Clery Act
Risk Reduction
With no intent to blame any victim and recognizing that only rapists are responsible for rape, the following are some strategies to reduce one鈥檚 risk of sexual assault or harassment (taken from )
- Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation.
- Try to avoid isolated areas. It is more difficult to get help if no one is around. Walk with purpose. Even if you don鈥檛 know where you are going, act like you do. Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probablyisn鈥檛 the best place to be.
- Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
- Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged and that you have cab money.
- Don鈥檛 allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don鈥檛 trust or someone you don鈥檛 know.
- Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking alone.
- When you go to a social gathering, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening, and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you see something suspicious, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 9-1-1 in most areas of the U.S.)
- Don鈥檛 leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom, or making a phone call. If you鈥檝e walked away from your drink, just get a new one.
- Don鈥檛 accept drinks from people you don鈥檛 know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured, and carry it yourself. At parties, don鈥檛 drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers. Watch out for your friends, and vice versa. If a friend seems out of it, is way too intoxicated considering the amount of alcohol they鈥檝e had, or is acting out of character, get him or her to a safe place immediately.
- If you suspect you or a friend has been drugged, contact law enforcement immediately (local authorities can be reached by calling 911 in most areas of the U.S.). Be explicit with doctors so they can give you the correct tests (you will need a urine test and possibly others).
- If you need to get out of an uncomfortable or scary situation here are some things
that you can try:
- Remember that being in this situation is not your fault. You did not do anything wrong; it is the person who is making you uncomfortable that is to blame.
- Be true to yourself. Don鈥檛 feel obligated to do anything you don鈥檛 want to do. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to鈥� is always a good enough reason. Do what feels right to you and what makes you comfortable.
- Have a code word with your friends or family so that if you don鈥檛 feel comfortable you can call them and communicate your discomfort without the person you are with knowing. Your friends or family can then come to get you or make up an excuse for you to leave.
- Lie. If you don鈥檛 want to hurt the person鈥檚 feelings it is better to lie and make up a reason to leave than to stay and be uncomfortable, scared, or worse. Some excuses you could use are needing to take care of a friend or family member, not feeling well, having somewhere else that you need to be, etc.
- Try to think of an escape route. How would you try to get out of the room? Where are the doors? Windows? Are there people around who might be able to help you? Is there an emergency phone nearby?
- If you and/or the other person have been drinking, you can say that you would rather wait until you both have your full judgment before doing anything you may regret later.
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National Sexual Assault Hotline | 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | Free. Confidential. 24/7.