For ladies who want to avoid rape: follow these simple steps

Rape is becoming a very serious problem in Nigeria in recent times with soo many calls by Nigerians to end the ugly incident. While these calls are ongoing here are simple steps you can take to reduce the chances of being raped.

 

1. Be Situationally aware: Situational awareness is one way by which a person can reduce the chances of being raped. Situational awareness entails being aware of your environment at all times. For example when walking on a street you should always scan your environment and people around the environment. Pay attention to their dressing and demeanor especially when you are in an unfamiliar area. Always look behind your shoulder to see if you're being followed or watched because most times, most rapists often trail their victims for days and weeks before striking. Avoid using your smartphones or anything that'll bar you from concentrating on your environment especially when you're walking on the road.

2. Avoid Normalcy Bias: Normalcy Bias refers to a psychological complex in humans that makes us fear a change in situations which we see or feel as normal or have become comfortable with. Normalcy bias is the reason why people are often raped by close relatives, fathers, pastors, boyfriends, best friends and other persons they hold in trust because they never expected such persons to rape them. By avoiding normalcy bias you become even more aware of the fact that a family friend or member or even associate can also rape you and you can take steps to detect and also avoid such situations.

3. Take Note of Pre Indicators: Pre indicators are usually acts that occur sequel to the act of rape. There are soo many pre- indicators but I'll focus on three which are : Staring, pacing and Distractions.

Staring is one of the Pre indicators to rape. If you find someone staring at you for an unnaturally long period of time then you have to be careful as you may be a target especially if the stare has a sensual tone to it. Most persons who have been raped by close relatives often experience this staring phase but do not realize the danger until it's too late. This also applies to rape that happens most times in secluded public places. When you find yourself in such situation, move away from such environment as quick as possible.

Pacing: pacing is another pre-indicator of rape and is common in secluded public spaces. A person is said to be pacing you if the person is walking at the same stride with you or is moving at the same pace with you especially in a secluded area. In such situation the person may have been stalking you but you are probably unaware because you were not situationally aware or observant. When you find someone pacing you, quickly walk into a crowded public place and get the attention of security personnel on ground. At this point don't go home unless you are sure the person has stopped pacing you.

Distraction: Distraction is another tactic employed by rapists especially when trying to catch the victim off guard. In this case the assailant may walk up to you and ask you about directions or most times they may say they are looking for a person. While this is going on you may find that, the other assailants have surrounded you. To avoid this, when in secluded or unfamiliar places avoid stopping to answer total strangers.

4. Always have a Baseline: When I say baseline I don't mean music, I mean what you consider normal under certain circumstances. When you have a baseline, you can easily spot out when a situation or circumstance is abnormal. Your baseline should apply to people and places. When interacting with different people, you have to assign baselines to each individual. That is to say you know when a person is acting within his normal behavior and when he is acting outside his usual behavior. The failure to establish and also monitor baselines from individuals is one of the leading causes of rape especially when the rape is done by a family relative or a close friend. In such situations because the victim has been too comfortable around their assailant because of normalcy bias, they fail to see subtle signs.

Places also have their baselines. You should take note of what is normal especially on routes you take frequently to work or school. This will enable you spot any slight change that is not normal.

5. Have a consistent home routine: This aspect is particularly for women who live alone as they are prone to rape attacks. You should have home routine that will double as your baseline. By doing this you'll be able to know when someone has entered into your home while your away. Your home routine should reflect the particular needs of your home and should include:

Locking the doors and windows

Turning off the lights and other appliances

Curtains closed especially when you're not around and so on.

By doing this you save save yourself any form of surprise from your assailants because you can spot when something is off.

Avoid secluded or quiet places:

Lastly I would like to stress this fact because the recent cases have always occurred in places that fit into this description. If you must go to such areas, always go with a large group or company.

These are some of the few steps women can take to avoid rape and stay safe. Thanks

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