From: query@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Samuel Green)
Subject: It happens.
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois.
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 11:13:50 GMT

	My girlfriend saw me reading this group and now she feels like
putting in her bit, so, without furthur ado, here she is:

	Hi.  The subject line is mine, and I just want to say a little bit
about rape.  It happens.  
	I know, that sounds rather simplistic, but, it is a way for a
victim to think about it.  It happens.
	If you get attacked, and if you are like most people, you will
probably be shocked.  You might even be 'frozen' with fear.  It happens.
	If, later, after the attack, you suddenly realize that if only you
had done...  It happens.
	If you are raped, and you do not defend yourself, it happens.
	You cannot blame yourself for it happening.  You cannot obsess on
what you could have done differently.  You cannot let yourself waste your
time on what could have been, but, it happens.
	I offer some constructive advice for preventing rape, or, at least
making it harder.  And, if sometime later on, you get raped and do not use
these tactics or any other, it happens, and you must go on.
	The first thing that I will talk about is dettering a potential
attacker.  There are several methods that I have heard about to minimize
your "victims appearance", but I favor one in particular:  Confidence.
	Do not walk too quickly, you will appear to many as someone who is
worried.  Instead, walk with a reaonably paced stride, swinging your arms,
but not loosely.  Do not look only straight ahead, or all around you, but
rather, look at people or 'threatening' places and try to at least analyze
at least some of the threat possibility.  Also, keep in mind a plan for
what to do if attacked.  Be ready.
	If you have mace or tear gas, keep it in your hand, ready to use.
DO NOT keep it in your purse or pocket, as it is next to useless there.  DO
NOT keep your hands in your pocket, as you may have difficulty getting them
out.  
	If you have a stunner or a tazer, keep it ready.  I will give some
of my opinions on how to best use those devices in a few moments.
	If possible, avoid wearing heels or other difficult to walk in
shoes.  Bring along a pair of gym shoes and put them on before leaving work
or home or wherever.  The heels will impair your running ability, and, lets
face it, about the only real chance of connecting your heel to a groin is
if the assaliant is allready on his back.  The heels will serve better as a
club, anyway, if kept in a bag.
	Also, if possible, avoid wearing bulky coats, jackets or other
clothing that can snag on something or be grabbed easily.  Try to avoid
clothing with a lot of belts or loops, as these are easy to grab.  Keep a
coat zipped up at least half way, so that it will not be able to be pulled
as far (thus giving the assailant more leverage) from your body.
	Finally, if someone does seem to be following you, DO NOT STOP SO
THAT THEY WILL PASS YOU!  It is *quite* easy for a potential assailant to
simply walk up to you.  Also it will reduce your lead time in case you
decide to run.  If you notice someone behind you is beginning to move more
rapidly, run like hell, and screm your lungs out.  You might feel silly if
they are just a jogger or someone running for a bus or cab, but it is
better to feel like a fool than to ba attacked.

	Now, as far as things to do if you actually are attacked:
	This may sound a bit sick, but:  Release your bladder and bowels,
if you can.  This may be a deterrent for many potential assailants.
	If the assailant tries to force you into oral sex, (and some do),
it is pointless to just keep your mouth closed, as there are many ways to
force it open.  A woman I work with was so attacked, and she decided it was
best to just give in.  She bit down *very* hard, and was able to run while
her attacker was in agony.
	If possible, grab the assailants testicles.  Squeeze as hard as you
can, and yank as hard as you can.  This can make for a decidedly less
active attacker.
	If your hands are held down, head butt the attacker.  If you are
pinned, force your legs closed and head butt, bite or spit in your
attackers face.  Roll over, if you can, to get the attacker off of you.
	If you are grabbed from behind, slam your head back into the
attackers face, or use your elbows.  Feet are useful only if you have been
reasonably well practiced in their use from this position, and you will
probably not be able to get much force with them..
	If you are grabbed from the front or side, headbut, push, spit,
bite or whatever you have to.  If you can grab a finger, snap it.  If you
have any chance to do any permanent damage, do it.
	
	As far as stunners and tazers go, my personal advice is to zap
anyone who is approaching you in a threatening manner, and then run like
hell, screaming.  It is better to have accidentially attacked someone who
you thought was threatening you, than to get attacked.  If you are actively
attacked, zap the attacker as many times as you feel are necessary to get
him off of you.  Joints are good painful spots to hit.  Eyes are also
particularly nice, if you are bloodthirsty.  Just remember that you
probably will not be able to pick your target.  Also, KEEP FRESH BATTERIES
IN THE TAZER/STUNNER AT ALL TIMES.  If you use it, even once, replace the
batteries.  Do not turn on these weapons unless you are going to use them
on an attacker.  Keep the weapon in your hands at all times while out, even
if you are with someone.

	Now, as far as things NOT to do if assaulted, there arent any.  If
you do not think you can resist, don't.  No one will think the less of you.
It is up to you to choose your response. 
	As far as situations to avoid:  ALWAYS go out in groups of 2 or
more, men too.  NEVER sit in a car alone, unless the windows are rolled up
and the doors are locked, and you are ready to drive away iimmediatewly.
Also, if you will have to run the potential attacker over to get away, do
it.
	Now, if there is no possible way to get someone to escort you to
your destination, then ask yourself if you really have to go.  I know it is
hard to let the threat of attack keep you from going places, but, safety is
important.  If someone will not escort you, then simply do not leave. If
you are out in a dangerous area, day or night, and you fear a possible
attack, either flag down a police car, or call their non-emergency number
and explain your situation.  While certainly it seems to be a bit paranoid,
many policemen will rather escort someone than fill out their victims
report.
	All this may seem paranoid, but, in the world today, people are
more likely to be assaulted at some point than not.  The situation where I
was assaulted was not what one owuld usually think of.  It was daytime and
there were plenty of people around.  I was grabbed and pulled into a
basement door.  I am lucky to be alive.  I did not think that it could
happen in that situation.
	Finally, as far as firearms go, do not EVER say "I have a gun" or
anything like that.  If the attacker is afraid enough, he may try to kill
you, or otherwise make you unable to use the weapon.  I do not reccommend
carrying one, but, if you have to, do not give any warning, and shoot.  DO
NOT carry a firearm like you would a can of mace or a stunner, as this can
lead to accidents.  Keep it in your purse.  Like I said about the mace and
tazers, it will be next to useless there, so why bother?
	Also, some of you will note that when I have referred to rapists, I
have used, if any, only the male form of description.  That is because the
instances of women committing rape are so low as to be almost negligable.
Women are also not typ[ically muggers, but rather, a woman will be most
likely to attack you if she is a prostitute or has lured you into a home or
hotel room.  Like I said, the statistics are overwhelmingly male dominated,
as far as attacks and rape is concerned.  This is not just my opinion, but
a statement of fact.
	Thank you,
	Linda

Newsgroups: talk.rape