How to Protect Yourself Against Date Rape

Women are more likely to be raped by someone they know than by a stranger.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cellular Phones

1. Realize that date rape typically occurs when the couple is alone. Go out in a group with new dates.

2. Avoid drinking or doing drugs, which could affect your judgment and make it easier for someone to take advantage of you.

3. Be aware of your date intruding on your personal space. This is a sign that he may not respect your boundaries.

4. Be clear with the signals you send out so a man doesn't have to guess what you mean. Speak up if you feel things are getting out of hand.

5. Set sexual limits. It's OK to stop sexual activity when you've had enough.

6. Examine unconscious messages you may be sending out that could be putting you at risk. For instance, consider the way you dress, walk, gesture and talk.

7. Pay your own way to retain your independence and avoid a man feeling you "owe him something" in return for your meal.

8. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation immediately, even if you think you're being rude.

9. Always carry taxi fare so you can get yourself home if you need to.

10. Avoid going to a man's home or inviting him to yours until you know him very well.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that there is no excuse for rape. Try to be aware and minimize your risks as much as you can.

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[treeoflife]

on 5/26/2009 I have a major issue with what this article is telling women! It's message is that it is a woman's responsibility to alter her behavior and appearance in order to "prevent" date rape. While there are ways to minimize the risk, the true responsibility in preventing rape is in educating people about it and preventing it by altering society's attitudes towards women. Women should NOT have to watch how they gesture and dress in order to prevent date rape. I highly suggest that while women be aware of their surroundings in a dating situation (with men OR women) that the real prevention technique is eliminating sexism from our society. Rape is about power, not sex.

[heretoday]

on 11/6/2007 Seems many people think it is a good article. I have seen this article at several dating sites, including herpes/hpv/hiv dating site pozgroup.com

on 12/28/2005 I went out once with this guy who seemed nice and charming. But when I was alone with him he got aggressive and when I said stop he insisted that he simply physically can't. So I asked him -what if your mother just came in -would you be able to stop? At that he had to agree.
Remember, there is no excuse to do anything you don't want to do!

on 11/22/2005 Certain date rape drugs are odorless and tasteless when added to either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. If someone hands you an open drink, think twice before drinking it. Don't ever set your glass down and leave it unattended. Someone could use that time to put in something harmful in your drink.

on 11/22/2005 If someone is trying to rape you, do something disgusting. Make yourself vomit or urinate on them. Usually it's a sexual turn off. Although it may be gross, it may prevent you from being raped.