In America, someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes. And while it’s despairing that we need to, both women and men must stay informed in order to be able to prevent and stop attacks. Although the majority of sexual assault victims are women (1 in every 6), men can be and are victims of sexual assault as 1 in every 33 men will be the victim of an attempted or completed sexual assault in his lifetime. College-age women are four times more likely to be the victims of a sexual attack than women of any other age, so it is especially crucial that you remain informed.
Based on a prison study of convicted sexual assaulters and date rapists published in Newsweek entitled “The Mind of a Rapist,” here are ways to know whether you would be a prime target for a rapist:
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As insignificant as it seems, the first thing that a rapist notices about a possible victim is his or her hair. If you have longer hair, it is easier to grab it and pull it at a distance and, therefore, you are easier to control. This is true for those with long braids, buns, or long ponytails. While this is not to say that you should cut your hair to avoid being attacked, it is important to be aware of the potential risk that having long hair poses.
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Most rapists will carry scissors or sharp objects used to cut open clothing. However, they would like to put forth as little effort as possible. So they look for victims who are wearing clothing that would be easy to rip off. Examples of this include tank tops, leggings, and light sweatpants.
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Men typically look for victims who are distracted. It is important to be vigilant while listening to music, talking on the phone, and doing any other activity that draws you attention away from your surroundings. When distracted, you can easily be overpowered because you will be caught off guard if you are attacked. In the short seconds that you will spend disoriented before you think about what’s happening, your attacker can already have you in a new location nearby.
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The top places that women are attacked and taken from are grocery store parking lots, parking lots of offices, parking garages, and public restrooms. These places offer less security, typically less people depending on the hour, and places to hide. Be aware when in any of these places. Also, stairwells are good places for a crime to take place, to try to take the elevator as much as possible.
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Generally, women tend to carry around weapons in case of an attack. But the conventional weapons are some of the worst. A rapist will not attack a person who is carrying something that could attack them from a distance (such as a long umbrella) in-hand. These victims will be able to put up much more of a fight than someone with a weapon requiring close range such as keys or a pocket knife. Pepper spray is a very good option.
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They like to choose the least time-consuming options. They are looking to be able to quickly grab their victim and move them to a predetermined second location. Anyone who would take longer than a minute to grab and move is intimidating to the assaulter.
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If you have left your car for any length of time from less than a minute to any longer period of time, check the entirety of your car before getting inside of it. And as soon as you get inside, drive away. Have your key in hand before getting in. This lessens the chance that someone could get in the car with you and attack you with a weapon. (This also applies to taking a taxi or Uber. Check the car first.) If there is a large van parked next to your car, enter your car from the passenger side. Rapist like to grab women as they are entering their cars to pull them into their vans. Always look at the cars parked on either side of you. If there are men sitting in the car next to you, it is always best to go back into the establishment and get a security guard to come with you to make sure that you get into your car and drive away safely.
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Sympathy is a tool in acquiring victims. Rapists will often play with the sympathetic nature of women, feign injuries, and ask them to do things like carrying bags to his car or helping him into his apartment. Do not go near private areas such as cars, houses, or alleys with strangers.
If you suspect you are being followed, take the following precautions:
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Walk into a store. Anywhere with bright lighting, security, cameras, and a lot of people is good. If the person was following you, they will most likely not enter the store. Alert security in case the person is standing outside waiting for you. This will alert the assailant of the fact that you know that you were being followed, and they are very likely to run.
- If you don’t have the option of running to the nearest establishment, turn around and directly ask him or her a question. It could be about anything–the weather, the time, etc. This way, they will be aware of the fact that you know what they look like and would be able to identify them in a line-up. They are likely to leave you alone because they know it would be pointless to attack someone who can later have them arrested. A vast majority of rapists said that they would not attack anyone who makes it clear that they are not afraid to fight back. If someone is coming toward you, use your hands to keep them at a distance and yell. Also, if you carry pepper spray, the assaulter is very likely to leave you alone if you make it known to them by telling them that you have spray.
Lastly, the common rules to staying safe that we’ve all heard a million times still apply. Travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings, don’t talk to strangers, and have someone be aware of your whereabouts, especially at night and when you’re alone. And most importantly, don’t forget to stay safe and informed.