The prevalence of rape and the publicity given to it for a time, have spawned the emergence of many experts, real or imagined, who came up with an astonishing diversity of advice, oftentimes contradictory, if not outright dangerous. The definition of rape itself went from one extreme to the other. Some ardent feminists did not hesitate to identify persistent propositioning with rape, while male chauvinists dismissed rape when, in their opinion, a woman was "asking for it". The truth is somewhere in-between. A sound definition of rape is forcing a person to perform a sexual act against his/her will. Thus defined, rape is a heinous crime, not only because it is often a violent act, but also because it debases a human by invading his innermost being in an attempt to control and dominate. It is an act of aggression, often expressing anger.  It is mostly committed by people who have not adjusted in expressing their emotions via healthy channels. The effect of rape on its victims is indeed devastating, humiliating, and quite terrifying.

For physiological and societal reasons, men are by far the most common rapists. Although there have been isolated instances of men being raped by women, this occurrence is extremely uncommon. The law provides for another kind of rape: the statutory rape. This is defined as sexual intercourse with a consenting girl who is under age (usually 16). We are not going to consider this situation in what is to follow.

Rapists come from all walks of life and are rarely abnormal or sick. According to statistics most are young, under 25, married and lead normal sex lives. They are usually poor and there is a likelihood that they have been abused as children. Rapists have an urge to control and humiliate their victims and rarely to satisfy sexual desire. They fall into several recognizable patterns and most are repeaters. Lasting cures of rapists are rare.

Rape is very often a premeditated crime. A rapist may wait patiently for the appropriate opportunity to suddenly attack a woman who is a stranger to him, or to force sexual relations on a woman who has no reason to fear him, or to have sex with a woman who has first consented, but then changed her mind. In the latter case sexual desire may well be the motive. It must be added that, not infrequently, the accusation of rape has been used by unscrupulous women for blackmail and/or revenge. Police authorities consider rape as the most underreported crime. Some estimates place at 5-10% those which are reported. There is ample evidence that women, regardless of class, race or even age, may fall victims of rape. There are several ways by which women may prevent being raped and find help if they are. Many localities have efficient rape counseling and information services. Resistance of the victim is not required for prosecution, and hospitals and courts tend to give raped women more sympathy and credibility. The victim of rape should seek immediate medical attention for help, as well as for evidence in case she decides to prosecute. She should also seek counseling and emotional support. Most importantly, she should remember that she is not to blame for having been raped. Rape victims should seek treatment for their injuries if any, and check for pregnancy and venereal disease. In general, the emotions of confusion, shame and fear, which the victim of rape quite often feels, give way to feelings of anger, helplessness, distrust, isolation, debasement, guilt, and more fear of another rape. Talking to a close friend is often invaluable, but if the problem persists, professional help available to victims of rape should be sought.

a. Avoid wearing garments that can easily be grabbed or limit your freedom of action.

b. Determine the safest way to your destination. The safest way may not be the shortest.

c. Inform someone you trust of your destination, phone number there, route and expected time of arrival and return. Inform also the person expecting you of your probable time of arrival.

d. Avoid dressing in a provocative manner if you must go through dangerous areas, or when there is a possibility that you may have to face a dangerous situation.

e. Always carry change for emergency phone calls and a penlite flashlight in your purse.

f. Before leaving the house, lock all doors, windows, and the garage door, and do not leave keys in the mailbox, above the door, under the doormat, etc.

g. Never leave ladders outside, which might help an intruder get in through higher windows.

h. Planning your route will help you avoid dangerous areas, such as high crime, warehouse, industrial ones, lonely dark places, alleys, dark parking lots, doorways, and shrubbery. If no car is following you stay close to the curb and away from entryways and alleys.

i. Avoid conspicuous seductive behavior and carry preferably a purse with a shoulder strap under your arm. Avoid dangling it. Walk with assurance looking like you know where you are going. Sometimes a follower might be discouraged if you sharply turn around and ask him with a menacing tone of voice: "Are you following me?"

j. Have your keys ready to open the door as you approach your home. Do not delay looking for them at the door. If the door is open and you suspect that someone is inside, do not enter. Go to a neighbor and call the police. Call even if you have only suspicions; the police will understand.

k. Should you find an intruder when you get home, do not attempt to interfere with his escape. Leave at once and call the police. Do the same if you see a strange car or person on the premises.

l. When you suspect being followed, cross to the other side of the street, or sharply about-face and run staying away from the curb. If you are still being followed, run to a lighted house or business and call from there. It is helpful to the police if you take note of the license number of the car following you.

m. If possible, vary your daily routine. If not, have neighbors or friends watch for you when you come home. Go to a neighbor*s home when followed.

n. If you are depressed, exhausted, drunk, or high, avoid walking alone, stay near people as much as possible.

o. When waiting for someone or for transportation, stand well balanced, ready for action. As much as feasible, keep your hands free.

p. When asked for directions by someone in a car, stay at a distance, else you could get pulled in.

q. If you carry a whistle or buzzer, keep it handy and do not hesitate to use it if you feel threatened. When you need help in a hurry, break a lighted window of a house, rather than ringing the bell. It is best to accept the responsibility of a broken window than to forego possible help.

r. When threatened, scream "FIRE" and keep screaming, even if you are ordered to stop. If you scream as you go into some kind of action, your chances of survival are better. When embraced, scream to your attacker*s face.

s. As long as no bodily contact has been attempted, act self-assured and relaxed and try to talk your potential attacker out of action. Unless you want to deceive him, and thus make him more vulnerable to a decisive attack, never let him come close to you or touch you; do so without acting panicky. Keeping your distance is essential.

t. Unless you are wearing high heels, do not take off your shoes to throw at your attacker, lest you will be hampered in your flight. Besides, shoes with high heels may be used more effectively at close quarters.

u. Depending on local laws you may use the various commercially available products to repel an aggressor. Any sharp object may be used against his face or groin. When in grave danger, always go for the eyes. A very efficient weapon is a stick, an umbrella, or even a tightly rolled newspaper used for thrusting against the eyes, face, neck, or groin. It is advisable to first kick the shin to create a diversion in a diametrically opposite direction, then attack the face.

v. It stands to reason that if your hands are full, you should drop everything except the one item to be used for thrusting. If nothing else is available and you are wearing shoes with high heels, use them for thrusting to his face.

A weaker person must take care of his car more diligently than a normal person. His car should be in tip-top condition.

a. Be sure you have enough gas for the trip you are about to take. At night gas up at major, busy, well lit gas stations. Fill up your tank when it reaches the half-full mark. Your engine, battery, and tires must be in good condition. In winter use snow tires and carry on you a small antifreeze spray can to prevent frozen locks. The latter must be kept in good condition, as well as all dome and courtesy lights.

b. Park and lock your car in well lit areas with all windows tightly closed. Be sure to take the keys with you and leave nothing valuable behind.

c. Have your keys ready as you approach your car. As you open the door and the dome light goes on, check the front and back seat areas for intruders. Get in the car and lock the doors BEFORE getting the key into the ignition.

d. Stay in gear at intersections and keep your valuables out of sight, otherwise you run the risk of someone putting a brick through the window in order to grab them. Your windows should be either all the way up or nor more than 2-3 inches down for fresh air or when you talk to strangers.

f. Learn the back-up U turn to get out of tight spots. It is quite useful if someone stands in front of your car. Then put it in neutral, rev up the engine, honk to scare him and drive. If he does not move, use the backup U turn and drive away.

g. Do not stop for hitchhikers (men, women, AND children) or for another car, even if it has flashing red lights. Criminals have used such ploys to stop their victims. If you wish to help, go to a safe telephone and call for assistance. Only police officers in uniform will request you to stop your car and get out.

h. When stranded, turn on the emergency blinkers, stay inside, and lock the doors. When you judge it safe and there is no one around, get out quickly open the hood or tie a hanky to the antenna. If near a phone, call police or emergency service. Get back inside, lock the doors and stay put. A CB is a good investment. Call for help on Channel 9 which is monitored by the police. Talk to people only through a slightly open window. Ask them to call the nearest gas station for assistance. Do not get out of the car and do not accept rides from strangers. If you must, be always alert when accepting help from a stranger. It is best to accept help from older couples or another woman. Avoid anyone who changes direction to offer you a ride, speedsters, drunks, and groups of men.

i. Unfortunately, there are situations which force a woman alone to hitchhike. Hitchhiking is awfully dangerous. NEVER do it unless you must, particularly at night in lonely and deserted places. Be absolutely sure to ask the driver HIS destination BEFORE you give him yours. DO NOT get in a car if the door handle (on your side) does not work. Be sure to keep your hand on the door handle while the car is in motion. If in trouble, yell, make a scene, grab the wheel, turn off the ignition. Attack the eyes first, then bite, kick, or hit the groin area.

k. When followed by another vehicle do not drive into your driveway, or leave your car, instead go to the nearest place of business or police station and ask for help.

l. If you are bumped in the rear in a dark isolated area, DO NOT STOP and get out to investigate. Drive to the nearest police or service station and report it. If possible, get the description and the license number of the car that bumped you.

m. Never allow yourself to be forced to the curb, off the road. Keep driving, even if it means denting your car. Your life and bodily integrity are more important. Try to remember the kind of car and its license. Report it to the nearest police station as soon as possible.

n. Avoid unattended underground garages after dark. These are favorite hideouts for criminals. Park on the street and use the front entrance of buildings.

o. Use a garage door opener. If possible have someone open it for you. Leave the car lights on, until you have checked that no one is hiding in the garage.

p. Always leave the absolute minimum of keys when your car is being serviced. Never, ever, leave your house key.

q. When you use a cab, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside the building.

r. Whenever possible, arrange rides with friends.

s. When using public transportation late when few riders are around, sit near the front and stay alert. If there is no front seat available, stand near the front rather than sit on a back seat. If you need information, ask the driver.

t. Avoid getting into empty subway cars. If you must get off at a lonely spot, leave quickly by the nearest exit.

u. If you must drive in very cold weather, follow the advice of the National Weather Service and take along a bag of sand or gravel for traction, booster cables, flares, a snow shovel, flashlight and batteries, extra winter clothing, blanket or sleeping bags, non-perishable food, a thermos with hot beverage, water in a plastic container, instant warm beverage (coffee, tea, or bouillon), matches, a can of sterno fuel and a container for warming the water.

a. Most assaults on women take place at home.

b. Do not advertise that you are living alone. In the telephone book and mailbox use only your first initial with your name. On the mailbox you may even add another fictitious name.

c. Do not leave notes saying that you are not home, and never let a caller know you are alone.

d. Keep emergency numbers near your phone(s) along with writing material.

e. Doors and windows must be locked. Locks must be replaced when you move into a new home or apartment. You never know who might have the keys to the existing locks.

f. It is preferable not to unlock your door unless you are absolutely sure of the identity of the caller. A peephole is a good investment. A chain lock will not prevent a determined intruder from getting in. Strangers should not be admitted under any circumstances. They can go elsewhere to make a phone call, or you can make it for them.

g. Policemen, fire inspectors, salesmen, repairmen carry I. D.s. Ask to see (examine carefully) them BEFORE opening the door and taking off the chainlock. Even with friends and acquaintances you must be very selective in whom you admit. Scanty attire when answering the door might be taken as an invitation, even by friends.

h. Rape being often a premeditated crime, try to vary your routine. Draw the blinds and shades after dark and never dress or undress in front of a window.

i. It is a good idea to have installed bars or gates on windows at the ground floor level and at fire escapes. Gates installed on windows near a fire escape must be capable to be opened easily from the inside in case of fire.

j. Be alert of places where men can hide, such as doorways and stairways. Be sure that all entrances are lighted and leave lights on in at least two different rooms, with a radio or TV playing loud enough to be heard at the entrance, but without disturbing the neighbors.

k. Get to know a neighbor you can trust in an emergency. If you suspect someone is watching you, make a detour, go to a neighbor, so that you do not give away where you are living.

l. Anonymous calls made repeatedly at certain hours may mean that someone is checking to see if you are at home. Hang up on obscene calls. In both cases notify the police.

m. Avoid getting into an elevator with a stranger. If you are trapped, push all buttons and get off at the next stop. Stay near the door, by the buttons. Dash out as the elevator stops and the doors open.

n. When you hear suspicious sounds, automobiles, activities, or people around your neighborhood notify the police immediately.

o. It may happen that you let someone in by mistake. In that case pretend that you are not alone. Mention a brother or a husband asleep.

p. Get a good guard dog, if you can. It will protect you with his life and return your affection.

a. If you are attacked, or in danger of being so, two things will help you. One is psychological conditioning and the other defensive tactics.

b. Keep calm. Keeping a cool head will help you in making choices and have at least some control over the situation. This is easier said than done. Self-confidence, which is developed in training in A.S.P. is Invaluable in that respect. Psychosomatic exercises #52, 55, 57, and 59 are highly recommended for mind-body coordination.

c. Any action you take must be strongly aggressive and fast. When you decide to fight, fight all out. Believe in your ability to defend yourself and turn your fear into cold anger. Your purpose should be to incapacitate momentarily your assailant and get away as fast as you can.

d. You may use your "natural" weapons. Scream, poke your fingers into his eyes, bite his hand, kick his shinbones with the point of your shoe, knee his groin, swing your purse to his head, or drop your luggage on his feet. In short, use an unexpected attack.