How Can I Reduce My Risk? 

The following are a list of things you can do to reduce your risk of sexual assault: 

• Trust your gut feelings.  If you start to feel uncomfortable or unsafe in a situation, listen to your feelings and act on them. 

• Don’t be afraid to make a scene if you feel threatened.  If you are being pressured or forced into sexual activity against your will, let the other person know how you feel and get out of that situation, even at the risk of embarrassment or hurting someone’s feelings. 

• Know your limits and communicate them clearly.  You have the right to say “no” to any unwanted sexual contact.  If you say “no”, say it like you mean it.  Back up your words with your body language. 

• Be careful of situations involving the use of drugs or alcohol.  Drugs and alcohol can make you less aware of danger signs and less able to communicate clearly.  Alcohol is the number one date rape drug.  If you would like more information on drug facilitated sexual assaults visit RAINN www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/drug-facilitated-assault

• Go to parties with friends you can trust and agree to look out for one another.  Look out for your friends by regularly checking on them.  Leave parties with people you know.  Don’t leave alone or with someone you don’t know very well. 

• Get involved if you think someone is in trouble.  If you see someone in an unsafe situation help in any way that is safe.  Know that you can call 911 if immediate help is needed. 

Sexual assault is NEVER the victim’s fault.  It doesn’t matter how the victim dresses, whether or not they were drinking or using drugs, or if they were out alone- no one asks to be raped.