How to Avoid Rape 331
It can be hard to act on these feelings
because you may be afraid of what other
people will think. In addition, if the
person is someone you know or care
about, you may not want to admit
that he would do you harm. But it
is always best to trust your feelings
and get out of a situation that
feels uncomfortable before
anything bad happens.
Be prepared to get away:
• Avoid going somewhere alone with a person who makes
you feel uncomfortable or who you do not know well.
• Always have a way to get home if you decide you need to
leave. It is better not to go somewhere if you will not be
able to get back without the person’s help.
• Tell the person that his comments or touch make you
uncomfortable. If he does not change the way he is acting
you should get away from him as soon as possible.
If he has power over you (for example if he is your boss, your
doctor, a teacher, or an official):
• The first time he does something that makes you feel
uncomfortable, tell him to stop. If he is trying to take
advantage of his power, he will look for someone who is
easy to frighten. Let him know that you are not frightened.
He is less likely to treat you badly (for example to fire you,
refuse you medical care, or deny your request) if you can
get him to stop bothering you before he has done anything
that makes him look foolish.
• Talk to other women about him. You are probably not the
only one he has bothered. If you must continue to deal
with him, try to bring a friend with you so you are never
alone with him. Warn other women to be careful.
I don’t want
to look stupid by
running away from
him... It’s probably
nothing anyway.
Trust your feelings.
It is better to
offend someone if
you are wrong than
to be raped.
➤ Be aware that if
a man cannot gain
control over a woman
through sexual
violence, he may try
to gain control over
her in other ways.
Help children avoid sexual abuse
• Teach children about the possibility that they may be touched
sexually, and how to tell the difference between touching that
is affectionate and touching that is sexual.
• If possible, have girls and boys sleep separately, especially after
age 10 or 11 years old.
• Make sure children know who they can talk to if something
should happen to them.
• Believe a child who says he or she feels uncomfortable
around an adult or older child—no matter who that person is.
➤ Sometimes sexual
abuse of children
continues for many
years. A girl may be
told that she will be
harmed or even killed
if she tells anyone
about it.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012