Gang Date Rape: How to Protect Yourself
This is a self-help article informing teenage girls of the dangers of gang date rape and how to avoid it.
How can I protect myself?
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Never get in the car with someone you just met. The old school advice of don’t talk to strangers can be applied here.
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Never arrange to meet someone who you haven’t seen. Whether through chatting or internet based sites like MySpace or Face book, you may be setting yourself up for serious danger.
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Never assume that someone is trustworthy. If you are in a public place alone and someone tends to be a little more friendly than usual…trust your instincts. They will rarely guide you astray.
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Never, never, never, get in the car with a group of guys alone. Even if you know one of the guys, the rule that it is better safe than sorry applies here.
What do I do if I am a victim?
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Do not be afraid to report it. By reporting what happened to you, you are helping to stop the cycle.
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Do not wait. After what has happened the first response is to isolate. By reporting as soon as you can, the event is still fresh in your memory, which could provide the police the vital information they need in catching the bad guys.
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Do not shower. As tempting as it may be, you will basically wash away the evidence if you shower, so it is vital that you contact the authorities or tell someone close to you ASAP.
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Give yourself time. After such a traumatic event, you may not feel like talking about it. Many times it seems easier to forget what happened. Healing is a process and the process can be as long or short as it takes for you to reclaim what is yours. Any kind of rape takes a piece of you. In my opinion, talking does help…on your own time.
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Don’t blame yourself. So often victims are made to think that they brought a rape on or “asked for it.” I know you have heard it a million times, but it is true and never will change: No Means No!
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Know you have support! There are many avenues of support, and though you may feel like it, you are not alone.
The advice I am giving is from life experience. After being asked to decide against telling the authorities what happened or keeping quiet and continuing my education, I withdrew from college, because I was so ashamed, and yet I still did not tell. It took me years to finally open up and talk about what happened, but this is what inspired me to write this article.
Resources
1-800-856-HOPE (24 hour crisis helpline that provides confidential support and referrals to rape victims)
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Post CommentStephen J. Ardent
On July 3, 2009 at 8:47 am
I wish more women and girls would listen to this. There are a lot of bad people out there. I wish I knew what makes women think they are somehow immune to harm.
Carol
On July 4, 2009 at 12:10 pm
This is a great article full of wisdom for young females. I pray that those who read it will take heed to this advice!