How To Avoid Date Rape

According to a report, one in four women will be raped in their lifetime—one every 6 minutes. Of those women, 80 percent will know their assailant. Even with these numbers, it's believed that most date rapes go unreported. Date rape, epidemic among 15 to 25 year-olds, is most prevalent on university campuses—frat houses being the number one location, while house parties rank number 2. Nearly all date rapes involve alcohol, drugs or both. With a little knowledge and a few simple precautions, date rapes can be avoided.

Plan for safety before you go out. Know your date's name, address and phone number (if you only get a phone number you can Google it and get his complete name and address)

Always bring cash and a cell phone with speed dial set to 911 should any emergency arise. Be aware that most date rapes occur between people that know each other, sometimes quite well, so keep your guard up.

Know yourself. Set your sexual limits before you go out. Make your limits known, clearly and with assertiveness, as early on as possible. It's better to be upfront when everyone's heads are cool than to fight someone off when they (or both of you) are aroused, under the influence or both.

Take your car and meet in a public place if you don't know your date well. It’s best to be in a place where you know people. Let one or two safe people call you after 1 1/2 or 2 hours (when alcohol, if used, starts to strongly to take affect.)

If you are going to drink (even soft drinks), get your drinks in a closed container. If you're in a bar, order your own drinks and watch them being made. Do not drink out of punchbowls or pre-poured glasses. Keep your drink in your hand. Don't leave it or turn your back on it. Bring it with you if you get up. It takes 1 second to put something in your drink, and date rape drugs are colorless, odorless and tasteless.

Avoid drinking too much and don't get in a car with anyone else who's been drinking. If your date insists, call a friend or a taxi and get out of there. Avoid isolated places. This includes an upstairs room at a party, a dorm room, a car in a lonely place, or a private room at a frat house. Keep in mind that very, very few rapes take place in anyone else's sight.

Trust your gut feelings. If you feel unsafe with this person, go to a bathroom and call someone (even a cab) to come and get you. If there's anyone you know around, ask them to escort you to your car or to wait until someone comes for you. Don't be alone with someone you can't trust.

Date rapists can be anyone, anywhere—often they're someone you know. Stay safe by preparing ahead, staying in control, and acting when something doesn't seem right. A few simple precautions may keep you from being the next date rape statistic.