|  Here are a few tips I gathered for women to protect yourself:
- 85% of women KNOW their attackers. When on a date or when out with a man you feel uncomfortable around, make sure you stay in very public places. If possible, carry a cell phone to make a phone call.
- Don't list your first name in the phonebook or on the mailbox. Use your first initial and last name. Often rapists will come to your door, claiming to know you, and while you puzzle over where you know them from, will force entry into your house. Better to be safe than sorry.
-Use deadbolts, peepholes, outside motion-sensor security lights, put timers on your TV or lights if you're away or sleeping.
-Plan several escape routes from your home for a variety of situations. Try to have phones available close at hand in several places in your home (bedroom, office, living room, kitchen, etc) for emergencies.
- Learn to notice details about people: height, weight, eye color, facial hair, identifying markings, teeth, accent, clothing. Even in everyday situations, noticing what people are wearing or details about them helps to hone your observational abilities. If you are attacked or raped, you can help prevent it from happening to more people with a bang on description of the attacker and gain justice for yourself by putting him behind bars. It's also helpful to notice landmarks -- if you need to call 911 but aren't sure of your location, identifying what's around you or what you passed on the way there is helpful in getting help to you quicker.
-Trust your intuition. If things seem off, don't ignore those feelings, call a friend or family member (and let them know your location and who you are with as well as your feelings about the situation), maybe a cab or friend to pick you up. If you're in a public place, stop a waitress or bartender and tell them you need help so they're aware of your discomfort.
-If you are being attacked and you can scream loud enough that residences near you would hear, yell "FIRE" instead of "HELP". Unfortunately, a lot people hear the word 'Help' and either assume it's a situation they don't want to involve themselves in, or it's kids joking around. "Fire" gets everyone's attention because it could cause a direct threat to them, as well.
-If you're being attacked, something that is surprisingly successful is acting as though you're going to vomit in your attacker's face. You may also try kneeing or kicking them in the groin, twisting the tender skin on the inside of the arm if it is bare or hitting them in the solar plexus so that they lose their breath, then you can get out of their grasp and escape. This is only recommended when it's a short distance to safety and you feel you can outrun your attacker. Do what feels right, and know that whatever you do that gets you out alive is the right thing to do. Even if you don't struggle, if you survive, it was right. There are no rights and wrongs for evading a rapist or attacker and surviving.
-On the street, walk purposefully. Don't stroll aimlessly; stay alert to possible danger. Avoid walking down dark alleys, near doorways or bushes or past suspicious looking people.
-When approaching your doorway, try to avoid carrying heavy bags or parcels, and keep your keys in your hand. Worst case scenario is that you can use your keys as a weapon, and a popular tactic for some rapists to use is waiting until a woman is busily searching her purse for her keys or shuffling bags and parcels around in her arms to try to open the door. While she's busy doing this, they approach and when the door is unlocked and opened, they force you inside your home.
-Try never to walk alone in a secluded area or late at night, call a friend to come or if you have a dog, take them. Dogs bark, women walking dogs are not prime targets for a rape. Don't ever stop to talk to a stranger on the premise that they want to pet your dog, what they don't know is probably best, and they could be under the impression your dog is loyal and protective -- go with it!
-When at home avoid sleeping with your window open, make sure there are blinds or curtains on every window to prevent peeping toms from spying, make sure your entrance is well lit, don't automatically open the door to a stranger without asking for credentials. If possible use a peephole or window, and use a chainbolt if they aren't familiar to you.
-If someone comes to your door and asks to borrow your phone, do not let them enter. Offer to make the call for them while they wait outside.
-If you're driving and you suspect someone is following you, don't go home. Instead go to a friend's house, a local police detachment, open service station or a well lit and open establishment like a fast food restaurant and park as close to the door as you can.
-Never enter your house or car if you suspect someone has broken in. Call the police from a trusted neighbour's house or from your cellphone at a safe distance.
-If someone tries to get into your car, drive away! Even if you are at a red light.. if it's safe to go, DRIVE to the nearest police detachment or safe place. Try always to keep your doors locked in the car when you are inside, as well as windows rolled up when you approach intersections or places you must slow down or stop.
-Try to avoid going out to parties or a club alone. Use the buddy system. Check in with your buddies every 20 minutes and make sure everyone is accounted for and in control of themselves. If someone is over-intoxicated, take them home immediately! If you leave without your friends, let them know where you're going and with whom. Trust their instincts, as well. If they don't think it's a good idea, take a phone number and leave with your friends.
-If you go out to a club or a bar, NEVER leave your drink unattended. Finish it, leave it with a friend, take it with you or leave it and get a new one when you come back. Rohypnol and other related date rape drugs are all over the place, and many men use them to get unwilling women to come home with them while they're under the influence.
- Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or unusual appearance (unexplained residue, excessive foam, etc).
-When using an elevator, if someone gets on that makes you feel uncomfortable, either get off the elevator at that or the next floor or position yourself close to the control panel. If a situation arises, push all the floor buttons, enabling the elevator to stop at the next floor and for you to get off and get help. Do NOT push the red Emergency button, this causes the elevator to stop, even between floors!
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If the worst happens and you are a victim of rape, remember:
- Get to a safe place
- Call the police or 911 immediately, or go to a hospital or medical centre and have them call
- Do not wash, shower, douche, urinate or defecate
- Do not change your clothes or anything about where the crime scene took place
- Eat, drink or smoke
- Find the number of your local or district Rape support or Crisis office and speak to a rape crisis support worker
REMEMBER: It's not your fault, and you didn't cause it to happen.
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