Personal SafetyPersonal SafetyPresentationPresentation

December 16, 2003December 16, 2003

Fargo North High SchoolFargo North High SchoolSponsored by:Sponsored by:

Fargo Police DepartmentFargo Police DepartmentFargo Rape and AbuseFargo Rape and Abuse

North Dakota State UniversityNorth Dakota State UniversityFargo Public SchoolsFargo Public Schools

“Women must not depend on the“Women must not depend on theprotection of a man, but must be taughtprotection of a man, but must be taughtto defend herself.”to defend herself.”

Susan B. Anthony--1871Susan B. Anthony--1871

As citizens of the Fargo-Moorhead area, we areAs citizens of the Fargo-Moorhead area, we arefortunate to have one of the lowestfortunate to have one of the lowest

violent crime rates in the country.violent crime rates in the country.

Recent incidents in our state have made us moreRecent incidents in our state have made us moreaware of issues concerning our own safety, as wellaware of issues concerning our own safety, as wellas the safety of our family and friends. Whileas the safety of our family and friends. Whilethese incidents are distressing, we encouragethese incidents are distressing, we encourageeveryone to stay alert, but not to panic.everyone to stay alert, but not to panic.

Rape prevention is learning how Rape prevention is learning how notnot to be a victim. to be a victim.

Prevention is reducing the possibility of becomingPrevention is reducing the possibility of becomingan attack victim through awareness and avoidancean attack victim through awareness and avoidancetechniques.techniques.

By using common sense and practicing simpleBy using common sense and practicing simplesafety rules, you can greatly diminish your risk ofsafety rules, you can greatly diminish your risk ofever being a victim of a violent attack.ever being a victim of a violent attack.

YOU have the power to take control of your ownYOU have the power to take control of your ownpersonal safety.personal safety.

Date/Acquaintance RapeDate/Acquaintance Rape

Many rapists appear to be the average,Many rapists appear to be the average,normal “guy next door” type. They can benormal “guy next door” type. They can befrom any economic or racial background. Itfrom any economic or racial background. Itis impossible for a woman to look at a maleis impossible for a woman to look at a maleand determine if he is a violent predator.and determine if he is a violent predator.

Date/Acquaintance RapeDate/Acquaintance RapeAttacks consist of a variety of elements. There isAttacks consist of a variety of elements. There isno such thing as a “typical” rape.no such thing as a “typical” rape.

Sometimes the media and movies stereotypeSometimes the media and movies stereotyperapists as dirty, dark figures lurking in the bushesrapists as dirty, dark figures lurking in the busheswaiting to prey on innocent victims. Althoughwaiting to prey on innocent victims. Althoughstranger rapes and attacks happen, these are by farstranger rapes and attacks happen, these are by farNOT the most common type of rapes that occur.NOT the most common type of rapes that occur.

Date rape or acquaintance rape is the mostDate rape or acquaintance rape is the mostcommon type of attack that occurs. Statistics showcommon type of attack that occurs. Statistics showover 80% of rapes are committed by someone theover 80% of rapes are committed by someone thevictim knows.victim knows.

Preventing Date/Acquaintance RapePreventing Date/Acquaintance Rape

1. Don’t let alcohol or drugs decrease your1. Don’t let alcohol or drugs decrease yourability to take care of yourself.ability to take care of yourself.

2. Trust your feelings. If something doesn’t2. Trust your feelings. If something doesn’tfeel right, get out of there!feel right, get out of there!

3. Drive your own car and meet in a public3. Drive your own car and meet in a publicplace.place.

4. If you do accept a ride from your date,4. If you do accept a ride from your date,always carry extra money for a cab.always carry extra money for a cab.

5. Let someone know where you are going,5. Let someone know where you are going,who you are going with and approximatewho you are going with and approximatetime you will be home.time you will be home.

In general, the younger the person, the moreIn general, the younger the person, the morelikely they are to experience a violent crime.likely they are to experience a violent crime.

A 1999 study by the U.S. Department ofA 1999 study by the U.S. Department ofJustice shows that persons between the agesJustice shows that persons between the agesof 12 and 24 are victims of violence at a rateof 12 and 24 are victims of violence at a ratehigher than any other age group.higher than any other age group.

Stranger AttacksStranger Attacks

Research on how rapists select their victimsResearch on how rapists select their victims

Appearance is not a key factorAppearance is not a key factor

Victims were chosen for body language and otherVictims were chosen for body language and otheroutward signs that the person was an easy target.outward signs that the person was an easy target.

Many attackers are predators who seek outMany attackers are predators who seek out“weaker prey.” The goal is to make yourself a“weaker prey.” The goal is to make yourself adifficult target so the attacker will not chose you.difficult target so the attacker will not chose you.

Things a rapist looks for in a victim:Things a rapist looks for in a victim:

1. Lack of eye contact1. Lack of eye contact

2. Poor posture2. Poor posture

3. Walking slowly and3. Walking slowly andwithout a purposewithout a purpose

4. Head down4. Head down

5. Not paying attention5. Not paying attentionto surroundingsto surroundings

6. Showing signs of6. Showing signs ofsubmissive behaviorsubmissive behavior

How to prevent an attackHow to prevent an attack

1. Create a safety plan1. Create a safety plan

2. Know your environment2. Know your environment

3. Maintain focus on what you are doing3. Maintain focus on what you are doing

4. Be observant4. Be observant

5. Walk with authority5. Walk with authority

6. Maintain eye contact6. Maintain eye contact

7. Be ready to act7. Be ready to act

8. Listen to and act on your intuition8. Listen to and act on your intuition

Other helpful hints for preventionOther helpful hints for prevention

1. Park in well-lit areas1. Park in well-lit areas

2. Walk with a partner or friend2. Walk with a partner or friend

3. Utilize security or escort3. Utilize security or escortpersonnelpersonnel

4. Carry house or car keys in your hand4. Carry house or car keys in your hand

5. Keep one arm free at all times5. Keep one arm free at all times

6. Know where you parked6. Know where you parked

7.7. Don’t wander around looking for yourDon’t wander around looking for yourvehiclevehicle

Other helpful hints for preventionOther helpful hints for prevention

8. Check around and inside your vehicle prior to8. Check around and inside your vehicle prior togetting ingetting in

9. Lock your doors after getting into the vehicle9. Lock your doors after getting into the vehicle

10. Stay Alert, Stay Alert, Stay Alert!10. Stay Alert, Stay Alert, Stay Alert!

11. Most importantly, make good, common sense11. Most importantly, make good, common sensedecisions whenever going outdecisions whenever going out

Types of AttacksTypes of Attacks

The ConThe Con

The BlitzThe Blitz

The SurpriseThe Surprise

The ConThe ConCan include date rapeCan include date rape

Stranger asking for assistance/directionsStranger asking for assistance/directions

Stranger offering assistanceStranger offering assistance

Initially friendly and/or helpfulInitially friendly and/or helpful

Attacks after victim’s defenses are downAttacks after victim’s defenses are down

The BlitzThe Blitz

Use of direct and immediate assaultUse of direct and immediate assault

Allows no opportunity for victim to resist eitherAllows no opportunity for victim to resist eitherphysically or verballyphysically or verbally

May involve gag, blindfold, or other restraintsMay involve gag, blindfold, or other restraints

The SurpriseThe Surprise

Waits in concealmentWaits in concealmentBehind obstaclesBehind obstaclesBack seat of carBack seat of carIn home-until victim is sleepingIn home-until victim is sleeping

Use of threat or weapon to subdue victim.Use of threat or weapon to subdue victim.Victim may have been specifically targetedVictim may have been specifically targeted

Confronting an AttackerConfronting an Attacker

You are walking in aYou are walking in adark alley when you finddark alley when you findyourself in a badyourself in a badsituation. Standing insituation. Standing infront of you is a darkfront of you is a darkmale figure. Withoutmale figure. Withoutwarning he moveswarning he movesquickly towards you.quickly towards you.What do you do??What do you do??

Should women whoShould women whoare attacked fight orare attacked fight orsubmit to theirsubmit to theirattackers?attackers?

Some believe theSome believe therapist might hurt yourapist might hurt youmore or even kill youmore or even kill youif you fight back—soif you fight back—sowhat should you do?what should you do?

Confronting an AttackerConfronting an Attacker

Recent studies show that females whoRecent studies show that females whofight back are less likely to be killed orfight back are less likely to be killed orseriously hurt.seriously hurt.

A majority of attackers are seeking anA majority of attackers are seeking aneasy target. The harder you make it foreasy target. The harder you make it forthem, the better chance you have tothem, the better chance you have tosurvive.survive.

Fighting BackFighting Back

““It’s not what you can do that’s important,It’s not what you can do that’s important,but what you are but what you are willingwilling to do.” to do.”

Blake Johnson, Navy S.E.A.L. , 2000.Blake Johnson, Navy S.E.A.L. , 2000.

If you decide to fight back, what is theIf you decide to fight back, what is thebest technique for you?best technique for you?

Selecting a self defense strategySelecting a self defense strategy

1. What is my goal?1. What is my goal?

2. Can I handle a hands-on practice class, or2. Can I handle a hands-on practice class, oris a lecture better for my needs?is a lecture better for my needs?

3. Am I willing to get3. Am I willing to getphysical?physical?

4. Can I bring myself to strike4. Can I bring myself to strikesomeone?someone?

5. How much time do I want5. How much time do I wantto dedicate to theseto dedicate to thesetechniques?techniques?

Martial Arts and self-defense areMartial Arts and self-defense arenot synonymous.not synonymous.

Traditional martial arts haveTraditional martial arts haveskills that are not designed, norskills that are not designed, norare they realistic for a self-are they realistic for a self-defense situation.defense situation.

The idea that someone can do aThe idea that someone can do ahigh kick to a person’s face onhigh kick to a person’s face onan icy street is not realistic.an icy street is not realistic.Select a program that teachesSelect a program that teachessimple, direct, and gross motorsimple, direct, and gross motorskill moves.skill moves.

Key Points to Fighting BackKey Points to Fighting Back

1. Don’t panic1. Don’t panic

2. Don’t freeze-up, react quickly2. Don’t freeze-up, react quickly

3. Start yelling, make lots of noise3. Start yelling, make lots of noise

4. Strike first and strike4. Strike first and strikehardhard

5. Recognize and utilize5. Recognize and utilizeescape opportunitiesescape opportunities

6. Never give up!6. Never give up!

7. Do whatever it takes!7. Do whatever it takes!

DemonstrationsDemonstrationsStraight PunchStraight Punch

1. Target area (nose, eyes, and throat)1. Target area (nose, eyes, and throat)

2. Achieving full-force of your punch potential2. Achieving full-force of your punch potential

3. Follow-through3. Follow-through

4. Re-punch, or flee4. Re-punch, or flee

5. Scream loud!!!5. Scream loud!!!

Straight Knee KickStraight Knee Kick

1. Target area (groin or stomach)1. Target area (groin or stomach)

2. Achieving full-force of your kick2. Achieving full-force of your kick

3. Follow-through3. Follow-through

4. Re-kick, or flee4. Re-kick, or flee

5. Scream loud!!!5. Scream loud!!!

Rear choke attacksRear choke attacks

1. Don’t Panic!1. Don’t Panic!

2. Protect the airway2. Protect the airway

3. Distraction Techniques3. Distraction Techniques

4. Escape Techniques4. Escape Techniques

5. Scream loud!!!5. Scream loud!!!

Use of WeaponsUse of WeaponsPepper SprayPepper Spray

1. 1. Practice makes perfectPractice makes perfect

2. Carrying options2. Carrying options

3. Limitations3. LimitationsA. Ten seconds to effectA. Ten seconds to effect

B. Environmental conditionsB. Environmental conditions

C. Could be used against youC. Could be used against you

D. Location of attackerD. Location of attacker

E. Limitations on places it can be carriedE. Limitations on places it can be carried

Use of WeaponsUse of WeaponsStun Guns/TasersStun Guns/Tasers

1. 1. Practice makes perfectPractice makes perfect

2. Carrying options2. Carrying options

3. Limitations3. LimitationsA.A. Environmental conditions Environmental conditions

B. B. Could be used against youCould be used against you

C. C. Location of AttackerLocation of Attacker

D. D. Limitations on places it can be carriedLimitations on places it can be carried

E. E. CostCost

Use of WeaponsUse of Weapons

Weapons of ConvenienceWeapons of Convenience1. 1. Common items that can be used asCommon items that can be used asweaponsweapons

2. How to correctly use them2. How to correctly use them

3. Where to Strike3. Where to Strike

Personal Alarms and Whistles.Personal Alarms and Whistles.