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July 13, 1995
Sheriff tells how to protect yourself against sexual assault
"Anyone can be a victim of rape," Caddo Parish Sheriff Don Hathaway said, "and everyone should think about the kind of defense they would be willing to use against a rapist."
"Rape is a violent crime, a hostile attack, an attempt to hurt and humiliate the victim," the Sheriff emphasized.
Rapists are not always strangers, Sheriff Hathaway pointed out. "In more than one-third of reported cases, the rapist is an acquaintance, neighbor, friend or relative."
To reduce the risk of being the victim of a rapist, the Sheriff suggested some preventive measures. "Exercise caution when walking on the streets," he said. "Stay in well-lighted, well-traveled areas and walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, alleys or bushes where rapists can hide. If you feel you are in danger, don't be reluctant to scream and run."
"Carry a whistle or other type of loud noisemaker," Sheriff Hathaway continued. "Whistles are inexpensive and are widely available. Personal alarms are also widely available and are very convenient to carry -- most will attach to a key chain."
It is natural for people not to want to draw attention to themselves, the Sheriff said, "but if you are being attacked you want all the attention you can get. In many cases, the attacker will run away for fear of being recognized."
There are several ways to react to a sexual assault. "Sometimes," the Sheriff said, "a victim may want to resist but is afraid to scream or fight back. In these cases, a more passive resistance may help to 'defuse' the violence of the attacker. You can try to calm the attacker by talking to him to persuade him not to carry out the attack. If you win his confidence, you may be able to escape."
"Nobody can tell you whether passive resistance or active resistance will be the right thing to do," Sheriff Hathaway continued. "There is only one answer: 'It depends.' It depends on you, the attacker and the situation."
Active resistance -- screaming, struggling, fighting back -- can frighten off or discourage the attacker. But it may also lead the rapist to become more violent, or heighten his determination to subdue the victim.
"Law enforcement officers need your help to get rapists off the streets," Sheriff Hathaway concluded. "If you report he crime, they can get valuable information that may lead to the arrest of a suspected rapist." The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office has several programs that deal with rape prevention and personal safety. For information about these programs, all the Sheriff's Office Public Information Division at 226-6678.