LADY BEWARE Presented by Jerome County Sheriff s Office

LADY BEWARE Presented by Jerome County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Jim Weaver 2005

Introduction: All types of people are attracted to the Magic Valley due to its geographical location. Most of them are law-abiding citizens. But there are exceptions and you have no way of knowing who is and who is not law-abiding citizens. In today’s society rape has emerged as one of the most serious and threatening crimes. In recent years this crime has escalated at an alarming rate. For this reason, it becomes imperative that women realize the increasing potential danger to themselves from a sexual assault. Rape is among the most frightening and violent of all crimes. The experience of being raped is a shock from which the victim never completely recovers.

The most important thing to remember is that the rapist frequently plans his crime; he looks for the right opportunity and the easiest victim. Your best defense is to minimize his opportunity to attack you. Play it safe! Be aware. Here a few precautions, which will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

Walking: Avoid walking alone. Walk on streets where there are other people. Stay out of alleys, vacant lots and buildings. Walk near the curb and don’t pass to close to shrubbery, dark doorways and other places of concealment. Avoid shortcuts. After dark, carry a flashlight. Carry a shrill whistle in your hand ready to use. If someone follows you, cross the street, head for bright lights and people and be ready to use your whistle.

Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. If a vehicle approaches and you are threatened, turn and run in the opposite direction. The driver will have to turn around and pursue you. Make your screams loud and long! Don’t display money or credit cards, unless absolutely necessary. Never wear expensive jewelry or carry large amounts of money. Keep your money and wallet in an inside pocket of your purse. Secure your purse or handbag under your arm so that it can’t be easily snatched.

When arriving home by taxi or private auto request the driver to wait until you are inside. Have your keys ready so that you can open your house door immediately. If a door or window has been forced or broken while you were absent, do not enter or call out. Someone may still be inside! Use a neighbor’s phone immediately to call law enforcement and wait there until they arrive.

Driving: Travel on well-lighted busy streets. Never let your gas gauge fall below the ¼ tank level. Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up. Don’t leave your purse on the seat. Put it in the glove compartment or on the passenger side floorboard. Your purse serves as an open invitation for the criminal approaching your vehicle.

If you believe that you are being followed by another vehicle, do not drive into your driveway. Should another vehicle attempt to force you to the side of the road, do not pull over. In both instances, obtain the vehicle license number and write it down along with the description of the vehicle. Then continue to a law enforcement facility or an open business and report the incident to law enforcement.

If your vehicle won’t start, don’t let a stranger help you, he may have disabled it. If he insists on helping, lock yourself in the vehicle and sound the horn to attract attention. If your vehicle appears to have been bumped intentionally, remain inside your vehicle and notify 911. Don’t get out of your vehicle to inspect the damage until help arrives. Do not pick up hitchhikers, you have everything to lose.

Should your vehicle become disabled in an isolated area, sit inside with the doors locked until assistance arrives. Leave the windows up while you talk to questionable strangers. Remain inside your vehicle, never leave with a stranger to seek help. Don’t stop in an isolated area to help someone who appears to have a disabled vehicle. Instead send help. Park in a well-lighted area near your destination. Do not park next to vans or other vehicles, structure which could conceal a potential suspect. Look around for loiterers before leaving the vehicle. Lock your vehicle whenever you leave it. This will help safeguard property and discourage thieves.

Check around your vehicle, under your vehicle and the back seat before you enter it. A criminal may have entered and concealed himself to wait for you. A well-lighted garage and front door offer added protection for the unescorted woman.

At Home: List only your last name and initials on your mailbox and in the phone directory to avoid advertising that you are a female who may be living alone. Re-key the door locks after moving into a new house or apartment. Previous tenants or former employees may still have a key. There is no substitute for good, strong deadbolt locks. Avoid hiding duplicate keys in mailboxes, under doormats, or in shrub planters. This will lessen the chances of the criminal finding an easy way into your home.

Install and use a wide-angle door viewer (peep-hole. ) When alone, never open a door to strangers. Small children should be advised not to answer the door. Require identification of all repairmen and salesmen before opening the door. If you have any doubts, call their employer. Verify identification before admitting anyone. Protect your neighbors as well as yourself. Never mention to a stranger that a neighbor lives alone, is home alone, or is away on vacation. Don’t allow strangers to use your telephone to make emergency calls. Never permit them to enter your home. Instead, offer to summon emergency assistance or make the call for them.

If you receive wrong number phone calls, never reveal your name or address or admit that you are alone. Do not give your phone number to an unknown caller but ask what number he is calling. Do not prolong the conversation. Hang up. Notify law enforcement of obscene calls. Keep your windows secured or install window locks on those left open for ventilation. Limit opening to a space small enough to prevent entry. Window locks are available at hardware stores. Draw window shades or drapes after dark. Leave lights on in two or more rooms to indicate the presence of other persons.

Avoid entering an elevator occupied only by a stranger, especially in an apartment building. It is wiser to remain in the lobby for a few minutes. Always stand by the control panel so that you can push the alarm button and any of the other buttons to stop the elevator at the next floor. If you suspect a man who follows you into an elevator, step out immediately. When using a laundry room in an apartment house, never remain there alone. Many women have been assaulted in such areas.

In General: Be alert when you’re alone. Be discreet; don’t broadcast details of your personal plans to casual acquaintances or strangers. If you must work late in an office building, alert a friend or relative so they will know when to expect you. Don’t walk to your vehicle alone if you can avoid it. Walk with a friend. Remember, the opportunity for a rape is increased when you accept an offer of a ride home or a late snack from someone whom you’ve just met at a lounge, club or party.

If Attacked: Be prepared to defend yourself if physically attacked. Think! Don’t panic! Look for a way to escape! Your best defense is noise – loud screaming. Scream “Help!” If there is no response, try screaming “Fire!” People may pay more attention to “Fire!” because it could affect them. If you have exhausted all other possibilities for immediate escape, talk to the rapist. Talk about his family, how he doesn’t want to upset them or involve them. Getting him to talk may give you an opportunity to escape. More women escape by talking than by fighting.

If you physically resist your attacker, don’t hold back. You must totally incapacitate him to enable you to escape. Remember, the object is to get away with the least injury to yourself. Violence is seldom far from the rapist’s mixed-up mind. Rape is much more a crime of violence than of sex. The rapist deals with threats in just two ways: Fight or Flight. If your assailant has a weapon, don’t resist. You will have to gain his confidence if you are to escape the assault. Gaining the man’s confidence is an essential step to gaining your freedom unharmed

Your best chance to react safely is when your assailant’s guard is down. To stall for time, you may need to give the impression that you are going along with him. Your need to go along will end when you see or devise a chance to react safely.

Report the Attack: Always report to the police any type of an assault. You may prevent the man from victimizing other women. Tell the first person you meet. Point out the assailant if he’s still in the vicinity. Do not change clothes, douche, or bathe. You will destroy evidence.

Do not touch or move anything that the attacker used or handled. There may be fingerprints. The police will ensure that you receive proper medical attention. In addition to vaginal slides and other physical evidence, you may be unaware of injuries which may require medical attention.

When the Police Arrive: In conducting a thorough investigation, the officer will ask the victim many questions and will go over the details of the crime. This is necessary because the victim frequently recalls the additional information and details during the subsequent interviews that are important for the apprehension and prosecution of the assailant. Inform the officers of any bruises, cuts, etc. , even if they appear a few days later. These may be photographed to document the force or violence used during the attack

When you are asked to testify, cooperate with the authorities. You will benefit by doing so, and you may prevent others from suffering as you have. Point out any objects the assailant touched or used in committing the crime. These can be used as evidence. Never assume that suspicious persons, occurrences, or vehicles have been reported to the police. Call the police whenever danger threatens. Should your call provide to be a false alarm, it is better to be a bit embarrassed than to be killed, raped, or otherwise injured. Keep the police department number beside your phone and in your purse.

Prepared by Corporal Tracey Hoffman Jerome County Sheriff’s Office Presented by Sheriff Jim Weaver