NCJ Number
64877
Date Published
1980
Length
119 pages
Annotation
THIS HANDBOOK INFORMS WOMEN ABOUT RAPE, RAPE PREVENTION, AND SELF-DEFENSE. DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURE OF RAPE ATTACKS AND THE AVERAGE PERSON'S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
WOMEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RESIST RAPE BECAUSE THEY ARE RAISED TO BE PASSIVE AND TO AVOID FIGHTING AND HURTING OTHERS. CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION, RAPE IS NOT A CRIME OF PASSION BUT A MEANS OF ACTING OUT ANGER AND AGGRESSION. RAPISTS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES: THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR VICTIMS AND THOSE WHO DO NOT. HOWEVER, ALL RAPISTS ATTACK UNEXPECTEDLY, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A BREAKDOWN IN THEIR VICTIMS' PROTECTING SOCIAL STRUCTURES (SUCH AS ABSENCE OF FAMILY) AND SEEK TO EMOTIONALLY ISOLATE THEMSELVES FROM THE VICTIM AND THE VICTIM FROM ASSISTANCE BEFORE THE ATTACK. WOMEN ARE OFTEN ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY ARE UNAWARE OF DANGER OR IGNORANT OF SELF-DEFENSE TECHNIQUES. THE PHYSICAL VULNERABILITY OF THE ASSAILANT IS DESCRIBED. WOMEN ARE INSTRUCTED IN HOW TO USE THE VOICE, FEET, HANDS, AND IMPROMPTU WEAPONS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST ASSAILANTS WHO ARE EITHER ARMED OR UNARMED. INSTRUCTIONS IN SELF-DEFENSE COVER PREPARATION FOR DEFENSE; DISENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES WHEN THE HAIR, ARMS, OR BODY ARE GRABBED; AND METHODS OF HANDLING ASSAULTS BY GROUPS. FURTHER ADVICE COVERS HOW TO SECURE HOUSES AND APARTMENTS; HOW TO MINIMIZE RISKS WHILE WALKING, DRIVING, HITCHHIKING, OR VISITING PUBLIC PLACES; AND WHAT TO DO IF RAPE HAS OCCURRED. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)