Three Steps to “Take Back the Night"

You practice for virtually everything in your life. Why not practice
what to do in the case of an assault? Be prepared for the 20 percent
chance that you will be the next victim of sexual assault, assault with
injury or robbery. Three steps, when practiced, might just help save
your life in an emergency.

"Take Back the Night" events across the country in April are a grim
reminder of just how serious a problem crime against women has become.
From domestic violence to date rape, from assault in a parking lot to
rapes on a college campus it seems as though women are targets of these
predators wherever and whenever it pleases them-and the numbers are
staggering.

Statistics show that every two and a half minutes someone in the U.S. is
sexually assaulted. And while the numbers show and increase the scary
part is there are still 39 percent of rapes in 2002 that went unreported
for a variety of legitimate reasons ranging from embarrassment, fear, or
shock.

"Take Back the Night" events are well meaning, feel good events that
typically happen on college campuses where a surprisingly large number
of sexual assaults occur. The main focus of these events is to heighten
awareness of the problem which is a nice first step but really does
nothing in a practical way to help protect the potential victims from
either physical or sexual assault.

According to Bureau of Justice statistics 17 percent of women can expect
to be raped in their lifetime. In 2004 for every 1000 people there is
one rape or sexual assault, two assaults with injury and 2
robberies-that's a one in five chance that you are going to be next.

When an assault occurs most victims are, justifiably so, caught off
guard, panic and don't think clearly. But with a little common sense and
practice (YES practice) your survival instincts will kick in.

As a practical matter you practice for everything else, from studying,
playing an instrument, sports, rehearsal for a wedding, to memorizing
the alphabet, why shouldn't you practice some survival skills that might
save your life? Simple discussion groups with friends or family on some
basic survival techniques and plans of action will, over a short period
of time, develop good reflex reactions instead of pure unmitigated fear
when faced with a real emergency situation.

Here are some ideas to kick around with your friends at a "practice"
session.
When confronted by a potential attacker or rapist:
1. MAKE NOISE. Scream, yell, if you have a whistle use it, Try to
attract as much attention as you can. The noise will eventually attract
someone and in the process may deter the attacker.
2. STALL. Time is on your side. Stall as long as you can. Tell your
attacker you have STD's or AIDS. The longer you delay the better your
chances. Don't show any fear, stay calm as long as you can.
3. GET ANGRY AND FIGHT BACK. This is not a garden party. Learn how to
fight dirty. Gouge the eyes, hit and kick where it will do the most
damage. Use whatever you have available as a weapon.

Additionally get used to being aware of your surroundings. Be leery of
strangers asking directions, of sudden crowds around you, of a stranger
approaching your car. Most of all trust your instincts-if your gut tells
you something is wrong don't be afraid to react.

And lastly get used to always carrying some sort of personal defense
device-a whistle, an alarm, a siren, mace pepper spray even a stick if
you're out on a walk-anything that can help you MAKE NOISE, STALL, FIGHT
BACK. Remember it's your life on the line-BE PREPARED-PRACTICE,
PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!