If a person is attempting to sexually assault you, take the following steps to stop the assault from progressing. Remember that the goal is survival.

• Stall for time. Figure out your options. Each situation is different. Decide if you will fight, try to talk your way out of the assault, scream, or, if necessary for your survival, submit.
• If you fight, hit hard and fast. Target the eyes and groin.
• Try to dissuade the attacker from continuing. Tell him you have a sexually transmitted disease, tell him you are menstruating, urinate, vomit, or do anything to discourage the attacker.

A Word Or Two About Resistance

There is not definitive way to answer the question, "What should I do if I am attacked? It depends upon the individual, the situation, and the attacker. Thinking about what you would do before an assault ever occurs can be valuable self-defense strategy.

1. Act immediately: Trust your intuition and get away. Regardless of the course of action you choose, you must act immediately; a delay may result in a more dangerous situation.
2. Stay as calm as possible: Try to think clearly and look at all your options. Are there other people around to help you? Will someone hear a scream? IS there a place to run? Does your attacker have a weapon?
3. Passive resistance: You may be able to discourage the attacker by trying to calm him and trying to persuade him not to commit the assault. If you gain his confidence, you may be able to escape to a safe place or to scream and attract attention. You may be able to discourage him by claiming to be sick or pregnant, by fainting or by acting insane.
4. Active resistance: There is no guarantee that fighting back or screaming is the right thing to do. It may discourage an attacker, it could also anger him and cause him to attack more forcefully. Some forms of active resistance are described below:
   
   • SCREAMING - This will alert passers-by and may frighten an attacker.
   • FIGHTING BACK - Struggling and fighting back might also discourage your assailant. If you are not afraid to hurt someone and if you can hit or kick hard, this might create an opportunity for escape. Consider scratching with your fingernails, biting, poking in the eyes, kicking in the knee or groin, or jabbing the eyes or throat. Be aware of any potential "weapons" in your environment.
   • WEAPONS - Guns and knives are prohibited on campus. Chemical sprays are not generally recommended in an office environment as thy can easily incapacitate everyone in an enclosed space.
   • MARTIAL ARTS/STREET FIGHTING - Training in martial arts or common sense "street fighting" can make you more self-confident and improve your physical strength. However, at least 16-20 hours of training is necessary for these skills to be effective and it takes continuous practice to maintain these skills.
5. Submitting: During an assault, your safety or life is threatened and your best option may be to submit. If you think you are going to be hurt, or if you are afraid to fight back, then don't. The assault is still a crime and it is the attacker who has committed the crime.
6. Get medical help.
7. Report the assault to the police. Try to give them as much information about the attacker as you can, such as age, height, weight, complexion, body build, clothes, hair, and scars. If you know your assailant, give the police his name.
8. It is normal for survivors of assault to feel guilty, anger and helplessness. The best way to regain control of your life is to talk to sympathetic friends and family, or a counselor from a crisis center, a mental health agency or the employee assistance program.

Be Alert When Walking:

Use the Saferide Shuttle Service for Women (7-5000)and/or use DPS Personal Escort (7-3010). If you have to walk alone then follow these guidelines:

• Avoid walking alone at night.
• Travel with a friend or in a group
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings
• If you must walk alone, stay in well-lighted areas, away from alleys, bushes, and entryways.
• Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace.
• Keep your hands free. Avoid overloading yourself with packages and books.
• Avoid dark, vacant or deserted areas; use well-lit, well-traveled routes
• Dress in clothes and shoes which will not hamper movement
• Become familiar with the lighted corridors on the campus (see map).
• Be familiar with the blue-light emergency phones and yellow boxed security phones located throughout campus (see map).
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look, listen, and notice if someone is following you.

If You Sense You Are In Trouble:

• Move away from the potential threat if possible
• Join any group of people nearby; cross the street and increase your pace
• If a threatening situation is imminent, and people are close by to help, yell, scream, blow a whistle or make a commotion in any way you can to get their attention. Remember that people are more likely to respond to shouts of "Fire" and "Call 9-1-1" than to shouts of "Rape."
• Go to an open building or business
• From a safe location, Call 7-7000

Be Alert Where You Live:

• Don't let anyone you do not know well inside your residence hall or apartment.
• Do not open your door unless you know who is there.
• Be sure that the doors of your residence are locked when you are there as well as when you are away. Lock your door even if you just go down the hall to visit a friend.
• Avoid being in isolated areas such as parking structures or laundry rooms by yourself, especially at night.
• Never indicate to anyone that you are alone.
• Use well lighted entrances to your apartment or residence hall.
• If anything appears out of the ordinary at your residence, to a safe place and call the police.

Personal Information Security:

Criminals attempt to gain services by creating fraudulent credit accounts, false identification can also be created using your personal information. Think very carefully before giving any of the following information to strangers:

• Your credit card number or expiration date, unless you know the company is reputable.
• Your checking account number or ATM personal identification number.
• Your telephone calling card number.
• Your social security number. Only give this out if it is legally required.
• Your driver's license number.
• Health information, such as your insurance, medical and mental history, and doctor.
• Information about your home security system, such as whether you have one or not, or your code. Information about those who live with you or whether you live alone.
• Your age or age category.
• Financial information, such as your annual income, mortgage, or financial institution.
• Personal family information, i.e. mother's maiden name.

Always keep track of instances when you have given out personal information.

Protecting Yourself When You Are Out & About:

Don't carry a lot of cash. Women should carry money somewhere other than their purses. Men should carry their wallets in an inside coat pocket or a front pants pocket. If you carry a purse, backpack or briefcase, hold it securely between your arm and your body.

• Always be alert and aware of the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark. Walk confidently, and at a steady pace. Thieves are more likely to single out those who appear hesitant or unsure of themselves.
• Don't be flashy. Expensive clothes and jewelry can make you a target for thieves.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid shortcuts through dark, secluded areas. Stay where other people are around. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend. If you are on campus you can call for an escort between dusk and dawn by dialing 7-3010 from any campus phone. If you jog, do not do so alone.
• Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street; continue walking.
• When walking to your house or car, have your keys ready so you will spend as little time as possible in the open.
• If you are being harassed, loudly say, "Leave me alone!" If that doesn't stop the harassment, continue to attract people's attention and head towards a store or another place where other people are around.
• If you are confronted, give up your valuables. Nothing is as important as your life.
• Try to stay out of arm's reach of the attacker. Don't let the attacker move you into an alley or car. Your best defense if the attacker persists is to yell and run.