Rapists make active, conscious choices. Regardless of any personal choices that survivors may make that create opportunities to exploit their trust, rapists remain exclusively responsible for the violent acts that they choose to inflict. Reducing our Vulnerability Sexual violence will end when individuals stop making the choice to be violent, and when societal norms change. As social change progresses, we can develop our personal knowledge and strength to reduce our vulnerability. Although not tangible like locks and alarms, this knowledge and strength provides the foundation for our self-defense and survival skills.
Rapists often select potential victims using gut feeling.
Subtle attempts to invade our personal space and to force conversation with us are tests of our boundaries used by rapists to confirm their gut feeling. We send a strong message when we enforce our limits and preferences for touching, revealing personal information and feelings, and having people in the space that surrounds us. Trust your intuition, and act on it . Acting on our intuition , regardless of the criticism, embarrassment, or inconvenience that may result, can help prevent assaults. Hoping for the best in an uneasy situation can increase our vulnerability if it keeps us from enforcing our boundaries or leaving a situation.