Welcome to page #2 where we continue to discuss the topic of How To Avoid Being Raped.  Remember - There is no such thing as always being 100% safe from an attacker.  This Article is provided as an assistance to you by making you aware of the methods and techniques of the average rapist.  By becoming aware and careful, you increase your chances of remaining safe from such attacks.

Here we continue with the information provided by a group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim.  Here are some interesting facts:

IMPORTANT TACTICS TO ASSIST YOU IN NOT BECOMING A RAPE VICTIM:

 

#1   SCREAM AS LOUD AS YOU CAN!

#2   FIGHT!

#3   PUNCH!

#4    KICK!

#5    HIT!

If a woman puts up any kind of a fight at all, rapists get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after her isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.  These rapists said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon.  So the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk, I can't believe it is so cold out here, we're in for a bad Winter  Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up, you lose appeal as a target.

If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay back!  Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back.  Again, they are looking for an EASY target, if you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.  If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them.

If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh HARD.  One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it hurts.  After the initial hit, always go for the groin.  I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful.  You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble.  Start causing trouble, and he's out of there!

When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible.  The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

Of course the things we always hear still apply:

Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts.  You may feel a  little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.