Protecting Against Sexual Assault

During Telephone Calls

• Never give a caller any reason to think you are home alone
• Do not give your name, phone number or address to a telephone caller
• Hang up on obscene or frightening phone calls. If they persist, blow a whistle loudly into the mouthpiece. Write down the date, time, and what was said and heard in each call.
• If threatening or obscene calls persist, report them to the phone company and block the phone number after making a police report.

In Your Car

• Always check the back seat of your car before entering
• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up at all times
• Always park in a well-lit busy location
• If someone tries to force their way into your car, blow the horn
• Keep your car properly maintained
• If you think you are being followed by another car do not go home, drive to the nearest police or fire station, open gas station, or other well-lit place, do not get out of your car, rather, use your horn to summons help
• Be sure your house, garage and driveway are well lit
• When you reach home, leave your car lights on until you open the garage and have your house key ready before you get out of the car
• Leave your car in gear when you have to stop at intersections
• When you go out, be sure to let someone know your destination, route and expected time of return
• Use busy, well-lit streets when possible
• Be sure you have enough gas to get to your location
• If you wish to help a stranded motorist, do not stop, go to the nearest telephone and call for help
• If you park your vehicle during the day and return at night, park near the street and building lights when possible
• Stay alert and attuned to things going on around you, do not leave your car if you observe any suspicious persons in the area
• Have your car key ready before you approach the car so you do not make yourself vulnerable while searching for the right key
• When parking in a valet lot, leave only your ignition key
• If your car breaks-down in an isolated area, turn on the emergency blinkers, raise your hood, get back in your car as quickly as possible, lock your doors and keep the windows rolled up. If someone stops, ask that they send help, do not get out of your vehicle or accept rides from anyone other than properly identified repair and delivery personnel.
• Never open your door to anyone you do not know. Always verify by telephone that these persons work for the company they say they represent and have been sent for the reason stated.
• Most service company employees carry identification cards. Examine the identification carefully. If such a person does not have an ID, get their name and call the company they claim to represent before letting them in.

In Your Home

• Keep doors locked at all times
• Do not hide door keys outside your home
• If door keys have been lost, change locks or re-key immediately
• Avoid giving your house keys to anyone other than family members or trusted friends
• Be sure the exterior of your home is well lighted at night
• Instruct children never to answer a doorbell or a knock at the door
• Put curtains or blinds on all windows and keep them closed at night
• Install solid wood or metal doors equipped with good deadbolt locks
• Move exterior door hinges to the interior or install non-removable hinge pins
• Install a wide-angel peephole for a full view outside the door
• Do not leave clubs or night spots with strangers or invite them to your apartment or home
• When moving into a house or apartment, change or re-key all locks
• Know the neighbors you can trust in an emergency
• When returning home, have your keys ready and enter the house as quickly as possible
• Use your initials rather than your first name in the phone book and on your mailbox
• If you hear a prowler inside your house, get out of the house, if possible, through a back door or window to avoid any confrontation with the prowler
• If you sense that something is not right, do not go into your home or apartment, call the police
• If a stranger asks to use your phone, get the information and place the call for the requestor, do not allow any stranger into your home
• Never let it be known that you are home alone
• Avoid going out alone at night

While Walking

• Avoid walking alone at night
• Walk only on busy, well lit streets
• Vary your daily routine
• Carry a whistle
• Do not walk too closely to the inside of a sidewalk, near bushes, alley entrances, driveways or entrances to private places
• Try not to overload yourself with packages
• Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers
• If a car approaches and the driver bothers you, walk in the opposite direction
• If someone asks you for directions from their car, do not walk over to them, make them speak louder
• Don’t walk through dark parking lots, parks or other dark places
• If you think someone is following you, do not go home, go instead to a neighbor’s house, open business or other well lighted place where there should be people to help you
• If you arrive home by taxi or with a friend, ask them to wait until you are inside your home