There is no perfect way to protect yourself against rape, but the following have worked for many people.
1. Know you have the right to set sexual limits
You may have different limits with different people; your limits may change. It’s a good idea to know what you want or don’t want before you end up in the back seat of a car.
2. Communicate those limits.
Get them across to the other person. Assuming he/she knows doesn’t work.
3. Trust your feelings.
If you feel you are being pressured into unwanted sex, you’re right.
4. Pay attention to behavior that doesn’t seem right.
- Someone sitting or standing too close and enjoys your discomfort
- Power stares- looking through you or down at you.
- Someone who blocks your way
- Someone who speaks in a way or acts as if he knows you more intimately than he does.
- Someone who grabs you or pushes you to get his way
- Someone who doesn’t listen or disregards what you are saying (like “NO”).
5. Be assertive.
- Get angry when someone does something to you that you don’t want.
- Act immediately with some kind of negative response. (You may want to practice this by yourself or with friends).
- Stand up for yourself- it’s okay to be rude to someone who is sexually pressuring you, even if it hurts their feelings; after all, they are not paying attention to your feelings.
You must be logged in to post a comment.