Unfortunately, some types of sexual assault cannot be prevented, but you can reduce your risk of assault by taking steps to ensure your safety by creating healthy physical, psychological and communication habits. For example:

• Limit public alcohol intake (predators are watching)
• Keep boundaries & use your voice to effectively enforce those boundaries
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings. (Situational Awareness)
• Be proactive, such as looking for emergency exits and avoiding dangerous areas like parking garages, alleys, etc. 
• Use a “Command Presence”
• Understand the “Interview Process”, don’t engage in situations often used to distract you such as: asking for directions, asking for a cigarette or lighter, etc. 
• Breathe! Cutting off your oxygen can lead to your fight or flight responses being impaired by lack of adrenaline.
• Utilize an effective self-defense tool, such as The Punisher Self Defense Glove. 
• Finally, sign up for a defensive training course. IDTS will soon be re-launching its infamous sexual assault defense training courses.

Don’t underestimate the power of your voice as an effective defensive tool. If you feel your voice may fail you when you need it most, practice screaming and yelling. When practicing, get in the habit of yelling “FIRE” to bring attention to the situation. Bystanders are more likely to respond to “Fire” than they are to instances where “Help” or “Rape” are being yelled. 

ALWAYS fight back! Interviews of convicted rapists found that lack of resistance from the victim became consent in the mind of the rapist and the lack of self-defense from the victim encouraged the rapist. The interviews also revealed consistently that resistance to sexual assault is much more effective than passive response, such as crying and pleading which may even encourage the attacker as they feel empowered. Sex is NOT the main motive for rape. It is the way for a rapist to release anger and power.

The predator interviews also disclosed that rapists and abductors were waiting for a woman or child to use a technique used in traditional self-defense, stating that they knew the techniques that would be used against them, including the eye gouge, foot stomp, groin kick, etc. Also, that they knew how to control the victims who were using these techniques, rendering those who used traditional self-defense, basic rape defense techniques, mostly unable to effectively defend themselves in a brutal and chaotic attack.

Attending self-defense training, based on real predatory methods and utilizing real life scenarios, such as the IDTS program can be extremely impactful. They can teach you useful skills that may one day save your life.

Rape is an act of sexual intercourse perpetrated against another person without their consent.

• A boss can rape an employee
• An employee can rape a boss
• A teenager can be raped by a date
• A spouse can rape a spouse
• A student can rape a student
• A friend can rape a friend
• A man can rape a man 
• Rape can happen to anyone regardless of gender or age. Thus, whenever discussing the crime of rape, it is important to remember that women are not the only victims.

REPORTING A RAPE – Call 911 in an emergency. 

National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-4673

Victims often feel they, rather than the rapist, are on trial. Fortunately, the last few years have brought about sensitization of the criminal justice system to the plight of the sexual assault victim. For example, recent legislation has blocked the admissibility of questions relating to the victim’s sex life because, as we know, a person’s sexual history does not invalidate a sexual assault charge.

The time for prevention is now. You can make a difference in the fight to stop sexual violence and assault. Here are five things you can do to help make a difference.

1. Statistically, you likely know someone who is a victim of sexual assault. We need to support each other, validate each other’s feelings and create an environment for people to speak freely about their experiences. 
2. Be loud. Make your voice heard. Contact Congress about your support for legislation to improve the criminal justice system, bring sexual predators to justice, and support survivors with mental and physical help. Tell your congressmen the importance of passing legislation to prevent future sexual assault and abuse towards men, women and children. 
3. Donate your time. Volunteer and get involved in your community. Many organizations, like IDTS, are dedicated to protecting others from domestic violence and sexual assault. Reach out and ask about the best way to get involved and help. Help your local rape crisis center, get involved on campus, or volunteer for the online hotline.
4. Get social. Start a blog or social media platform to share information about upcoming legislation they should support and share articles to educate others on the sexual assault epidemic the community suffers from.
5. Join a support campaign. Help survivors and the community by joining campaigns that promote awareness and prevention as well as supporting victims.

Most victims experience sexual violence before the age of 25. You can help prevent sexual violence and sexual assault, which are recognized as a widespread problem in communities, organizations, and across campuses, through spreading awareness and encouraging responsible actions. 

Bystanders, a message to YOU: This goes for anyone, if you are in a public or private location and witness any sort of sexual assault, you’ve instantly become a bystander by no fault of your own. However, the actions you take from that moment not only matter but could SAVE A LIFE!

1. Don’t mind your own business, as this only protects the attacker.
2. Explore the following types of abuse so you can better identify it: emotional, verbal, stalking, physical, sexual, and digital abuse – Is someone in danger?
3. Notice the warning signs (Verbally abusive in public or private, physical contact).
4. Be cautious but firm (be LOUD, predators do not want attention being drawn) when you step into an assault situation. If things become physical, never fight fair.
5. Alert an authority figure/police.
6. Reach out, be supportive, listen and acknowledge the victim’s feelings.
7. Connect them with resources.
8. Never victim blame. It’s not about what she was wearing, or the time of day he decided to go for a walk, etc.

The Punisher Self Defense Glove is a patented nonlethal impact weapon that delivers disabling blows with just 2.3 pounds of pressure! Non-lethal weapons are pain-inducing weapons used to minimize the risk of casualties and are less likely to kill a target. The Punisher Self Defense Glove Features a one-size-fits-all, no right or wrong strike design, and it’s easy to conceal.

Here are some quick tips for peak effectiveness: 

• Wear it on your strong hand.
• Separate house & car keys to avoid removing the glove to open doors.
• Don’t wear headphones. You are much less likely to hear or be aware of a possible assault.
• Strike hard & fast! It doesn’t take much to disable an attacker, but you need to make your first strikes count. Also, don’t stop striking until the predator is fully disabled.
• Don’t leave it in your purse or somewhere else, make it a habit to put it on proactively when leaving your home, work, gym, etc.

Yes! Communication is important to keep your kids safe from sexual abuse. Create an environment within the home where kids are not afraid to share what they know about sexual assault and abuse. Be willing to share what you know about sexual abuse and how to prevent it with your children. Don’t use nicknames or pseudo names for body parts, teach your children the anatomically correct names. Children should learn to use these names, and in the case of a real assault, pseudo names are often inadmissible in court. Also, talk about consent and what is appropriate physical contact. 

Introduce Safety Boundaries to Children & start early. Begin talking with your children in an age-appropriate way and set clear safety boundaries for them. The following list gives the five personal safety boundary rules:

1. No one should look at the private parts of your body.
2. No one should ask you to look at the private parts of their body.
3. No one should touch the private parts of your body.
4. No one should ask you to touch the private parts of their body.
5. No one should show you pictures of private parts on a cellphone, TV, magazines, or computer.
6. Be familiar with your children’s network of friends as well as the family members of those friends.
7. Know the teachers, the teacher’s helpers, and staff at the school. Meet with youth workers, church friends, instructors, and even the bishop. Learn as much as possible about the adults and teenagers in your children’s lives. Anyone who seems more interested in your children than you, should raise a cautionary red flag in your mind.