Recognizing Danger Signs And Signs To Watch Out For:
MOST WOMEN ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE when an acquaintance or date's actions
begin to escalate toward rape. A woman is less likely to identify threatening behaviour in a
friend than in a stranger. Also, because the man is known to the victim, she may not think
of screaming for help, hitting him, or running away, or she may not even realize she is in
danger until it is too late.
Danger signs to be aware of:
someone who doesn't respect your "no" and continues to make sexual advances;
someone who acts in an intimidating way;
someone who doesn't view you as an equal;
someone who talks negatively about women in general;
someone who is extremely possessive, to the point of making you uncomfortable;
someone who doesn't listen or respond when asked to leave your home, car, etc.
BE PREPARED - WOMEN DO NOT CAUSE RAPE, rapists do. However, there are
things women can do to reduce their risk of becoming a victim.
1.You have the right to set sexual limits and to communitcate those limits. Know what
your limits are before engaging in sexual activity and tell your partner clearly.
2.Be Assertive: Forget the cultural training that taught you to be coy. Being feminine
does not mean being passive.
3.Stay Aware: your best chance for staying in control is not to lose touch with what's
happening around you. If you drink, do so in moderation. Alcohol is often involved in
sexual assault situations.
4.Find Out About A New Date: Double date with friends. Ask around to find out about
him from other women he has dated. Don't leave a party, a bar or anywhere else
with a man you don't know very well.
5.Remain in Control: On a date, pay your own way so that the date is not interpreted
as a transaction in which you "owe" the man something.
6.Trust Your Feelings: If you re getting bad vibes about a guy, don't assume there's
something wrong with you.
7.For first year university students: the Red Zone of danger is the period between
move-in day and the first holiday break. Why? Because these young women are
especially vulnerable as they don't know campus routines or geography, they may
be feeling insecure and alone, yet may be eager to test the limits of a parentless
society by drinking too much and partying a lot - behaviour that will win them peer
approval.
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