How to Prevent Rape

A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

1. The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2. The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who's clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.

3. They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.

4. Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00a.m. and 8:30a.m.

5. The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages. Number three is public restrooms.

6. The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.

7. Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.

8. If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9. These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

10. If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists that were interviewed said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Remember, they are looking for an EASY target.

The following tips have been learned through first hand experience by fellow officers, witness and crime victim testimony, or from self-defense classes at the police academy.

1. If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk: 'I can't believe it is so cold out here,' 'we're in for a bad winter.' Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.

2. If you carry pepper spray (our instructor is a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes), yell loudly I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY. Hold it out in plain sight and it will be a deterrent.

3. If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERY VERY HARD. One woman in our self defense class said she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts.

4. After the initial hit, always go for the GROIN. If you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.

5. When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. My self defense instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

6. Of course, the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!

7. If it is dark and/or you are unfamiliar with your surroundings, don't get into your car and then fasten your seatbelt. Start your car and drive away, fastening your seatbelt as you drive or at the next convenient stop.

8. If someone tries to get into your car or approaches your car in an aggressive manner, do not steer away from him. Instead, steer your car toward him; his automatic instinct will be to jump AWAY from the car. You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

9. Tip from Tae Kwon Do - the elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, then do it!

10. One of our officers learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, do NOT hand it to him. Toss it away from you ... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than in you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. So toss it and run like mad in the other direction!

11. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

12. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.). DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave.

13. If you do happen to get in your car and a stranger is inside and puts a gun to your head, DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead, gun the car engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat, they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

14. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:
a. Be aware at all times and look around you; look inside you car before entering it - look at the passenger side floor and in the back seat.
b. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
c. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

15. It is always better to be safe than sorry - and better paranoid than dead.

16. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at night.

17. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zig-zag pattern!

18. The majority of women usually try to be sympathetic without considering the potential danger. STOP doing this because it may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

Please pass these rape prevention tips along to your friends and loved ones. It never hurts to be prepared in case of a criminal attack. If you have any other helpful info, feel free to share it by leaving a comment.