Relationships > Date Rape The Tragedy with a Friendly Face: Take Precautions Against Rape It’s been on the radio, you’ve read articles about it and you’ve heard about it at school –– we’re talking about acquaintance rape, also known as date rape. Next weekend you’re going out on a date with a really nice guy. Should you worry about date rape? Do you need to hide from all guys for fear of being raped, or are there certain precautions you can take? Dating Tips In more than half of the rapes committed, the victim knows the attacker. Being raped by someone you know "is more common than left-handedness, heart attacks or alcoholism" (1). The most consistent factors involved include a teenage girl voluntarily agreeing to go to the house, apartment or car of a young man she has known for less than 24 hours, and impairment of the victim by drugs or alcohol (2). The statistics are scary, but there are certain precautions you can take to reduce the possibility of being a victim of date rape. The following tips are courtesy of Brazos County Rape Crisis Center in Texas. If you're going out on a date, find out as much as you can about the person, especially if it's a blind date. Go out with a group of friends rather than only your date. If you're going out with someone whom you don't know very well, consider double-dating for the first few dates. This gives you the opportunity to get to know the person better in a safer atmosphere. Know the exact plans before the date and tell those plans to a parent or friend. Also make sure you let someone know what time to expect you home. Be aware that alcohol decreases your ability to react. It also alters your judgment. Drugs do the same, especially those with sedative properties. If you're attending a party, think carefully before you leave with a guy you have just met or hardly know. If you do decide to leave with someone, make sure you tell another person that you are leaving and with whom. Do not go alone to the house, apartment, or car of a man you don't know well. Avoid out-of-the-way or secluded areas. Listen to your instincts! If you're uncomfortable or something doesn't feel right, try to be calm and think of ways to remove yourself from the situation. When necessary, don''t hesitate to be assertive. Be firm and straightforward in your relationships with men. When you say "NO," say it loudly and clearly and make sure he understands your resistance. Date Rape Danger Signals In addition to precautionary actions, there are also signals to alert you to potential danger. If the guy you're dating exhibits many of the characteristics below, there is the possibility that he would be the type of person who would force himself on you against your will: Is extremely possessive or jealous. These personality characteristics could also mean he has a bad temper. Blames others for things that go wrong or for his feelings. Makes all the decisions. Plans everything without asking your opinion or doesn't listen if you express a desire to do something different. Uses guilt against you to get his way. Has sudden unexplained mood changes. Is verbally abusive to you or his close friends or family members. Has made threats of violence. Is cruel to animals or children. Has unrealistic expectations for himself or others. Uses tactics to keep you isolated from your friends and possibly your family. Even with taking the necessary precautions and watching for the danger signals, there is still the possibility that a rape can occur. This doesn't mean you did anything wrong and you should definitely tell someone what happened. While being raped is a horrible experience, with time and support it is possible to cope, survive and move forward with your life. Source: Teengrowth.com < Back to Relationships Main Page References: (1) Warshaw, R. (1988). I never called it rape. St. Louis, MO: Harper & Row. pg 11.(2) Jenny C. Adolescent risk-taking behavior and the occurrence of sexual assault. ADJC. 1988:142: 770-772.