Atlantic Area

 How can I lower my risk of sexual assault?

There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.

• Be aware of your surroundings—who’s out there and what’s going on. Keep an eye on your drink.
• Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
• Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
• Be assertive—don’t let anyone violate your space.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
• Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
• Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
• Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
• Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
• Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
• Have your key ready to use before you reach the door—home, car, or work.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
• Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.

In addition members may want to:

·         Go on liberty in groups of at least three.

·     Similar to a designating a driver, designate someone to watch over the group that night and watches for cues to intervene in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.

·     Look for phone apps that may provide some additional personal safety, (such as; “Circle of 6” app on Practical Steps section of LANT Sexual Assault Prevention Resources) .

·     If you see a friend who is “out of it” and is being intimate with someone, you should pull them aside and try your best to make sure that person is safe and knows what he or she is doing. If it’s the opposite situation, and your friend is trying to engage in a sexual encounter with someone who is “out if it”, you should try to pull them aside and stop them from getting themselves into trouble.

·     Don’t be a bystander.  If you see something that does not look right, say something.

You always have the right to say “no” and you always have the right to change your mind at any time regardless of your past experiences with other people or the person you are with. Below are some things you can say or do if you want so stop:

·          Say “No”

·          Say “I want to stop”

·          Say “I need to go to the bathroom/toilet”

·          Leave

 If I see something that does not look right, how can I intervene?

There are things you can do If you see a friend who is “out of it” and is being intimate with someone, you should pull them aside and try your best to make sure that person is safe and knows what he or she is doing. If it’s the opposite situation, and your friend is trying to engage in a sexual encounter with someone who is “out if it”, you should try to pull them aside and stop them from getting themselves into trouble.

·         Call the person on their cell phone or interrupt to give them an “out”

• Challenging comments that are harmful and promote harassment and violence
• Have someone distract the aggressor while taking the person away.
• Find someone who came with the individual to take the person away
• Tell the host/hostess of the party

·         Call 911