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Acquaintance Rape

Women Don't Cause Acquaintance Rape. Rapists Do. BUT THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE THE RISKS OF BEING RAPED BY SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

In 75% of reported sexual assaults, the assailant is known to the victim. Below is a list of seven things that can reduce your risk of being raped by someone you know.

• STAY AWAY FROM MEN WHO PUT YOU DOWN, speak negatively about women, have the attitude that "girls who get drunk should know what to expect"; drink or use drugs heavily; are physically violent; and who don’t respect you or your decisions.

• SET SEXUAL LIMITS AND INTENTIONS. Determine what kind of intimacy, particularly touching, is okay with you.

• REMAIN IN CONTROL. Consider paying your own way. Make some of the decisions.

• LISTEN TO YOUR FEELINGS. Trust your intuition. If a situation doesn't feel quite “right,” speak up and/or leave.

• FORGET ABOUT BEING “POLITE” as soon as you feel threatened.

• LEARN SELF-DEFENSE. Know how to yell. Take assertiveness training.

•TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Don't assume others will.

“I was lying on his bed, too drunk to get up and leave his party. All I wanted to do was kiss, but he started to take my clothes off. I thought to myself 'this guy is a classmate and a friend. He wouldn't take advantage of me, or would he?' I was so drunk I could barely keep from passing out. 'No, I don't want to do it. Stop it!' He must have failed to hear me. The next thing I knew I was awakened by him inside of me.” -quote from survivor of acquaintance rape

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