“A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy;
a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
Maya Angelou

Sexual assault is no respecter of persons. No matter your age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, history, economic status, or religious background, sexual predators target vulnerable people of all kinds. While numbers have changed in the last two decades, the large majority of victims are still female.

Sexual Crimes Will Likely Come From Someone You Know

San Jose False Allegations Lawyer And Santa Clara Sexual Harassment Attorney

Very few sex crimes occur from one stranger upon another. Victims are often surprised to find out the seemingly nice person was capable of sexual assault. Nearly 85% of sexual assault victims report that they knew the person who raped or assaulted them. For many, the circumstances that started off as somewhat harmless quickly crossed to line and escalated out of control.

Here are a few tips to help potential victims of sexual assault, rape and other sex crimes.

Your Words Are Your First Line Of Defense

Clearly, a person’s lack of permission is not the same as permission, but sexual predators often see passivity as consent. Your temperament may not be such that you are normally blunt and direct with people. Decide from a position of strength (not in the moment) the kinds of things you will say to someone who pressures you with unwanted sexual advances, whether seemingly innocence flirtation or lewd and inappropriate jokes. Be bold. Be assertive. Be firm. Running the risk of being accused of misunderstanding is far better than leaving yourself vulnerable.

Create Clear Boundaries

Stopping unwanted flirtation or advances is step one. Next, protecting yourself from sexual assault may mean making clear boundaries with friends and in social settings. Awkwardness is not the end of the world. Clearly define your boundaries and your limits and stick to them.

When You Have Lost Your Inhibitions

Your inebriation in someone’s presence is clearly not the same as consent for sexual advances. Still, sex crimes often occur when someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Avoid losing your inhibitions when traveling to a city away from home. Stay connected with trusted friends when you go out, and you will substantially mitigate the risk of becoming a sexual assault victim.

When Things Get Physical, Physically Defend

Although your firm words and clearly stated boundaries are a good first line of defense, sometimes they just aren’t enough to prevent imminent sexual advances. Sometimes sex criminals refuse to listen or simply want to test to see if you meant what you said. When that person crosses the line and gets physical, you have every right to defend yourself physically and loudly.

You may forcefully respond by pushing the person away. Scream “no!” or “help!” or “rape!” and let the person know what they’ve just done crossed the line. If the physical contact continues, you may choose to use a self-defense weapon such as pepper spray or a stun gun. Again, you may know this person and may have considered him a friend. Don’t let this stop you from forcefully protecting yourself.

The Counsel Of Wesley Schroeder

Enlist the advocacy and experience of our firm. Call (408) 277-0377 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with our firm and let us get started on your case today. Attorney Wesley Schroeder is ready to work to provide the highest quality representation.