Cougar Cry
9
Install effective locks on all doors and windows -
and use them. If strangers telephone or come to
your door, don't admit that you are alone. Know
who you are letting into your home. Can you trust
this person? The same issue of trust applies
when considering going into someone else's
home or working alone with anyone. If you sense
any danger, ask a friend to accompany you. Trust
your instincts! If you are uneasy about being
alone with someone, avoid situations where only
the two of you are present. Use your peephole
viewer to see who is outside before you open the
door. Never let a stranger into your home.
Check the identification of any sales or service
persons before letting them in. It is okay to ask
them to wait while you call the company to verify
that someone has been sent to your home. If
someone asks to use your phone, ask for the
phone number and make the call for them. If you
live alone, use your last name and first initial only
on mail boxes and in phone directories. If you live
in an apartment, avoid being alone in the laundry
room or parking lot, especially at night. If you
come home alone and find an open door/window
or any signs of forced entry, do not enter your
home. Go to the nearest phone and call the po
lice. If you have children, make certain to let them
know and practice these procedures also. Also
teach your children not to let others come into
your home without your permission.
While Walking
Be alert to your surroundings and the people
around you - especially if you are alone or it is
dark. Travel with a friend if possible!
Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.
Walk confidently at a steady pace on the side of
the street facing traffic. Rapists target people who
demonstrate a lack of confidence or appear vul
nerable. Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways,
bushes, and alleys where someone may hide. If
you think you are being followed, walk quickly to
an area where there are lights and people. If a
car appears to be following you, turn and walk in
the opposite direction. Record the license plate
numtier. If someone bothers you or you feel in
danger, don't be embarrassed to attract attention.
Make a scene by screaming, yelling, using a
whistle, or breaking a window. It is better to re
main safe then be placed in an unsafe situation.
While Driving
Drive with the doors locked and the windows up.
Keep your car in good working order with plenty
of gas. Park in well-lighted areas and lock doors.
If you are being followed, don't drive home. Go to
the nearest police or public place and honk your
horn. Have your car keys in your hand so that you
don't have to linger before entering your car. Keys
can also serve as a possible weapon against an
attacker. Check the back seat before entering
your car. If your car breaks down, open the hood
and attach a white cloth to the car antenna. If
someone stops to help, stay in your locked car
and ask them to call the police or a garage.
If you are attacked
Remember your main concern must always be
your safety. No one can tell you whether you
should fight back, try to talk your way out, or sub
mit. IT DEPENDS ON YOU AND THE SITUA
TION. However, your best defense is to be pre
pared - know your options ahead of time. Your
safety may depend upon your ability to stay cool
and calm. Consider your alternatives if confronted
by a rapist. Practice possible responses so that
you can recall them even under the stress of a
real encounter. Try to think clearly so that you
can quickly evaluate your resources and options.
Your #1 priority is to survive the attack. Your de
cision on what action to take will depend on the
circumstances at that moment. Again, only you
can decide if you fight back, submit, or try to talk
your way out of the attack. It may be more advis
able to submit than to resist and risk severe injury
or death. Remember that submission is not con
sent! Talk to the attacker and trying to calm
him/her by using words or gestures to persuade
him/her not to carry out the attack. Try to dis
courage the attacker by claiming to be sick, preg
nant, or H.I.V. positive or by crying, pretending to
faint, or acting mentally incapacitated. Running
can be an option, but only if you can outrun the
attacker or there is a safe place with people
nearby. Screaming or using a personal alarm
can be an option, if someone is nearby to help.
Struggling or fighting back can be options, but all
hits or kicks must be forceful and aimed at vulner
able areas and must incapacitate the attacker. If
you are sexually assaulted, go to a safe place
and call the police, a friend, a rape crisis center,
or family member. The sooner you make a police
report, the greater the chances the attacker will
be caught, and the sooner you may receive medi
cal attention, support, and counseling. Remem
ber you are the victim. You have nothing to feel
guilty or ashamed about.