AFTER HER CAR BREAKS DOWN, A YOUNG WOMAN ACCEPTS A RIDE HOME FROM A MAN SHE BRIEFLY KNEW IN SUMMER SCHOOL. WHEN SHE REFUSES TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIM, THE YOUNG MAN STOPS AT THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND TRIES TO FORCE HIMSELF ON HER. THE WOMAN'S ASSERTIVE STATEMENTS PREVENT HIM FROM ATTACKING HER. BY EXPRESSING HER FEELINGS, NEEDS, AND RIGHTS SIMPLY AND HONESTLY SHE NOT ONLY ESCAPES DANGER BUT ILLUSTRATES HOW ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR CAN BE USED AS A METHOD OF NEGOTIATING DIFFERENCES, RESOLVING CONFLICT, AND ACHIEVING GREATER HONESTY IN RELATIONSHIPS. A DISCUSSION GUIDE IS INCLUDED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR VERSION OF DESIRABLE SEX AND CLOSENESS WITH THE OPPOSITE GENDER AND TO LEARN HOW TO DECLARE THEIR FEELINGS CONCERNING SEXUALITY. ASSERTIVENESS IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE AGGRESSIVE STEREOTYPE OF THE RAPIST AND TO THE COMPLIANT STEREOTYPE OF THE VICTIM. BECAUSE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN DEFINE THEIR SEXUALITY DURING ADOLESCENCE, THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT ASSERTIVE SELF-EXPRESSION. (WJR)