1. Avoid walking alone at night. Use the escort service provided by D.P.S. and the Student Patrol. Use any "Blue Light" Emergency Phone or call 569-3400.

2. Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace.

3. Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.

4. If a driver stops to ask directions, avoid getting near the vehicle.

5. If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction.

6. Carry a whistle or body alarm and use it if you feel you are in danger.

7. If you are in trouble, attract help anyway you can. Yell for help, shout "fire", honk your horn, or even break a window.

8. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you, even those you think you know.

9. Don't flaunt expensive jewelry or clothing.

10. Don't overburden yourself with packages, book bags, or groceries that make it hard to react.

1. Have your key ready when you approach your vehicle.

2. Check inside your vehicle before entering.

3. Always keep your vehicle locked, even while driving.

4. Park in well-lighted areas if possible.

5. Avoid isolated roads and shortcuts.

6. Keep your vehicle in good repair, make sure you have enough fuel.

7. If you are followed, drive to the nearest open business for help or go to a police or fire station.

8. When dropping someone off, wait until passengers have safely entered their residence or destination.

1. Choose routes in advance that are safe and well populated.

2. Vary your route and schedule.

3. Avoid jogging and biking at night.

4. Consider carrying a body alarm or pepper spray.

5. Consider not wearing stereo headphones, so as not to hinder your ability to hear your attacker.

Know your defenses: Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault. You should think about the types of defense you would be willing to use. In some cases, resistance can frighten the attacker, but it can also lead an attacker to become more violent or increase efforts to subdue the victim. There are several ways to react:

PASSIVE RESISTANCE

The goal of passive resistance is to think and talk your way out of the situation. With passive resistance, you can:

1. Try to calm the attacker. Try to persuade him not to carry out the attack.

2. Claim to be sick or pregnant. Tell him you have a sexually transmitted disease. This may intimidate the attacker.

3. Try to discourage him. Pretend to faint, cry hysterically, act insane or mentally incapacitated.

4. If you are at your residence, tell the attacker a friend is coming over or that your spouse or roommate will be back soon.

ACTIVE RESISTANCE

Active resistance is intended to distract or temporarily injure your attacker, to buy time to escape. Remember, your goal is to escape not to win.

1. Yelling: A yell can surprise or frighten an attacker away if he fears people will come to help, but yelling won't help in isolated or noisy areas.

2. Struggling and fighting back: A forceful struggle may also discourage the attacker, but most will retaliate and have the potential to inflict serious injuries. However, you must not be afraid to hurt an attacker. All kicks and blows must be forceful and should be aimed at vulnerable areas such as the groin, eyes, or instep.

3. Martial Arts: Special self-defense skills such as judo or karate are popular. If you are proficient in such techniques, they can be very effective, but proficiency requires practice.

4. Weapons: Some people carry weapons such as guns, knives, or spray chemicals to ward off attackers. Unless you are trained and not afraid to use these weapons, they can be extremely dangerous. The attacker might be able to turn them against you. Also, some weapons cannot be legally carried, so check local law enforcement authorities (guns are not allowed on state property even with a permit).

SUBMITTING TO AN ATTACK

If you believe you might get hurt defending yourself or if you're afraid to fight back, don't. Sexual assault is still an assault and still a crime, even if you don't have a single cut or bruise. Victims who do not resist should never feel guilty; it is the assailant who committed the crime.

1. If attacked, escape.

2. If trapped, stay alive.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ATTACKED

1. Contact the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you are on campus, call 569-3400.

2. Don't blame yourself.

3. If assaulted, memorize details.

4. Report the assault to the authorities, ASAP.

5. Seek medical treatment. Do not bathe, shower, douche, or change clothes before you go to the hospital (doing so could destroy valuable evidence).

Crime prevention tips from: UALR Department of Public Safety, Office of Crime Prevention
Det. Sharon Bowles, 569-8797.

References: Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), Arkansas Crime Check, Little Rock Police Department Office of Crime Prevention, and McGruff's Guide to Personal Safety and Crime Prevention.

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