Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Rape Awareness

Prevention Steps

To prevent Sexual Crimes we must find ways to protect ourselves and be aware of where we are and who is around us. In an effort to help spread awareness, I have provided common signs of sexual abuse, safety tips, and a recent survey. This survey asked Sexual Predators, who are in prison, to tell how they chose their victims and why. You may be surprised at some of their responses.

Common Signs of Sexual Abuse

-Promiscuous Behavior
-Alcohol Abuse
-Binge Eating
-Busy Mind (Racing Thoughts)
-Care-taking/Excessively Pleasing People
-Competitive Nature
-Controlling Behavior
-Depression
-Drug Abuse
-Easily Influence by others, music, and television
-Emotional Instability
-Envy/Jealousy
-Excessive spending habits
-Fear
-Guilt
-Low Self-Esteem
-Poor Self Image
-Sexual/Lustful Thoughts
-S.T.D.
-Suspicious Mind
-Uncomfortable around doctors of the opposite sex
-Trouble Sleeping/Other Sleeping Problems
-Fear of the Dark
-Extreme fear of "monsters" or the "boogie man"
-Spacing out at odd times
-Loss of Appetite
-Trouble Eating/Swallowing
-Rage
-Anger
-Withdrawal
-Fear of certain people/places
-Stomach illness all the time with no identifiable cause
-Older children bed wetting/thumb sucking
-Sexual activities with toys or other children
-New words for private body parts
-Refusing to talk about a "secret" he/she has with an adult or older child
-Talking about a new friend
-Suddenly having money
-Cutting or Burnings oneself
-Flirtatious behavior

Safety Tips and Things to Know

-Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can, and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!!

-The elbow is the strongest point on your body.

-If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO THEM. Toss it away from you, chances are that he/she is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and they will go for the wallet/purse. Then run in the other direction!

-If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will.

-Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go.

-If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

- If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the victim is attempting to get into their cars.

-Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If someone is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

-Consider taking a Self Defense class to learn skills used for personal protection.

-ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

-If the predator has a gun and you are not under their control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit a running target 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zigzag pattern.

-As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

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