Safety Tips & Resources

A friend who’s been raped may confide in you after the attack (sometimes years after). When someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted simply listen quietly and let the person express her/his feelings. And, don’t ask probing or judgmental questions like “Why did you leave the party with someone you didn’t know?” Remember it’s not the victim’s fault, even if they did something “stupid” that made them vulnerable.

Despite all your awareness, alertness and the other skills that have been proven to maximize safety, there’s no surefire way to prevent a crime. If you’ve been raped, go immediately to a hospital emergency room (ideally with a friend) for an examination.

Most rapes involve someone known to the victim, so consider these hard questions beforehand to help you act decisively, if necessary. Under what circumstance(s) would physical resistance be called for? Could I hurt someone I know and trust, if he was trying to assault me? Could I treat a boyfriend or good friend who was trying to rape or assault me the same as I would treat a stranger?