*Call a shelter or family violence hotline and talk to an advocate to find out what help is available to you and to help you with your safety plan.

*Have money, clothes, (copies of) important papers, and extra keys, concealed in a safe place in case you need to leave in a hurry. A safe place may include a neighbor or friend’s house, or hidden by the front door.

*Think through all possible escape routes and a plan where you will go…before an attack starts.

*Do emergency drills with your children. Teach them how to dial 911.

*If you have a protective order, carry it with you at all times. Make extra copies and if you can, give it to your employer, the school, and/or your residential management company.

*Talk to neighbors, co-workers, etc. about your situation and work out a signal so they know when to call police. A signal can be verbal or non-verbal.

*Trust your own judgement and intuition. Read The Gift of Fear, by Gavin DeBecker.
Click Here NOW To Get Your Copy Of “The Gift of Fear”

*You have to protect yourself until you are out of immediate danger.

*Leaving your partner can be a dangerous time, plan for safety carefully and always remember…You don’t deserve to be hit or threatened!

*Plan your shopping trip carefully. Know where you are going and what routes you will take to get there.
*If possible, arrange for a companion to go with you. There is safety in numbers.
*Let someone know where you are going and what route you are taking. Additionally, let them know when you expect to return.

When You Are Driving .

*Keep all your doors locked at all times.
*Choose a well-lit and traveled route even if you believe it is out of your way.
*Never allow your fuel tank to become less than half full.
*Never pick up hitch hikers.
*Do not stop to help strangers. Call the police to assist them.
*Avoid confrontations with strangers or with others who might seek to follow you to continue the confrontation.

When You Park Your Car .

*Park in a well-lit area.
*If you are parking during the day and returning to your car after dark, check for street and building lights.
*ALWAYS lock all your doors.
*Remove all electronic items, such as calculators, radar detectors, and all packages from your car. Place them in the trunk or glove compartment, out of sight.
*Avoid parking near vans or other vehicles with covered cargo areas.
*Look around the parking lot for suspicious persons before you get out of your car.
*Avoid carrying large handbags. Carry only what is necessary.
*Shop in groups whenever possible. Use the “buddy system”.
*Don’t get out of your car until you are ready. If you don’t feel safe, stay in the car or drive away.

When You Return to Your Car .

*Never leave the store with your arms full of packages. Use a courtesy cart.
*Have your car key in hand, ready to unlock your door.
*Check the parking lot for suspicious people and look around before you exit the store.
*If you feel unsafe, always ask the store security to assist you to your car.
*If you are parked near a van or other vehicle with a covered cargo area, it is a good idea to return to the store and ask a security officer to accompany you.
*Check underneath, in front and in back of your car before you enter it.
*Check the front and rear passenger seats inside your car before you enter it.
*Place all packages in the trunk compartment and out of sight.

When You Are Returning Home.

*Frequently check your rear-view mirror to see if you are being followed. If you feel like you are being followed, DO NOT go home. Drive to the nearest police station, fire station or other place of safety.
*Use your cellular telephone, if you have one, to call the police. Try to obtain a license plate number, how many people are in the car and a good description of the car that you believe is following you.

If Your Car Breaks Down .

*If you are off the roadway, raise the hood of your vehicle then get back into your car and lock the doors.
*If you have a cellular telephone, call for help.
*If a stranger stops, lower the window only enough to allow you to request that they contact the police for you. REFUSE ALL OTHER HELP.
*If someone tries to force their way into your car, turn on your headlights and begin blinking them and blow your horn at the same time to attract attention and help.

Also.

*Avoid carrying cash. Use checks whenever you can. Carry only those credit cards that are necessary for the store you shop.

How To Outsmart A Purse Snatcher
If you carry a purse, don’t wrap the strap around your shoulder, neck or wrist. If your purse is grabbed, a strong strap will not yield easily and you may be injured. Never carry anything more valuable than you can afford to lose. Always leave all unnecessary credit cards at home. When you shop and carry a purse, place it in your shopping bag. Never leave your purse on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart – even for a moment.

Don’t Carry Dangerous Weapons
For personal protection you should carry a police whistle or a flashlight. For self defense, carry pepper spray or mace spray on your key chain where they’re readily available. Make a habit to carry your key chain in a pocket – NOT in your purse. And, you should never put your name and address on your house keys or car keys. This is simple a way of telling the thief who you are and where you live.

CALL THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY
Most victims are attacked from behind. They don’t get a good look at the attacker. And when a juvenile gets away with it once, he’ll try it again. If attacked, call the police immediately. Try to remember all details – help your police help you!

One Last Thing
One good way to prevent purse snatching is not to carry a purse, or to carry it in a way that makes it quite inaccessible, such as wearing it under your coat. Many women think that wearing a shoulder bag with the strap diagonally across their body is a good idea but, in fact, if someone grabs the purse in that position and tries to run with it, it can catch the strap around your neck. Keeping your purse close to your body and your arm over it makes it a little bit harder for someone to grab the purse. Also, being aware of who is around you is also very important.

If you have just been sexually assaulted

* Get to a safe place. If you are in danger, or want to report the incident, call for immediate police assistance at 911.
* Contact someone to help you – a friend, the police, a parent, etc.
* Get medical attention right away. Even if you don’t want to report this to the police, you may have injuries of which you are unaware. Medical personnel can talk with you about your options for the prevention of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. If you are reporting the assault to the Police you will be taken to the hospital where a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE nurse) will collect evidence through the use of a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK). The evidence collection will be done along with a medical exam that will address your medical needs.
* Do not shower, drink or eat, douche, or change your clothes. These activities destroy physical evidence that can be used if you choose to report the assault to the police.
* Do not move anything at the scene, if appropriate. If you choose to press charges, the police will need to examine the scene for evidence.

Following a Sexual Assault

Emotional reactions:

* Long after the assailant leaves, the effects of the assault may still be with you. The crime has medical, legal and emotional aftereffects which may take weeks, months or years to resolve. During the months following an assault, survivors may continue to experience a wide range of emotions such as fear, distrust, anger, shame, humiliation, and guilt. Some may also believe that there is something wrong with them because they are continuing to have difficulties months after the assault.
* The reality is that everyone recovers at a pace and in a manner that is unique and appropriate to them. Recovery from sexual assault occurs in stages and is very subjective; what one person considers recovered another might not. After several months you may find that acute symptoms, such as nightmares or flashbacks, have dissapeared, while other symptoms, such as higher levels of anxiety and fear, may persist for some time. Survivors may find that certain times and/or events – particularly the anniversary day of the assault – trigger some of these feelings. While it may be frustrating to be experiencing these symptoms of trauma long after the assault, gradually they will decrease in frequency and change in character.
* The ways that survivors handle feelings and reactions will vary. Some try to block intense emotions by becoming very busy while others deal with these feelings by talking about the assault frequently. Some are afraid of crowded situations and prefer to keep to themselves, while others are afraid to be alone. It is important to not become isolated, but the manner and pace in which you deal with these feelings and reactions should be one that is comfortable for you.

Getting Support

* Talking about the assault and developing a network of support can be a very important part of the healing process. Sometimes, or for some people, talking with friends and family is most helpful. Or, you may prefer speaking with a trained counselor. A counselor can also help you to build a support network and consider the ways in which the people in your life can be helpful. Some people think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Others see it as making use of available resources and expertise, recognizing that most people are not naturally prepared to handle a sexual assault.
* Many have found support and understanding in talking with other survivors through a support group. Group members discover that they are not alone – that others have felt the same way they do. It is also a chance to share ideas of what has been helpful for recovery. In addition, some have found it helpful to take a self-defense class and/or learn about risk reduction and ways to increase their sense of safety.

Remember…

* Recovery takes time;
* It was not your fault;
* Being vulnerable or intoxicated is not an excuse for someone to assault you;
* Rape or sexual assault is not an act of sex or lust – it is about aggression, power, humiliation;
* Complying and cooperation is not the same as consent.
* Sometimes cooperating or complying is the best thing to do;
* Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. This includes proper eating, rest and relaxation, doing nice things for yourself, and asking for help.