A night on the town? Consider these steps

A man approaches a girl in the bathroom and aggressively pushes her into a stall. There is nothing she can do. She tries to scream, but no one can hear her. Amid the panic, it seems as if she just has to give in. But in reality, there is something she can do to protect herself.

The Matthew Online correspondent Liza Himelstein-O’Reilly investigates some of the methods female college students can employ to protect themselves in these frightening situations.

 

 

This autumn, there have been a string of sexual assaults in Rome on American students. This is a harsh reality that can happen to women anywhere, in major cities and campuses alike. 

Rape is defined as the unlawful compelling of a woman through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse. Amanda Cohen who is a sex and relationships peer educator in Santa Barbara California says, “a woman who has been drinking can not legally consent to sex.”   This is just one piece of information that all women should know, and should keep in the back of their mind when out and about.

Also, there are a few simple tips that every woman should have in mind before going out.  Women's safety advocates Arming Women Against Rape and Endangerment (AWARE) say that the best protection for most crimes is prevention. Women can easily prevent crimes just by being aware -- using your eyes, ears, and brain of who and what is around you. 

So, before you head out this weekend, here are a few tips to keep in mind. 

1. Always travel in groups.  Groups of three or more send a message to a potential predator -- that they will have a hard time getting to you. Be sure that everyone in your group is together and do not leave anyone behind. 
2. Be aware of your surroundings. 
3. Stay in lighted areas and in open spaces as in these places it is harder for an attacker to come up from behind unseen by his victim. 
4. While out at night, be confident while walking. An air of confidence means it is less likely that someone will stop you or approach you.
5. Plan ahead. If you do end up going somewhere by yourself or in a smaller group, tell your friends where you are going and where and when they should expect you.
6. Have fun when out. But if you see a friend out of control, step in and take action. For example, it is a bad idea to put someone in a cab by themselves because it is no guarantee that they will make it home safely.
   

By keeping these steps in mind you are six steps closer to a safer and more fun night.