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RAPE PREVENTION - NO PAT ANSWERS

NCJ Number
48358
Author(s)
P PETTIT; R PROUSE
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SEVERAL WOMEN RELATE THEIR RAPE EXPERIENCES IN THIS FILM, SHOWING TACTICS THEY HAVE DEVELOPED TO PREVENT RAPE IN THE FUTURE.
Abstract
AN OLDER WOMAN TELLS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE, EXPLAINING HOW THE RAPE TOOK PLACE. BEFORE IT HAPPENED, SHE WAS A NORMAL, TRUSTING INDIVIDUAL, LIVING ALONE IN A LARGE HOUSE, WITHOUT ANY FEARS. AFTER HER RAPE, THE WOMAN DESCRIBES MEASURES SHE HAS TAKEN IN HER OWN HOME TO PREVENT RAPISTS FROM ENTERING. SHE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN WALKING IN THE STREETS, SHE CARRIES HER KEYS BETWEEN HER FINGERS AND USUALLY WALKS VERY SELF-ASSUREDLY, TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE SHE IS GOING EVEN IF SHE DOES NOT. A YOUNGER WOMAN SAID SHE WAS RAPED BY A MAN WITH WHOM SHE WAS OUT ON A DATE. SHE ALSO SUGGESTS SOME SELF-DEFENSE TACTICS WHICH MAY ALLOW THE RAPE VICTIM TO ESCAPE. ANOTHER WOMAN STRESSES THE USE OF GOOD JUDGMENT. PHYSICAL RESISTANCE MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THE BEST DEFENSE. OTHER ALTERNATIVES INCLUDE TRYING TO TALK THE RAPIST OUT OF IT, FAKING BEING SICK, TELLING THE RAPIST THAT YOU JUST HAD AN OPERATION AND THAT SEX OF ANY KIND WOULD HURT YOU SEVERELY, OR SIMPLY ORDERING HIM TO GO AWAY. IN ANY CASE, GOOD IDENTIFICATION OF THE RAPIST WILL HELP THE POLICE FIND AND ARREST HIM SO THAT LEGAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN AGAINST HIM. IN CASES OF CHILD MOLESTATION, THE CHILD MAY BE AFRAID TO TELL THE PARENTS WHAT HAS HAPPENED; IN SUCH A CASE THE CHILD'S BEHAVIOR IS THE TRUEST INDICATOR THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. THE CHILD'S GUILT MUST NOT BE ADDED TO BY PUNISHMENT, AND CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO BE AWARE OF EVERYTHING AROUND THEM. (BAC)

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