safe and healthy
Sometimes it's impossible to stop rape, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
- Listen to that inner voice. If something or someone just doesn't feel right, get out of that situation as quickly as possible.
- Learn self defense.
- Stay clear-headed. Drugs and alcohol will cloud your thoughts and decisions, so stay away from them.
- Drink only from containers you opened yourself and have kept in your sight.
- Only go to parties and other places with friends, not alone. And never go somewhere with someone you don't know.
- Keep good company. True friends will not encourage you to do things that will hurt you. If a person is really interested in you, they would never want to make you uncomfortable or scared.
- Try to have a cell phone and some extra money when you are out.
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About Rape: Facts and Help
 TV and movies would have you think that rape is something that only happens to young pretty girls, late at night, when a stranger jumps out of the bushes and attacks her. She goes to the police, tells what happened and in the end the criminal is caught and sent to prison. Although this can be the case, it is often not so clear cut.
- Whenever one person forces another to do something sexually against his or her will, it's a crime.
- No one should force you to have sex--any kind of sex--ever.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Date Rape
Rape most often happens between people who know each other. Acquaintance or "date" rape is especially high among teens and young adults.
- If someone's wearing something sexy or flirting, they might just be having fun. It doesn't mean they're consenting (saying yes) to sex.
- Be clear about what you do and don't want to do sexually. You always have the right to say no.
- If you're not sure it's OK with your partner to touch or do something sexually, ask first.
- Be careful of date rape drugs, especially in club or party scenes. Date rape drugs usually have no smell, taste, or color and can be added to an open drink without your knowledge. A person under the influence of a date rape drug can't consent to sex.
- Sometimes an older person will try to force sex--it's not always a peer.
Victims and perpetrators can be either male or female
- Most rape victims are women, but it is estimated that about 3% of American men (2.78 million) have experienced a rape at some point in their lifetime.
Rape victims do not always report that they have been raped
- A victim may be scared of another attack.
- They may feel it is somehow their fault. It's NOT.
- It's important to get help, because this is a very hard experience to handle on your own.
- It's important to seek medical treatment to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and STDs.
Help and Support After Rape or Sexual Assault
If you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, rape or sexual assault, you are not alone. There are resources to help and support you. If you haven't already, talk to someone: a teacher, a friend, or someone else you are close to. The most important thing you should know is that there are people who want to help you. The easiest way to start the mending process is to go to someone and let them know what happened. All of the following resources provide confidential services.
Remember: You ALWAYS have the right to refuse sex
If you did not consent (give your permission) to having sex with someone and they forced you to anyway, that was a criminal act.
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