A Group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interview on
what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting
facts:
1. The first thing men look for in a potential victim is
hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail,
bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also
likely to go after a women with long hair, women with short hair are not
common targets.
2. The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for
women who's clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry
scissors around specifically to cut clothing.
3. They also look for women on their cell phone, searching
through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they
are off guard and can be easily overpowered.
4. Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00 a.m and 8:30 a.m
5. The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is
grocery store, parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages.
Number three is public restrooms.
6. The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a
woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to
worry about getting caught.
7. Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3 - 5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15 - 20 years.
8. If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged
because it only take a minute or two for them to realize that going
after you isn't worth it beacause it will be time-consuming.
9. These men said they would not pick on women who have
umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in
their hands.
Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to
the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these
guys you're not worth it.
10. Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is
following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an
elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question,
like what time is it, or make general small talk: "I can't believe it is
so cold out here", we're in for a bad winter." Now you've seen their
face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.
11. If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front
of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked
to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or shower that she
would not be afraid to fight back, Again, they are looking for an EASY
target.
12. If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge
advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yell I HAVE
PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.
13. If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but
you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from
behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and
armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERRY VERRY HARD. One woman in a
class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who
was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin
and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching
yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it hurts.
14. After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN. I know from a
particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it
is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make
him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our
instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of
trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.
15. When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two
fingers and bend them back as far as possible! The instructor did it to
me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both
knuckles cracked audibly.
16. Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be
aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you
see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!!
You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.
1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber
asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away
from you..... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet
and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD
IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the truck of a car, kick out the
back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like
crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved
lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,
eating, working, et.c., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a
list, ec.t. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watch you, and this is
the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a
gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO
YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE
OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into
anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is
in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car
crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body
in a remote location.
5. A few! notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A. Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the and in the back seat.
B. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the
passenger door . Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling
them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their
cars.
C. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle,
and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest
your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a
guard/policeman to walk you back out.
IT IS AWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells
are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is
especially true at NIGHT!)
