and descriptions of newly stolen cars used for quick reference by law enforcement.) On cars that have been "stashed" for a few days, the only way to tell if they have been stolen is to pull them over and "run the numbers." By simply waiting a few days, thieves greatly reduce their chances of being caught.
If your car has a locating system, however, all it takes is a phone call to have it found. If you make the call fast enough, you can often have the criminal arrested while still in the car.
Having both insurance and this kind of system will do wonders for your willingness to let the criminal have your car. This will lessen the chances of you foolishly trying to resist a carjacker, who gets the drop on you. And cell phones are faster than driving.
If Despite All this Information, a Carjacker Gets the Drop on You,
Give Him Your Car Keys
It sounds so stupidly obvious to say this, but the number of people who are killed or wounded by carjackers every year, prove that people do it.
Do NOT attempt to argue, fight or resist someone who has a gun screwed up your nose!
Accept that he won this round and give him your keys.
The carjacker has come prepared for violence. You, on the other hand, were just getting into your car. It is an incredibly rare person who can flash into committing lethal violence. In fact by the time most people can get over their shock and decide to resist, the criminal has already pulled the trigger.
Even if you could make that mental jump that fast, it only takes a second to pull the trigger. Can you inflict lethal force that fast? That is what it would take to keep you teeth from being blown out of the back of your skull when the criminal has the drop on you.
Furthermore, at that range, the criminal will not just shoot you once, but repeatedly. This is why we suggest -- if you lapsed in awareness and personal safety habits and allowed a carjacker to close with you -- you just give up your car and accept the fact you have some identity theft, burglary and insurance problems coming your way. Alive with problems is better than dead or in the ICU with a sucking chest wound.
Why Are Carjackings More Dangerous?
While any kind of robbery is dangerous, carjackings take on a particularly nasty twist because the vehicles themselves create walls and limit your options.
In the Five Stages of Violent Crime, the third stage is called "positioning." This is where the criminal puts himself into position to successfully attack you. One of the types of positioning is cornering/trapping. That is where the criminal 'pins' you between himself and a large object (such as the car). The presence of a car -- and often the car door as well -- seriously limits your mobility and increases your chances of being trapped. Even in an open parking lot, the presence of four cars can create a "hallway" that makes it easy to shoot you.
This is why you need to remember to flee in front of or behind your car. Do not run down the "hallway" between cars since that leaves you in the line of fire. By cutting in front of your vehicle or another, you put something between you and the criminal. Even if the cars are parked against the wall, there is often room for you to wiggle through. If not, scramble over the car's hood or trunk.
The main idea, however, is to flee the scene ASAP.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Avoiding Rape and/or Sexual Assault
RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
By: Thomas “Birdy” McKee
Copyright 2010, by: BirdyMcKee
How can I lower my risk of sexual assault?
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.
Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out there and what’s going on.
Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your space.
Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
Have your key ready to use before you reach the door — home, car, or work.
Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”
How can I help someone who has been sexually assaulted?
You can help someone who is abused or who has been assaulted by listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the police, the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that s/he is not at fault and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed.
For More Information
For more information on sexual assault, contact the National Women’s Health Information Center at 800-994-9662 or the following organizations:
Division of Violence Prevention, NCIPC, CDC, HHS
Phone: (770) 488-4362
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/index.html
Office on Violence Against Women, OJP, DOJ
Phone: (800) 799-7233
Internet Address: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Phone: (800) 692-7445
Internet Address: http://www.nsvrc.org
National Center for Victims of Crime
Phone: (800) 394-2255
Internet Address: http://www.ncvc.org
National Crime Prevention Council
Phone: (202) 466-6272
Internet Address: http://www.ncpc.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: (800) 799-SAFE
Internet Address: http://www.ndvh.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Phone: (877) 739-3895
Internet Address: http://www.nsvrc.org
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Phone: (202) 544-1034
What are date rape drugs?
These are drugs that are sometimes used to assist a sexual assault. Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to. It can include touching that is not okay; putting something into the vagina; sexual intercourse; rape; and attempted rape. These drugs are powerful and dangerous. They can be slipped into your drink when you are not looking. The drugs often have no color, smell, or taste, so you can't tell if you are being drugged. The drugs can make you become weak and confused — or even pass out — so that you are unable to refuse sex or defend yourself. If you are drugged, you might not remember what happened while you were drugged. Date rape drugs are used on both females and males.
The three most common date rape drugs are:
Rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol). Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam (FLOO-neye-TRAZ-uh-pam). Abuse of two similar drugs appears to have replaced Rohypnol abuse in some parts of the United States. These are: clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S.and Rivotril in Mexico) and alprazolam (marketed as Xanax). Rohypnol is also known as:
Circles
Forget Pill
LA Rochas
Lunch Money
Mexican Valium
Mind Erasers
Poor Man's Quaalude
R-2
Rib
Roach
Roach-2
Roches
Roofies
Roopies
Rope
Rophies
Ruffies
Trip-and-Fall
Whiteys
GHB, which is short for gamma hydroxybutyric (GAM-muh heye-DROX-ee-BYOO-tur-ihk) acid. GHB is also known as:
Bedtime Scoop
Cherry Meth
Easy Lay
Energy Drink
G
Gamma 10
Georgia Home Boy
G-Juice
Gook
Goop
Great Chickens
Great Hormones
Great Loving
Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
Liquid E
Liquid Ecstasy
Liquid X
PM
Salt Water
Soap
Somatomax
Vita-G
Ketamine (KEET-uh-meen), also known as:
Black Hole
Bump
Cat Valium
Green
Jet
K
K-Hole
Kit Kat
Psychedelic Heroin
Purple
Special K
Super Acid
These drugs also are known as "club drugs" because they tend to be used at dance clubs, concerts, and "raves." The term "date rape" is widely used. But most experts prefer the term "drug-facilitated sexual assault." These drugs also are used to help people commit other crimes, like robbery and physical assault. They are used on both men and women. The term "date rape" also can be misleading because the person who commits the crime might not be dating the victim. Rather, it could be an acquaintance or stranger.
What do the drugs look like?
Rohypnol comes as a pill that dissolves in liquids. Some are small, round, and white. Newer pills are oval and green-gray in color. When slipped into a drink, a dye in these new pills makes clear liquids turn bright blue and dark drinks turn cloudy. But this color change might be hard to see in a dark drink, like cola or dark beer, or in a dark room. Also, the pills with no dye are still available. The pills may be ground up into a powder.
GHB has a few forms: a liquid with no odor or color, white powder, and pill. It might give your drink a slightly salty taste. Mixing it with a sweet drink, such as fruit juice, can mask the salty taste.
Ketamine comes as a liquid and a white powder.
What effects do these drugs have on the body?
These drugs are very powerful. They can affect you very quickly and without your knowing. The length of time that the effects last varies. It depends on how much of the drug is taken and if the drug is mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Alcohol makes the drugs even stronger and can cause serious health problems — even death.
Rohypnol
The effects of Rohypnol can be felt within 30 minutes of being drugged and can last for several hours. If you are drugged, you might look and act like someone who is drunk. You might have trouble standing. Your speech might be slurred. Or you might pass out. Rohypnol can cause these problems:
Muscle relaxation or loss of muscle control
Difficulty with motor movements
Drunk feeling
Problems talking
Nausea
Can't remember what happened while drugged
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Confusion
Problems seeing
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Lower blood pressure
Stomach problems
Death
GHB
GHB takes effect in about 15 minutes and can last 3 or 4 hours. It is very potent: A very small amount can have a big effect. So it's easy to overdose on GHB. Most GHB is made by people in home or street "labs." So, you don't know what's in it or how it will affect you. GHB can cause these problems:
Relaxation
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea
Problems seeing
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Seizures
Can't remember what happened while drugged
Problems breathing
Tremors
Sweating
Vomiting
Slow heart rate
Dream-like feeling
Coma
Death
Ketamine
Ketamine is very fast-acting. You might be aware of what is happening to you, but unable to move. It also causes memory problems. Later, you might not be able to remember what happened while you were drugged. Ketamine can cause these problems:
Distorted perceptions of sight and sound
Lost sense of time and identity
Out of body experiences
Dream-like feeling
Feeling out of control
Impaired motor function
Problems breathing
Convulsions
Vomiting
Memory problems
Numbness
Loss of coordination
Aggressive or violent behavior
Depression
High blood pressure
Slurred speech
Are these drugs legal in the United States?
Some of these drugs are legal when lawfully used for medical purposes. But that doesn't mean they are safe. These drugs are powerful and can hurt you. They should only be used under a doctor's care and order.
Rohypnol is NOT legal in the United States. It is legal in Europe and Mexico, where it is prescribed for sleep problems and to assist anesthesia before surgery. It is brought into the United States illegally.
Ketamine is legal in the United States for use as an anesthetic for humans and animals. It is mostly used on animals. Veterinary clinics are robbed for their ketamine supplies.
GHB was recently made legal in the United States to treat problems from narcolepsy (a sleep disorder). Distribution of GHB for this purpose is restricted, and more tightly controlled.
Is alcohol a date rape drug? What about other drugs?
Any drug that can affect judgment and behavior can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity. Alcohol is one such drug. In fact, alcohol is the drug most commonly used to help commit sexual assault. When a person drinks too much alcohol:
It's harder to think clearly.
It's harder to set limits and make good choices.
It's harder to tell when a situation could be dangerous.
It's harder to say "no" to sexual advances.
It's harder to fight back if a sexual assault occurs.
It's possible to blackout and to have memory loss.
The club drug "ecstasy" (MDMA) has been used to commit sexual assault. It can be slipped into someone's drink without the person's knowledge. Also, a person who willingly takes ecstasy is at greater risk of sexual assault. Ecstasy can make a person feel "lovey-dovey" towards others. It also can lower a person's ability to give reasoned consent. Once under the drug's influence, a person is less able to sense danger or to resist a sexual assault. Even if a victim of sexual assault drank alcohol or willingly took drugs, the victim is NOT at fault for being assaulted. You cannot "ask for it" or cause it to happen.
How can I protect myself from being a victim?
Don't accept drinks from other people.
Open containers yourself.
Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom.
Don't share drinks.
Don't drink from punch bowls or other common, open containers. They may already have drugs in them.
If someone offers to get you a drink from a bar or at a party, go with the person to order your drink. Watch the drink being poured and carry it yourself.
Don't drink anything that tastes or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB tastes salty.
Have a non-drinking friend with you to make sure nothing happens.
If you realize you left your drink unattended, pour it out.
If you feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol — or, if you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual — get help right away.
Are there ways to tell if I might have been drugged and raped?
It is often hard to tell. Most victims don't remember being drugged or assaulted. The victim might not be aware of the attack until 8 or 12 hours after it occurred. These drugs also leave the body very quickly. Once a victim gets help, there might be no proof that drugs were involved in the attack. But there are some signs that you might have been drugged:
You feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol — or, you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual.
You wake up feeling very hung over and disoriented or having no memory of a period of time.
You remember having a drink, but cannot recall anything after that.
You find that your clothes are torn or not on right.
You feel like you had sex, but you cannot remember it.
What should I do if I think I’ve been drugged and raped?
Get medical care right away. Call 911 or have a trusted friend take you to a hospital emergency room. Don't urinate, douche, bathe, brush your teeth, wash your hands, change clothes, or eat or drink before you go. These things may give evidence of the rape. The hospital will use a "rape kit" to collect evidence.
Call the police from the hospital. Tell the police exactly what you remember. Be honest about all your activities. Remember, nothing you did — including drinking alcohol or doing drugs — can justify rape.
Ask the hospital to take a urine (pee) sample that can be used to test for date rape drugs. The drugs leave your system quickly. Rohypnol stays in the body for several hours, and can be detected in the urine up to 72 hours after taking it. GHB leaves the body in 12 hours. Don't urinate before going to the hospital.
Don't pick up or clean up where you think the assault might have occurred. There could be evidence left behind — such as on a drinking glass or bed sheets.
Get counseling and treatment. Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and shock are normal. A counselor can help you work through these emotions and begin the healing process. Calling a crisis center or a hotline is a good place to start. One national hotline is the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE .
For more information
For more information on date rape drugs, please call womenshealth.gov at:
1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:
Drug Enforcement Administration, DOJ Phone: (202) 307-1000
Internet Address: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea
Food and Drug Administration, OPHS, HHS
Phone: (800) 332-4010 Hotline or (888) 463-6332 (Consumer Information)
Internet Address: http://www.fda.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
Phone: (800) 662-4357 Hotline or (800) 662-9832 Spanish Language Hotline
Internet Address: http://www.drugabuse.gov
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Phone: (800) 666-3332 (Information Clearinghouse)
Internet Address: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/index.html
Men Can Stop Rape Phone: (202) 265-6530
Internet Address: http://www.mencanstoprape.org
National Center for Victims of Crime Phone: (800) 394-2255
Internet Address: http://www.ncvc.org
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Phone: (800) 656-4673 (656-HOPE)
Internet Address: http://www.rainn.org
By: Thomas “Birdy” McKee
Copyright 2010, by: BirdyMcKee
How can I lower my risk of sexual assault?
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.
Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out there and what’s going on.
Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your space.
Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
Have your key ready to use before you reach the door — home, car, or work.
Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”
How can I help someone who has been sexually assaulted?
You can help someone who is abused or who has been assaulted by listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the police, the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that s/he is not at fault and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed.
For More Information
For more information on sexual assault, contact the National Women’s Health Information Center at 800-994-9662 or the following organizations:
Division of Violence Prevention, NCIPC, CDC, HHS
Phone: (770) 488-4362
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/index.html
Office on Violence Against Women, OJP, DOJ
Phone: (800) 799-7233
Internet Address: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Phone: (800) 692-7445
Internet Address: http://www.nsvrc.org
National Center for Victims of Crime
Phone: (800) 394-2255
Internet Address: http://www.ncvc.org
National Crime Prevention Council
Phone: (202) 466-6272
Internet Address: http://www.ncpc.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: (800) 799-SAFE
Internet Address: http://www.ndvh.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Phone: (877) 739-3895
Internet Address: http://www.nsvrc.org
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Phone: (202) 544-1034
What are date rape drugs?
These are drugs that are sometimes used to assist a sexual assault. Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to. It can include touching that is not okay; putting something into the vagina; sexual intercourse; rape; and attempted rape. These drugs are powerful and dangerous. They can be slipped into your drink when you are not looking. The drugs often have no color, smell, or taste, so you can't tell if you are being drugged. The drugs can make you become weak and confused — or even pass out — so that you are unable to refuse sex or defend yourself. If you are drugged, you might not remember what happened while you were drugged. Date rape drugs are used on both females and males.
The three most common date rape drugs are:
Rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol). Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam (FLOO-neye-TRAZ-uh-pam). Abuse of two similar drugs appears to have replaced Rohypnol abuse in some parts of the United States. These are: clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S.and Rivotril in Mexico) and alprazolam (marketed as Xanax). Rohypnol is also known as:
Circles
Forget Pill
LA Rochas
Lunch Money
Mexican Valium
Mind Erasers
Poor Man's Quaalude
R-2
Rib
Roach
Roach-2
Roches
Roofies
Roopies
Rope
Rophies
Ruffies
Trip-and-Fall
Whiteys
GHB, which is short for gamma hydroxybutyric (GAM-muh heye-DROX-ee-BYOO-tur-ihk) acid. GHB is also known as:
Bedtime Scoop
Cherry Meth
Easy Lay
Energy Drink
G
Gamma 10
Georgia Home Boy
G-Juice
Gook
Goop
Great Chickens
Great Hormones
Great Loving
Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
Liquid E
Liquid Ecstasy
Liquid X
PM
Salt Water
Soap
Somatomax
Vita-G
Ketamine (KEET-uh-meen), also known as:
Black Hole
Bump
Cat Valium
Green
Jet
K
K-Hole
Kit Kat
Psychedelic Heroin
Purple
Special K
Super Acid
These drugs also are known as "club drugs" because they tend to be used at dance clubs, concerts, and "raves." The term "date rape" is widely used. But most experts prefer the term "drug-facilitated sexual assault." These drugs also are used to help people commit other crimes, like robbery and physical assault. They are used on both men and women. The term "date rape" also can be misleading because the person who commits the crime might not be dating the victim. Rather, it could be an acquaintance or stranger.
What do the drugs look like?
Rohypnol comes as a pill that dissolves in liquids. Some are small, round, and white. Newer pills are oval and green-gray in color. When slipped into a drink, a dye in these new pills makes clear liquids turn bright blue and dark drinks turn cloudy. But this color change might be hard to see in a dark drink, like cola or dark beer, or in a dark room. Also, the pills with no dye are still available. The pills may be ground up into a powder.
GHB has a few forms: a liquid with no odor or color, white powder, and pill. It might give your drink a slightly salty taste. Mixing it with a sweet drink, such as fruit juice, can mask the salty taste.
Ketamine comes as a liquid and a white powder.
What effects do these drugs have on the body?
These drugs are very powerful. They can affect you very quickly and without your knowing. The length of time that the effects last varies. It depends on how much of the drug is taken and if the drug is mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Alcohol makes the drugs even stronger and can cause serious health problems — even death.
Rohypnol
The effects of Rohypnol can be felt within 30 minutes of being drugged and can last for several hours. If you are drugged, you might look and act like someone who is drunk. You might have trouble standing. Your speech might be slurred. Or you might pass out. Rohypnol can cause these problems:
Muscle relaxation or loss of muscle control
Difficulty with motor movements
Drunk feeling
Problems talking
Nausea
Can't remember what happened while drugged
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Confusion
Problems seeing
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Lower blood pressure
Stomach problems
Death
GHB
GHB takes effect in about 15 minutes and can last 3 or 4 hours. It is very potent: A very small amount can have a big effect. So it's easy to overdose on GHB. Most GHB is made by people in home or street "labs." So, you don't know what's in it or how it will affect you. GHB can cause these problems:
Relaxation
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea
Problems seeing
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Seizures
Can't remember what happened while drugged
Problems breathing
Tremors
Sweating
Vomiting
Slow heart rate
Dream-like feeling
Coma
Death
Ketamine
Ketamine is very fast-acting. You might be aware of what is happening to you, but unable to move. It also causes memory problems. Later, you might not be able to remember what happened while you were drugged. Ketamine can cause these problems:
Distorted perceptions of sight and sound
Lost sense of time and identity
Out of body experiences
Dream-like feeling
Feeling out of control
Impaired motor function
Problems breathing
Convulsions
Vomiting
Memory problems
Numbness
Loss of coordination
Aggressive or violent behavior
Depression
High blood pressure
Slurred speech
Are these drugs legal in the United States?
Some of these drugs are legal when lawfully used for medical purposes. But that doesn't mean they are safe. These drugs are powerful and can hurt you. They should only be used under a doctor's care and order.
Rohypnol is NOT legal in the United States. It is legal in Europe and Mexico, where it is prescribed for sleep problems and to assist anesthesia before surgery. It is brought into the United States illegally.
Ketamine is legal in the United States for use as an anesthetic for humans and animals. It is mostly used on animals. Veterinary clinics are robbed for their ketamine supplies.
GHB was recently made legal in the United States to treat problems from narcolepsy (a sleep disorder). Distribution of GHB for this purpose is restricted, and more tightly controlled.
Is alcohol a date rape drug? What about other drugs?
Any drug that can affect judgment and behavior can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity. Alcohol is one such drug. In fact, alcohol is the drug most commonly used to help commit sexual assault. When a person drinks too much alcohol:
It's harder to think clearly.
It's harder to set limits and make good choices.
It's harder to tell when a situation could be dangerous.
It's harder to say "no" to sexual advances.
It's harder to fight back if a sexual assault occurs.
It's possible to blackout and to have memory loss.
The club drug "ecstasy" (MDMA) has been used to commit sexual assault. It can be slipped into someone's drink without the person's knowledge. Also, a person who willingly takes ecstasy is at greater risk of sexual assault. Ecstasy can make a person feel "lovey-dovey" towards others. It also can lower a person's ability to give reasoned consent. Once under the drug's influence, a person is less able to sense danger or to resist a sexual assault. Even if a victim of sexual assault drank alcohol or willingly took drugs, the victim is NOT at fault for being assaulted. You cannot "ask for it" or cause it to happen.
How can I protect myself from being a victim?
Don't accept drinks from other people.
Open containers yourself.
Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom.
Don't share drinks.
Don't drink from punch bowls or other common, open containers. They may already have drugs in them.
If someone offers to get you a drink from a bar or at a party, go with the person to order your drink. Watch the drink being poured and carry it yourself.
Don't drink anything that tastes or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB tastes salty.
Have a non-drinking friend with you to make sure nothing happens.
If you realize you left your drink unattended, pour it out.
If you feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol — or, if you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual — get help right away.
Are there ways to tell if I might have been drugged and raped?
It is often hard to tell. Most victims don't remember being drugged or assaulted. The victim might not be aware of the attack until 8 or 12 hours after it occurred. These drugs also leave the body very quickly. Once a victim gets help, there might be no proof that drugs were involved in the attack. But there are some signs that you might have been drugged:
You feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol — or, you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual.
You wake up feeling very hung over and disoriented or having no memory of a period of time.
You remember having a drink, but cannot recall anything after that.
You find that your clothes are torn or not on right.
You feel like you had sex, but you cannot remember it.
What should I do if I think I’ve been drugged and raped?
Get medical care right away. Call 911 or have a trusted friend take you to a hospital emergency room. Don't urinate, douche, bathe, brush your teeth, wash your hands, change clothes, or eat or drink before you go. These things may give evidence of the rape. The hospital will use a "rape kit" to collect evidence.
Call the police from the hospital. Tell the police exactly what you remember. Be honest about all your activities. Remember, nothing you did — including drinking alcohol or doing drugs — can justify rape.
Ask the hospital to take a urine (pee) sample that can be used to test for date rape drugs. The drugs leave your system quickly. Rohypnol stays in the body for several hours, and can be detected in the urine up to 72 hours after taking it. GHB leaves the body in 12 hours. Don't urinate before going to the hospital.
Don't pick up or clean up where you think the assault might have occurred. There could be evidence left behind — such as on a drinking glass or bed sheets.
Get counseling and treatment. Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and shock are normal. A counselor can help you work through these emotions and begin the healing process. Calling a crisis center or a hotline is a good place to start. One national hotline is the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE .
For more information
For more information on date rape drugs, please call womenshealth.gov at:
1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:
Drug Enforcement Administration, DOJ Phone: (202) 307-1000
Internet Address: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea
Food and Drug Administration, OPHS, HHS
Phone: (800) 332-4010 Hotline or (888) 463-6332 (Consumer Information)
Internet Address: http://www.fda.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
Phone: (800) 662-4357 Hotline or (800) 662-9832 Spanish Language Hotline
Internet Address: http://www.drugabuse.gov
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Phone: (800) 666-3332 (Information Clearinghouse)
Internet Address: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/index.html
Men Can Stop Rape Phone: (202) 265-6530
Internet Address: http://www.mencanstoprape.org
National Center for Victims of Crime Phone: (800) 394-2255
Internet Address: http://www.ncvc.org
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Phone: (800) 656-4673 (656-HOPE)
Internet Address: http://www.rainn.org
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Times are changing
Do you remember when, you had just run out of ink in your printer's ink cartridge and you just had to have another, but the stores are closed? Here's at tip for those who actually don't know just what is going on with all those empty ink cartridges that people turn in, feeling that they are "saving the planet." You see, the major printer companies are taking those cartridges and simply removing the label, which [if you do this, you'll see] there's a fill hole for extra ink, so that cartridge that most people blindly throw into the recyclers at their local store [or other place for recycling]; the major companies, remove the label, refill through that hole that was placed there during manufacturing, relabel it, repackage the same and "Viola" resell it back to you at their (often) inflated prices. Se here's your tip, if you are out of ink, simply remove the label, re drill the hole a small bit larger {or enlarge the hole} and refill the ink supply with, get this, "Liquid watercolor" that is sold at most craft stores, for 10 oz @ $4.00 something. You must, however, place a bit of tape over the hole to prevent spillage. This method usually works for most printer cartridges, with the lone exception of Canon, this cartridge actually needs a hold (at least 3/8" or larger drilled into the reservoir). This is very simple, so stop throwing away your hard earned money, and refill your own ink supply. {Note here, a standard all-in-one printer, costs about $200.00, ink costs at around $50.00 be cartridge, refill your own cartridges at a cost of about $2.00; you same $45.00 plus, using this method, do it five or six times and you've just bought yourself a new printer with the savings. One ink cartridge can usually be refilled for as long as the external circuit board [the plastic where all the shiny metal is] is not damaged, this is usually around 14 or so times, if each black ink cartridge costs {let's say} $40.00, and the printer costs, uh, $200.00, refilling your ink (with water color, or other dark watery substance) cost plus/minus $2.00, if you do the math, your potential savings, per cartridge, can easily add up to whether one eats out or stays in several times]. Personally, I've been known to use Blackberry Koolaid, Coffee (instant), watercolor, or just plain ink. You decide. Do you want to pay a Major Corporation, $40.00 to $50.00 for a product, where the same product could potentially only cost less than two bucks each?
{BirdyMcKee, does not assume responsibility for any damage incurred from any equipment that uses any type of ink supply to print, nor any other responsibility associated with the use of the above article.}
{BirdyMcKee, does not assume responsibility for any damage incurred from any equipment that uses any type of ink supply to print, nor any other responsibility associated with the use of the above article.}
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The day's are young, as we grow older
I am finding more and more people these days, lacking the respect that needs be given to the last generation. As a person grows older, s/he may not be as vigurous as most people, and yet as society grow even bigger and bigger, with more and more people, the last generation is at a loss to those traditions that should be pased from one person tonothe, but the younger generation, seem not to care. Many of these traditions, that span many lifetimes, should be kept aive by the next generation, if only out of respect for their parents, gandparents, friends, neighbors, etc. One of the most beautiful acts that I have seen within the last four months, was a homeless man opening the door of a supermarket fr a much older woman, nd then assisting her to carry her things to her car. Even though this man had nothing, he took the time to show this one person tha people still cared about the previous generation. If nothing else, I applaud this person. Fo the "days are young, and we must all grow older."
-Birdy
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