1. Make a habit of always letting someone you trust know where you are going and when you expect to return.  Let someone know how to reach you and keep your cell phone charged and handy.

2. Park in well-lit areas and don’t hesitate to ask someone to walk you to your car.  Malls have security guards, colleges have walking/shuttle services and you can and should take advantage of them. 

3. Always be aware of your environment.  Running (or walking) with headphones or your cell phone takes away one of your best tools for taking in your environment and makes you a target for attackers who look for easy victims.  This is true for public transportation as well.  Be aware of those around you and don’t get lost in a text message or video games on your phone. 

4. Walk with confidence and purpose—don’t cower or avoid eye-contact.  Attackers tend to look for easy victims and by walking with confidence you make yourself less of a target.  If you feel you are being followed, glancing in a store window beside you makes for a great rear-view mirror.  If you aren’t sure, cross the street and then cross back.  If they still follow you it is no coincidence. 

5. If you are approached in a way that makes you uncomfortable, say so.  Clearly.  Look the person in the eye and tell them to leave you alone.  “Leave me alone!”, “Back off!”, or “I don’t want to talk to you!” are all good options.  Don’t worry about making a scene.  It is better to be embarrassed than it is to be assaulted.

6. If you are attacked, yell and do something.  Attackers are looking for an easy victim.  They don’t want to draw attention to the situation and most attackers don’t want a victim who fights back.

7. Never EVER get into a car with a stranger or someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.  Run, scream, fight, and do anything you have to do, but once you are in the attacker’s car, the attacker has control of the situation and, statistically, you are likely to be more seriously hurt.

8. Alcohol and drugs impair your ability to think clearly and keep yourself safe.  They also impair your awareness of your environment as well as your own actions and non-verbal communication.  Alcohol and/or drugs are involved in the vast majority of sexual assaults.  Protect yourself by keeping your mind clear and your body capable of fighting back.

9. Use the Buddy System.  When you were little you were told to always use the buddy system.  Growing up doesn’t weaken that lesson.  If you go out to a club or to a party, have a buddy and stick together.  Know where your buddy is and keep an eye out for each other. 

10. Trust your instincts.  If a situation or a person makes you feel uncomfortable, trust those instincts, figure out why or just get out of there.  Don’t just accept a ride or help from a stranger because you don’t want to be rude.  It is better to be a bit rude than it is to be attacked.  If a situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right.

11. Be careful what information you share about yourself both on and off-line.  Never give out personal information to people you don’t know well.   Predators take the information that they learn about their victims online and use it to gain access to the person.  Be extremely cautious when meeting an online acquaintance in person; do so in a public place and make sure that someone knows where you are.

 

There are many, many more suggestions that we could add to this list.  Most of all, we encourage you to make the safety of yourself and your loved ones a part of your conscious thought.  Use your head, use your voice, trust your gut, and always do something.  Finally, please remember an attack is NEVER the fault of the victim.  If you have been attacked, seek help and support and know that you were a victim and are not to blame.