Prevention of Sexual Assault

Sixty-eight percent of all sexual assaults happen in the victim's own home.

In the Home

• Be sure the exterior of your home is well lighted 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-angle peephole for a full view outside the door.
• Keep doors locked at all times.
• 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.
• When moving into a house or apartment, change or re-key all locks.
• If door keys have been lost, change locks or re-key immediately.
• Do not hide door keys outside your home.
• Avoid giving your house keys to anyone other than family members or trusted friends.
• Know the neighbors you can trust in an emergency.
• Use your initials rather than your first name in the phone book and in your mailbox.
• If you hear a prowler inside your house, get out of the house, if possible, through a back door or window. Avoid any confrontation with the prowler.
• When returning home, have your keys ready and enter the house as quickly as possible.
• 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 him. Do not allow any stranger into your home.
• Never let it be known that you are home alone.
• Avoid going out alone at night.
• Do not leave clubs or night spots with strangers or invite them to your apartment or home.

Visitors, Repair Persons and Delivery Persons

• Most service company employees carry identification cards. Examine the identification carefully. If such a person does not have an ID, get their names and phone the company they claim to represent before letting them in.
• 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.

Telephone Calls

• Do not give your name, phone number or address to a telephone caller.Never give a caller any reason to think you are home alone.
• 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 after making a police report.

Public Elevators

• Stand near the control panel.
• Familiarize yourself with the emergency buttons of the elevator.
• Look inside the elevator to be certain no one is hiding inside before getting on.
• Get off if someone suspicious enters.
• If you are worried about someone who is waiting for the elevator with you, pretend you forgot something, and do not get on it.
• Do not enter an elevator if there is a person on it whom you are suspicious of. Wait for the next elevator.
• If you are attacked, push the alarm and as many floor buttons as possible.

Walking

• Try not to overload yourself with packages.
• Vary your daily routine.
• Avoid walking alone at night.
• Walk only on busy, well lighted streets.
• Do not walk too closely to the inside of a sidewalk, near bushes, alley entrances, driveways or entrances to private places.
• Don't walk through dark parking lots, parks or other dark places.
• Carry a whistle.
• 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.
• 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.
• Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.

When Using Private Transportation

• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up at all times.
• Be sure your house, garage and driveway are well lighted.
• Always check the back seat of your car before entering.
• When you go out, be sure to let someone know your destination, route and expected time of return.
• Keep your car properly maintained.
• Use busy, well lighted streets when possible.
• Be sure you have enough gas to get to your location.
• Leave your car in gear when you have to stop at intersections.
• If you wish to help a stranded motorist, do not stop, go to the nearest telephone and call for help.
• If you think you are being followed by another car, do not go home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, open gasoline station, or other well lighted place. Do not get out of your car; rather, use your horn to summon help.
• 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, then 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.
• If someone tries to force their way into your car, blow your horn.
• Always park in a well lighted, busy location.
• If you park during the day and return at night, park near 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 your 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.
• When you reach home, leave your car lights on until you open the garage. Have your house key ready before you get out of the car.