I’m writing this blog in light of the release of “The Last House On The Left (2009).” There is a very graphic rape scene in the movie (don’t go see it if this bothers you, though I do expect the general population to know since it was also in the 1972 version), and people are upset saying that they’re using rape for entertainment.
Fact: Most women who are murdered are raped prior to their murder, or sometimes even post mortem. The writers (Wes Craven) included this to show that it’s not quick and easy to die, and I think it’s helpful making women aware to be weary of strangers — just because someone seems like a nice person, doesn’t mean they necessarily are, and going somewhere private with them could indeed lead to something very sinister. I mean, look at serial killers, many of them had PETITIONS going around their hometowns because people who knew them didn’t think they were capable of such atrocities! They come off as nice, law abiding citizens…. Until they get caught doing unthinkable acts.
I’ve decided to compile information for my readers to stay safe, or to provide to their children to keep them safe.
In a survey conducted by Diana Russell in 1978, of 930 randomly selected women, 44% of women will experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Some estimates indicate that about every six minutes of every day, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States.
Please click here for myths and facts regarding rape.
Many women are abducted after being followed or by someone observing pedestrians on the street. It’s important to know what triggers these assailants to want to pick you from a crowd of others.
An important thing to be aware of is your surroundings, the number one place assailants find their victims is college campuses. Second is cosmetology schools, massage therapy schools, and nursing schools.
Rapists don’t just choose their victims at random, there is a method to their madness. When convicted rapists were shown a video of pedestrians walking on a New York City street, the majority picked the same victims with astonishing accuracy.
How do you prevent yourself from becoming a victim?
- If you’re out, don’t drink anything that is just given to you. Rapists have a very easy time getting access to medication that can knock you out and are tasteless in a drink. They could go to a walk-in clinic, saying that they just got out of a break-up and are suffering from depression, and unable to sleep at night. They’ll be prescribed a very decent amount of sleeping pills, and enough of them when powdered up (especially in an alcoholic beverage) can make a woman feel groggy in even under two minutes.
- Dressing in a “sexy” manner doesn’t make you more of a victim — they actually tend to look more towards women dressed more conservatively. Women who dress provocatively typically have a high self-esteem and are more aware of their surroundings than a woman who’s dressed in baggy clothing and staring at the sidewalk.
- Being on your cell phone is considered a distraction. If you’re walking and texting, talking on your phone, or fumbling for your keys in your purse you’re more likely to be grabbed.
- Don’t let people stop you. Don’t ever follow a stranger.
- Be aware of your surroundings! I cannot stress this enough. If you walk with your head held high and you’re confident you’re considerably less likely to be grabbed. They don’t want a woman who will put up a fight!
- Don’t park in an unattended garage; park in a public garage where they have supervision — even if it means you have to pay when in another instance you wouldn’t have to.
- When going to your car have your keys in your hand, don’t be fumbling inside your purse for your personal belongings. I have bear-strength mace on my key chain, so I like to have them handy when I’m getting to my car and I’m alone
But if someone grabs me, what can I do?
If you’re grabbed, you’re likely to be grabbed from your wrist, or from behind. If you are grabbed from your wrist, swing your arm down and away — you’ll likely break free. Otherwise, if that doesn’t work, or you’re grabbed from behind, there are some great pressure points to pinch that will help with a release!
Reach for the inside of your armpit — no don’t pinch there! — and go about one inch up your bicep on the inner part of the arm…. PINCH! That hurts without much effort, I’d hate to see what would happen if you dug your nails into an assailant with such precision. That would offer a lot of pain (plus you’d get some sweet DNA to take to police!). The other place is obvious, the innermost part of the thigh. PINCH HARD! When this was tried on football players wearing even two pairs of pants, they were still in pain and let go during defensive procedures classes where they taught women to get away from assailants!
And remember, rape isn’t just about sex — it’s about power, control, and often they feel that they cannot control their urges. Sexoffender.com will let you look at how many sexual offenders are in your area. Be aware!
