How To Avoid Becoming A Date Rape Victim

Dating should be enjoyable and fun. It should be a nice way to get to know each other and explore new romantic opportunities. Unfortunately, other people have a different agenda. Women mostly trust the person they are going out with. With this, some guys take advantage and assert their control and dominance through rape.

Here are important things to remember when you are going out on a date with guys you barely know:

* Avoid drinking a lot. Try to control your alcohol intake during the date. Be sure that you still have complete control of your senses and your body perception. When you're drunk, guys can easily take advantage since you will be weak and helpless. Also, keep an eye on your drink and don't lose sight of it. This is one way to avoid being drugged by your date.

* Limit your flirting. Flirting may be the most enjoyable part of the evening, but avoid overdoing it. Getting too close or intimate to your date is not a good idea even if you know them pretty well. Most date rape cases happen to women who know and trust their rapist. Always know when to draw the line when it comes to flirting. Too much is almost always not good.

* Go out on a group date. If there are other people around, there will be less chances of your date taking advantage of you. Avoid being left alone with your date, with no one within hearing distance.

* Have a prearranged ride home. When you are alone in the car with a stranger, you are very vulnerable. Try to have someone else with you -- most preferably a female friend -- during the ride home.

* Don't go out unprepared. Always have a mace, a pepper spray, or even just your cologne spray in your bag, which you can easily grab in an emergency situation. We all know that men are physically stronger than women, so be prepared with objects that can protect you and allow you to get an equal footing with your date.

Be knowledgeable about your rights. Some women think that people will not believe they have been raped because they have been going out with their attacker for some time or they know them pretty well. Any forced penetration against your wishes is considered rape. Most importantly, don't brush it off. Know and accept that this can happen to you or to anyone, so always be prepared. Be on guard and be aware of what's happening during the date. Your wits and senses are your most valuable weapons during emergencies. - 39468