What is rape?

In the state of California, rape is defined as an act of sexual intercourse, perpetrated against a woman without her consent. As such—

An employee can be raped by her boss.
A teenager can be raped by her date.
A wife can be raped by her husband

Rape is a crime which affects all members of society both as its victims, and as those close to them. The more informed all citizens are about the crime of rape, the better prepared they will be to prevent it. (Although not as common, the incidence of males sexually assaulting other males is on the increase. Thus, whenever discussing the crime of rape, it is important to remember that women are not the only victims.)

The Myths

Rape is an act of passion.
Women secretly desire rape.
Women invite rape by acting or dressing seductively.
Rape is a crime which takes place in dark, isolated locations.
Rapists look and act strangely.
Only young, attractive women are raped.

The Facts

Rape is an act of violence and hostility - not an act of passion.
Fantasizing about aggressive sex is not the same as desiring rape.
Approximately 50% of rapes occur in or about the home.
Approximately 50% of rapes occur during the day.
In the majority of cases, the rapist is known to his victim.
The majority of rapists are not armed.
The majority of rapes are pre-planned.
In Sacramento County, rape has been reported in cases where victims were under 1 year of age and over 90.
Nationwide, only 1 out of 10 rapes are reported.
The first line of defense against rape occurs when a woman admits to herself that she is a potential victim regardless of age, perceived degree of attractiveness or socio-economic status.

Safety on the Street

Travel in well lighted, well traveled areas.
If possible, walk in pairs.
Walk facing traffic.
Plan your route ahead of time.
Know your neighborhood - be aware of nearby businesses, their hours of operation and their locations.
Avoid shortcuts, bushy areas, and alleyways.
Dress for ease of movement.
If possible, don't carry a purse.
Don't burden yourself with bulky packages or belongings.
Walk assertively and maintain a sharp awareness of your surroundings.
If you sense you are being followed, immediately cross to the opposite side of the street and head for the nearest open business or occupied dwelling.
When seeking help from the occupant of a residence, yell fire as opposed to help, rape, or murder, and use any means necessary to draw attention to the situation.

Safety in the Home

Install good locks on doors and windows and use them.
Only put your last name on your mailbox, or consider inventing roomates.
If you choose to list your phone number, only list your first initial and last name. Never include your address in the telephone book.
Install a door eye-viewer in your door.
Never automatically open your door without knowing who is on the other side - talk through the door.
Don't rely on chain latches and screen doors for security as they are no barrier to intruders.
Instruct your children in safe door and telephone techniques.
Don't answer questions asked over the telephone.
Ask for identification from service people. If still not satisfied, call the business and verify that the visit is a legitimate one.
Have someone present whenever a man is going to be performing a service in your home.

Safety in the Car

Have your keys in your hand when going to and from your car.
Lock the doors and roll up the windows whenever you leave your car.
Keep the doors and windows locked whenever you are in your car.
Prior to entering your car, always check both under the car and behind the front seat.
Park in well lighted, well populated areas.
Be aware of your surroundings as you walk through parking lots—suspects often hide between parked cars.
If your car breaks down, raise the hood and turn on the emergency flashers. Remain in your locked car until help arrives. If someone stops to offer assistance, ask them to send a tow truck or to contact local law enforcement. Talk through the window.
If you are being followed, don't turn into your own driveway. Head for the nearest populated area or open business.

Safety in a Social Situation

Our increasingly mobile society necessitates added caution in the areas of dating and meeting people. As it is no longer realistic to rely solely on personal references and introductions when meeting new people, it becomes even more important to maintain a degree of caution in unfamiliar social situations.

When first meeting a new friend, exchange phone numbers, not addresses.
Keep someone apprised of your whereabouts when dating a man for the first time.
It is a good idea to refrain from going to bars and clubs alone. However, should you choose to do so, have your own transportation available, and use it.
Don't allow alcohol or drugs to cloud your common sense.
If a man persists in asking for your phone number, and you feel it would cause a problem should you refuse, give him a phony number (i.e., a recorded message).
Know what your personal social standards are and stick to them. Don't allow your judgment to be overruled by an aggressive pursuer.

Some Additional Suggestions

Don't enter elevators with a lone man. If you do end up alone with a man, stand next to the buttons and push them all if attacked.
When at the bank, don't discard deposit slips in the available receptacle—they contain information (i.e., name and address) which you would not want falling into the hands of strangers.
Consider printing your work phone number as opposed to your home phone number on checks.

Self Defense

For years a certain amount of controversy has surrounded the issue of whether or not a woman should resist a sexual assault. Studies exist which support points of view ranging from strong resistance to total submission. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to self defense. Ultimately, the decision rests with the individual and should be based on considerations such as the location (isolated vs. populated), whether or not a weapon is involved, the victim's physical capabilities, and the perceived chance of success.

Passive Self Defense

Talking your way out of a situation.
Telling the rapist you're pregnant, menstruating, or afflicted with a communicable disease can be an effective ploy.
Faking submission and waiting for an appropriate opportunity to make an escape.
Urinating, defecating, or vomiting.
NOTE: Initiating a passive defense may not work in all situations. If it fails, you can then escalate to an active defense.

Active Self Defense

If you choose to fight, fight effectively. A half-hearted attempt at resistance could be worse than no resistance at all.
Before initiating a physical defense, you should be aware of your capabilities—both physical and mental. If you cannot imagine yourself exerting whatever force necessary to ward off an attacker, then perhaps a more passive approach is more viable for you.
Have some idea of what you intend to do should you be attacked. If you have given prior thought to the matter, you will be better prepared to avoid debilitating panic.
Self defense classes aimed at teaching everyday defensive maneuvers can help build confidence.
Don't underestimate the power of your voice as an effective defensive tool. If you feel your voice may fail you when you need it most, practice screaming.

Devices

Whistle — can be a good attention getting device. However, whistles can be difficult to blow when breathless or frightened. Should you carry a whistle, never wear it on a string around your neck or wrist.

Shrill alarm — another good attention getting device. Shrill alarms are compressed air or gas and emit a shrill piercing sound.

Mace — a chemical irritant which causes burning and irritation of the eyes, nose, and skin. Mace will not permanently incapacitate an attacker. It is primarily useful as a temporary diversion. Because mace is considered a non-lethal weapon, you must attend a class and obtain a permit in order to legally purchase and carry mace. While mace can be an effective defensive device, it does not work in all situations. Mace has little or no effect on individuals who are seriously intoxicated, under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs, or who have a condition which affects the nerve endings. If used on a windy day or in an enclosed area, mace could affect not only the suspect, but the victim as well

Note: For these devices to be useful, they must be immediately accessible should you be attacked. If left in trunks, desk drawers, or buried at the bottom of a purse, they will not help you in an emergency.

Reporting a Rape

Over the years there has been a great deal of negative publicity devoted to the treatment of sexual assault victims by the Criminal Justice System. In the past, victims often felt that they, rather than the rapist, were on trial. Victims' prior sexual conduct became a routine part of court testimony, thereby raising questions regarding the victim's morality and as such the validity of the sexual assault charge. Fortunately, the last few years have brought about a sensitization of the Criminal Justice System to the plight of the sexual assault victim. Recent legislation has blocked the admissability of questions relating to the victim's sex life. Additionally, law enforcement agencies are beginning to realign their approach to the investigation of rape cases by using specially trained sexual assault investigators who are sensitive to the needs and concerns of the sexual assault victim.

What to Expect

When you first report a rape, a uniformed officer will respond to your location. His or her first responsibility is to secure your safety and well-being.
The officer will take a brief statement from you and will then transport you to the hospital for a rape examination. You may have a friend, relative, or Rape Crisis counselor with you throughout this process. In order to preserve valuable evidence, it is imperative that you neither bathe, douche, nor change clothes prior to reporting the rape. In addition, it is advisable to leave the crime scene undisturbed. Bedding, items touched by the suspect, cigarette butts, etc. can yield vital information regarding the identity of your assailant.
A day or two later, an investigator from the Sexual Assaults Section will contact you for a more detailed statement.
Should an arrest be made, and should the case go to trial, you will undoubtedly be asked to testify. Keep in mind that rape trials are no longer the horror stories once depicted. A counselor from Rape Crisis can alleviate your concerns somewhat by letting you know what to expect and by accompanying you throughout the court process.

Third Party Reporting

In order for rapists to be apprehended, it is necessary for a sexual assault to be reported. However, if you believe that you are not prepared to cope with the criminal justice process, you can make a report through the Sacramento Rape Crisis Center. Center staff will see to it that the local law enforcement agency is informed of the assault.

NOTE: Third party reporting is never as effective as direct communication with a trained investigator. While third party reporting notifies police of the occurrence of a sexual assault, a third party report is useless for the purposes of Prosecution and conviction.