What Is Sexual Assault And How To Prevent It

2008-11-16T09:20:00.001+08:00

First, lets define sexual assault. Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact or behavior, implicit or explicit. Who are the perpetrators? Perpetrators of sexual assault are not limited to strangers. They can be friends, family members or acquaintances. Who are the victims? Any person, male or female, adult or child, friend, family member or stranger, can be the victim of a sexual assault. What constitutes non-consent of sexual activity? State law assumes that a person does not consent to any type of sexual activity if the person is threatened, unconscious, drugged, a minor, disabled developmentally, is chronically mentally ill, or is undergoing a medical procedure. What are the different types of sexual assault? The types of sexual assault are varied. Sexual assault includes but is not limited to exposing sexual body parts, forcing masturbation, forcing oral sex, unwanted touching or fondling, unwanted anal or vaginal sex, or even forcing a person to view sexually explicit material or posing for such pictures.
Appalling statistics reveal that someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every three minutes. This is based on the assaults that were reported. Over the past five years (2000-2005), on average, more than 50% of sexual assaults were not reported. Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime in the U.S. Of the reported assaults, one in six were women and approximately one in 33 were men. According to a 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey, there were 191,670 victims of sexual assault, rape, or attempted rape. The methods used in this survey did not include children under the age of 13. However, the Justice Department has estimated that approximately one in six children under age 13 are victims of sexual assault. The FBI released preliminary results showing that, on a national level, violent crimes rose by 3.7% in the first half of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. More preliminary results will be released in the near future.
Here are some guidelines you should follow to help prevent a sexual assault.
•In any situation you should always be aware of your surroundings.•Stay in well-lit areas.•Walk on the side of the street facing traffic. Walk confidently at a steady pace.•Avoid walking were assailants can hide, such as doorways, bushes or alleys.•If you believe you are being followed, walk quickly to a lighted area and where there are people.•If you believe a car is following you, turn around and walk in the opposite direction or on the other side of the street.•If someone stops you and wants directions or anything else, reply to them from a distance. Do not get too close.•If at any time you feel you are in danger or need help, attract people in any way you can. Scream as loud as you can. If you are carrying a self-defense product such as Mace, pepper spray or a stun gun, use it and run.•When you are in your car, lock the doors. If you are not in your car, keep the doors locked so that no one is able to enter your car and hide in it.•While walking to your car have your keys in hand and ready to unlock the door. Before you get in your car look inside to make sure no one is hiding inside.•While driving, if you think you are being followed, either drive to a well-lit public area or drive to a police station.•If your car breaks down, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the antenna and get back in your car and lock the doors. If someone stops to help, remain in your car with the doors locked and ask them to call the police.
Please follow the guidelines above to lessen your chance of becoming a sexual assault victim. Also, carrying a non-lethal or less than lethal self-defense product such as Mace, pepper spray, personal alarm or a stun gun can ultimately reduce the chances of becoming a victim and may even save your life.
http://womenonguard.com/ was designed by two women who deeply believe in combatting violent crimes against women before they happen by empowerment and prevention. http://womenonguard.com/ sells non lethal, self defense products such as Mace, pepper sprays, personal alarms and stun devices such as stun guns. Protect yourself or a loved one and visit http://womenonguard.com/ and purchase a safety product. These products make great gifts that show you care.
Susan Eaton
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Sexual Assault The Most Cowardly Of All Crimes

2008-11-16T08:41:00.001+08:00

Sexual assault or rape can be defined as verbal, visual, or physical abuse that forces a person to consent to sexual contact or attention. It can happen in any number of different situations, by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you are familiar with. Some rapist use drugs to take away a persons ability to defend themselves.
Rape or sexual assault is a crime that most often involves a female victim, and a male attacker. It is a violation of the victim’s body and will also take an emotional toll on the victim. You should always support the victim of a rape or sexual assault, listen to them and do not judge them for being a victim. Regardless of the circumstances of the sexual assault or rape the victim can not be at fault, it does not matter what the person was wearing, where they were going, what they were doing or who they were with…………the victim of a rape or sexual assault is not responsible for the attack.
Rape is an act of violence and aggression, and while it involves the act of forced sexual contact it not about sexual pleasure or passion. Rape and sexual assault have nothing to do with caring or love. It is a crime in which the attacker has the need to feel as if they are in control and more powerful than the victim.
The most common form of rape or sexual assault is acquaintance or date rape. Studies have shown that of 60 percent of all rapes and sexual assaults the victim knows the attacker. In cases where it is a family member it can be much harder to get the courage to report the attacks, and attacks against children should not be kept within the family.
Victims of sexual assault are often ashamed of what has occurred and sometimes blame themselves for what has happened. Others may become secluded and distant, while pushing friends and loved ones away. Then the worst news is it that some statistics show that only 1 out of every 3 rapes or sexual assaults are even reported to the authorities. There were over 94,000 reported rapes and sexual assaults in the United States in 2004.
Here are some tips to help reduce your chances of a sexual assault.
When out partying “NEVER” leave you drink unattended or accept a drink from someone you do not know.
Always be aware of you surroundings, avoid secluded places.
Do not consume excess amounts of alcohol or drugs stay sober and aware.
Do not be afraid of asking for help if you feel threatened.
Carry personal protection equipment at all times.
Have the number for your local law enforcement on your person.
Be clear about what you expect and what kind of relationship you are considering.
Rape or sexual assault can happen to even the strongest, most confident, and best prepared people. So if you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault here are some tips to help you!!!
Report the rape or sexual assault to the authorities.
Go directly to the nearest medical facility.
Do not douche or bathe before reporting to the hospital.
Do not change clothes before reporting to the hospital.
Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases STD’s and pregnancy.
Ask about emergency contraceptives.
Have someone in your family or that you can trust contacted and instructed to bring a change of clothes to the medical facility.
Always remember that anything you say to emergency room personnel can be used in the court of law.
Fight Back – Don’t Be A Victim!
Sheri Gray is writer and webmaster for J & S Enterprises and online force in the personal self-defense products market. Serving the industry since 2004 J & S Enterprises offers Tasers, Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays, and Mace Defense Sprays. For more information on the products offered by J & S Enterprises and a link to see sex offenders in your area go to: http://www.safeselfdefense.com/
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