Sexual Assault Prevention

Tips for Preventing Sexual Assault

• Whenever possible, park in a well lighted area.

• Always keep the car locked when driving and when parked.

• Rapists look for persons who appear vulnerable and apparently inattentive to their surroundings. Keep alert and walk with a purpose. Present an air of confidence, but avoid showing a superior attitude, as the rapist may "want to pull you off your pedestal". Use common sense, but display enough concern not to appear to be a vulnerable target.

• Avoid walking alone, especially if you are depressed, exhausted or intoxicated.

• If you think someone is following you, change your route, walk faster or slower, or cross the street. If you sense danger, go to a well lighted public area, an open store, or lighted private residence and draw attention to yourself.

• Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. Once you've done this, you've lost almost all control over your situation. Many sexual assaults occur when a rapist traps a person alone in a car.

• Be honest with your friends, dates or acquaintances. When you mean "no," say "no." Some people will find a "maybe" or a "yes" if you are not clear and take advantage of it.

• If you are in the habit of using laundromats, go with a neighbor or friend. These are high risk areas for sexual assaults.

• If you are ever approached or observe something suspicious, obtain a description of any person or vehicle involved, including license number. This information can be valuable for law enforcement purposes.

Defensive Measures

The following are various defenses available to you. No one can guarantee that a specific tactic will work for you all the time or at any location.

You should consider and evaluate your options before you are confronted. There will be little or no time to think it over during an attack.

Remember, you are dealing with a troubled person, one who does not recognize your rights as an individual. All rapists have the potential to be violent; sexual assault is a violent crime. Consider these facts when determining alternatives.

Passive Resistance

Passive resistance requires dealing with attackers by reasoning and talking or using some technique other than force to "defuse" them. Passive tactics require advance mental preparation to decrease the chance of panic and to allow you to react more quickly. These tactics can take many forms.

• Calm the attacker, trying to persuade them not to carry out the attack and gaining their confidence.

• Claim to be ill, menstruating or pregnant. The threat of a case of VD may stop your attacker.

• Cause yourself to vomit or urinate.

• Cry or create a scene of emotional or mental instability. Fake a faint.

• Fake an epileptic seizure.

Keep in mind that the rapist is often a con artist himself, so whatever measure you use should be unexpected and convincing. Whatever you choose, follow through with it once you start.

Active Resistance

Active resistance is intended to distract, discourage or forcefully stop the attacker. It can range from a simple whistle or scream to fighting tactics. It is very important to realize that ANY FORM of active resistance risks reprisal from the attacker and could possibly make them much more violent. It is important to work out tactics in advance and make your best effort the first time. You'll want your actions to be unexpected and immediately effective. The following are known defensive measures.

• A diverting noise, such as whistle, a scream or yelling "call police" or "fire" may frighten away your assailant and call attention to your problem. This tactic is best used when you have advance warning of an attack. It is only useful should there be someone nearby to hear the sound.

• If you carry a whistle; keep it on a key chain or other handy location. DO NOT carry it around your neck  with a strong chain or cord, as it could be used to strangle you.

• Running can be effective, if you are reasonably certain that you can get a good lead and can reach safety. Consider your physical condition and ability against your chance of being overtaken.

• Fighting is probably the tactic to try after all other tactics have failed, or you have a reasonably believe other tactics will fail. If you start out with a fight, you will have little or no opportunity to try another method. If you decide to fight, you must be willing to inflict serious injury and even cause permanent injury to your assailant. Force, to be effective, must be applied to vulnerable areas. Examples would be a kick or forceful squeeze to the testicles, a hard strike to the throat, stamping hard on the instep or poking the eyes. The (non-sport oriented) martial arts probably offer the most effective self defense training. However, they require extensive training and continuous practice. Even so, training in various forms of judo and karate is increasingly popular. Training can be obtained by contacting the UW Oshkosh Women's Center, various athletic/health organizations and businesses which specialize in these. Be aware that if you hesitate, go only part way or fail to incapacitate your assailant, you may increase the chance of retaliatory injury (or even death). Your first forceful method must be an all out effort; you may never get another opportunity. If your attacker has a weapon you should not try to fight.

• Weapons are occasionally carried by students for self defense. Traditional weapons such as firearms, knives, chemical sprays, etc., are extremely dangerous unless the person carrying them is trained, proficient in their use and willing to use them; otherwise an assailant can easily turn a weapon against you. Further, most weapons are normally carried in a purse, which is among the first items to be lost or taken away during an assault. Many weapons are illegal if carried by anyone other than law enforcement officers in the State of Wisconsin. Check legalities with the UW Oshkosh Police Department or your local law enforcement agency before selecting or carrying such a weapon. Common, legally carried weapons are your keys, placed sideways between the fingers, and used in a downward thrust.

The State of Wisconsin has legalized O.C. pepper spray for carry as a self defense spray. You must remember that pepper spray may not be effective if it is windy, your assailant is intoxicated, or you miss his eyes. Pepper spray is not effective on all people. If you are in close proximity to your assailant, you may get a "splatter" of pepper spray in your eyes and become incapacitated.

Submitting to an Attack

The National Crime Prevention Coalition and the UW Oshkosh Police Department view sexual assault in the following manner:

"In every sexual assault (rape), the attacker threatens victim's safety or life. Sometimes a rapist threatens the victim's children or other family members. If you believe you might get hurt by defending yourself, or if you're afraid to fight back, don't. Submitting to a sexual assault out of fear for your safety, or your family's safety, does not mean you consented. It is still a sexual assault and still a crime, even if you don't have a single cut or bruise. It should be reported to the police. Victims who do not resist should never feel guilty. It is the rapist who committed the crime"

After an Attack

It is not unusual for a sexual assault victim to feel afraid to talk to someone after the attack, but it is very important. If the attack occurs at the University, call the UW Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 424-1216. Otherwise call your local law enforcement agency.

Reporting the incident, to the police, will assure that you receive necessary medical attention, contact with appropriate community services, and help the police gain information that may lead to the arrest of your attacker or aid in the investigation of similar assaults. Even when you call the police, you are not obligated to go through with a prosecution (i.e. take your attacker to court) if you don't want to.

If you do not wish to call the police, it is still strongly advised that you contact your community adviser, residence hall director, the Dean of Students office or your local Rape Crisis Center.

In any case, be sure to seek qualified medical attention.

The Guarantee For Sexual Assault Victims

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh recognizes sexual assault as a serious crime and encourages victims to report incidents. Our guarantee for sexual assault victims reflects our concern for survivors and emphasizes sensitivity, privacy, and the need for trust and confidence. Our primary concern is for the victim. The investigation and the prosecution, or discipline, of the suspect may prevent future assaults. For these reasons the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has adapted the guarantee for sexual assault victims.

• We will meet with you privately, at a place of your choice, in this area, to take a complaint.

• If you feel most comfortable talking with a female or male officer, or staff member, we will try to accommodate your request.

• You may file a complaint through the UWO Police, at the Dean of Students office, or both. We will fully investigate your case. You will be kept up-to-date on the progress of the investigation and/or prosecution.

• Our officers and other staff will not prejudge you, and you will not be blamed for what occurred.

• We will continue to be available to answer your questions, explain the system and process involved, and be willing listeners.

• We will help arrange for any hospital treatment or other medical needs.

• We will assist you by confidentially counseling, safety, advising and other services.

• We will treat you and your case with courtesy, sensitivity, dignity, understanding and professionalism.

•  We will consider your case seriously, regardless of your gender or the gender of the suspect.

• We will ask the press to respect your privacy. Local media have been very sensitive to the confidentiality of those reporting sexual assaults.