1. The power-assertive rapist:

Power-assertive rapist: Athletic, has a “macho” image of himself. More often than not, this is the type who commits date rapes. He typically meets his victim in a bar or nightclub. Instead of targeting a specific victim, he looks for an opportunity to get a woman alone with him, perhaps with an offer of a ride home or an invitation back to his place. Or he may con his victim into trusting him or letting him into her home, perhaps by posing as a policeman or repairman. Approximately 44 percent of rapes are committed by power-assertive rapists. He is physically aggressive, and will use the amount of force needed to control you — degrading or obscene language, [brandishing] a weapon, slapping or punching — but he does not intend to kill you.

Generally, begging and crying doesn’t work with this guy. If you’re going to resist, you’ve got to be serious. You’ve got to scream and fight him as hard as you can to get away.

2. The anger-retaliation rapist:

Anger-retaliatory rapist: He feels animosity towards women and wants to punish and degrade them. Often he is a substance abuser. He is impulsive and has an explosive temper. He looks for an opportunity to commit the rape rather than for a specific victim. He attacks spontaneously and brutalizes the woman into submission. Thirty percent of rapists fall into the anger-retaliation category. He will grab you from behind and drag you into the bushes. He will often beat you to near-unconsciousness before committing the rape. Any level of resistance may well enrage him and cause him to beat the hell out of you until he gets what he wants. He’s not looking to kill you, but the beating could be fatal. You do not want to challenge or enrage this type of rapist. You could try to escape. If you cannot get away or incapacitate the assailant, it’s best to submit and try to limit the level of violence of the assault to the extent that you can.

3. The power-reassurance rapist:

Power-reassurance rapist: He lacks the self-confidence and interpersonal skills to develop relationships with women. He is passive and nonathletic. He lives or works near his victim, and “preselects” her by peeping or stalking. He typically breaks into her home in the early hours of the morning and awakens her. He uses minimal force and will threaten her with a weapon, but usually does not have one. He fantasizes that he is his victim’s lover so he may ask her to disrobe or to wear a negligee and he will kiss her and engage in foreplay. The power-reassurance type accounts for 21 percent of rapists. He is the least violent type of rapist, and does not intend to hurt or kill you, Among the different types of rapists, he is most likely to be dissuaded if you scream, cry, plead or fight.” In general it is more probable that you can discourage a rapist who uses this [power reassurance] approach. But you could instead be dealing with a power assertive rapist who is starting off with a softer approach. Try nonviolent tactics, crying, pleading, praying aloud while you’re sizing up the assailant. If it works you may be able to escape the situation. But if he responds by becoming verbally abusive or degrading, he is likely a power assertive rapist and you will have to evaluate whether you are capable of fighting him off.

“Women need to rely on their instincts. When confronted with a rapist they will try various techniques. In this situation, take full advantage of your instincts in trying to figure out which type of rapist you are dealing with.”

4. The anger-excitation rapist:

Anger-excitation rapist: A sadist, who derives sexual gratification from inflicting pain. He is typically charming and intelligent. The crime is premeditated and rehearsed methodically in his mind before it is attempted. His victims may or may not be strangers. He will tie, gag and blindfold them and torture them over a period of days, even recording his crimes in a diary, taking photographs or videotaping them. Just five percent of rapists fit this description.

Of the four types he is the most criminally sophisticated and it’s difficult to catch him. He’s got absolute control over you so there’s no question of any type of resistance or of escaping. Oftentimes he kills his victims, either to get rid of a witness or to gratify a psychosexual need.” This is probably the most dangerous situation a woman can be in. If you’re tied up, you’re going to have to match wits with this guy and trick him or talk him into untying you so you have at least some chance of escape.

Most rapists are not murderers. It is less likely that a woman – even one who has taken a women’s self-defense course — can overcome the intensity of the violence that an anger rapist will inflict. But power rapists commit nearly two-thirds of all rapes, and you have a fighting chance to fend them off. If you assess the situation and feel confident of your ability to fight or talk your way out of [being raped], go ahead and do it.

In conclusion:

Given that the goal of all women who are in imminent danger of being raped is to avoid it, they should rely on their instincts rather than assume that they have to submit. But whatever her instincts tell her to do, If a woman survives, she made the right choice.

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals often target people who are distracted.
• Whether driving, walking or taking public transportation, plan the trip in advance. Know how to get to your destination by the most direct and safest route.
• If possible, stay in designated waiting areas or in view of the station booth clerk while awaiting your train. Never walk or stand near the edge of the subway platform.
• Travel on populated, well lit streets. If possible, travel with a friend.
• When driving, keep your doors locked and the windows closed. Make sure the gas tank is full. Maintain your car in good working order to avoid breakdowns.
• Always lock your car. Before getting into your car, check the back seat to make sure no one is hiding there.
• Avoid leaving valuables in your car. Whenever possible, place items out of sight in the trunk of your vehicle prior to reaching your destination. Never leave packages in the passenger compartment unattended.
• Plan your purchases in advance and carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make the purchase. If you must carry a large sum of money, divide the cash between your purse, pockets and wallet.
• Cancel credit cards you don’t use and keep a record of the account numbers for each credit card you possess. This will facilitate reporting the theft or loss of the cards.
• Carry your purse close to your body. Place one end of the purse in the palm of your hand and the other in the bend of the elbow. Never wrap the strap around your body.
• If you are carrying a wallet, carry it in the breast pocket of your jacket or in your side pants pocket. The rear pants pocket is the easiest to pick.
• When in a restaurant, don’t leave your handbag over the back of your chair or on the floor. Don’t leave belongings unattended.
• Don’t wait until you have reached your front door to look for your keys. Have them ready in your hand. If a stranger is standing near your door, it may be a good idea not to go in until the situation feels safer.
• Lock your front door immediately upon entering your home.
• If you live in an apartment building, don’t buzz in someone who rings your bell until you have verified who they are. This will help protect both you and your neighbors.
• If you have elderly family members or neighbors, please remember to check in on them.
• Remind children to be wary of strangers, including those on the internet.
• Be wary of con artists. Con artists use a number of ploys to trick you and steal your property. Some divert your attention while another picks your pocket, some pose as utility workers or as a trades person to gain access to the inside of your home, while others conduct scams that are more elaborate involving several con artists.
• Be wary of telephone and email solicitations asking for personal information about your accounts, passwords or social security number.
• As a consumer you should avoid illegal vendors selling goods on the street. Purchase merchandise only from licensed vendors or reputable stores. Follow your instincts. Remember, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.

• Do not take shortcuts or dirt paths through wooded areas. Stay on well-lighted, populated pathways.
• Remember there is safety in numbers. Always walk or run with a friend. Look into joining a local community running club.
• Remain alert and aware at all times. Don’t wear headphones.
• Carry your wallet in the side pants pockets or inside jacket pocket. Never carry a wallet in the rear pants pocket.
• Carry pocketbooks in the bend of the elbow, close to the body. If there is a long strap, wrap it around the bag. If someone should attempt to snatch your purse….. let it go.
• Don’t wear excessive amounts of jewelry or carry large amounts of cash. Divide your money between pockets and handbags.
• Familiarize yourself with your local park. Know the locations of public phones.
• Should someone attempt to verbally harass you, just keeping on walking. Responding to this kind of behavior could escalate the situation.
• Know the locations of stores or businesses which may be open in the vicinity of the park. These locations may be a safe place to go should you feel threatened.
• Always carry some form of identification, even when running. A label in your clothing will be sufficient if you are not carrying a wallet or handbag. Name and address labels should always be sewn inside the clothing of your children.
• Closely supervise your children as they play in the park. Instruct them on how to respond to strangers.
• Report suspicious persons or activities to the police.
• Should you become the victim of a crime in a park or anywhere , remember the following:
  • Remain as calm as possible. Don’t make any quick or sudden movements. Many times the criminal is as nervous as yourself.
  • Don’t be a hero. No amount of money or property is worth your life.
  • Be observant. Try to remember as much as possible about the criminal: sex, age, race, clothing, height, weight, etc..
  • Call the police  immediately after the incident.

• Install safety equipment that is available on the market. Bullet resistant partitions, distress signal lights, cellular phones as well as other equipment can greatly reduce your vulnerability to crime.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Always display confidence and control when transporting a fare.
• Don’t carry cash in your shirt pockets. Its too easy for a thief to reach.
• Keep your trip sheet up to date and out of sight.
• Never follow a fare beat into a building.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of police stations, fire houses, gas stations, and other 24 hour establishments.
• If you are confronted by a criminal, DON’T RESIST!! Notify the police of any criminal act as soon as possibl

• Park in a well-lighted area
• Close all windows, lock all doors
• Activate any theft deterrent device you may have
• Put packages or valuable out of sight: CB radios, tape and cassette decks and other expensive items in full view invite theft.
• If you park in a commercial lot or garage, leave only the ignition key with the attendant.
• Do not keep license, registration or title in car. If left in car, thieves can use these documents to sell your car if stolen, or to impersonate you when they are challenged by police. Owners who indiscriminately leave keys, registrations and other identifiable material in their vehicles may return to their residence only to find that they are the victims of a burglary.
• If you have a garage, use it. Lock both the vehicle and the garage.

Personal Identification Pays

Identification of stolen vehicles after they have been recovered continues to plague car owners, police and auto insurers.

Today, in spite of wide-spread use of identification numbers on automobiles and component parts, ownership is often difficult to prove because experienced thieves increasingly are removing manufacturers’ identification numbers completely. NATB recommends, therefore, that each motorist inscribe the car with the Vehicle Identification Number.

Etch the Vehicle Identification Number in several hard-to-find spots, using an engraving tool, on each component part. Write your name in crayon under the hood or trunk.

If your car is stolen, the police will need specific information to identify the car, parts and accessories. Take the time to record detailed information. If a car thief replaces your license plates, alters the vehicle identification number or repaints the car, other points of identificatin will be available.

If your car becomes a victim of a “chop shop” (a place where component parts are stripped off a stolen vehicle) at least the police have a better chance of recovering all or part of your car and arresting the thief.

• Do not accept drinks from anyone if you did not see them prepared.
• Do not leave your drink unattended for any period of time.
• Always inform a family member of friend of your whereabouts.
• When entering a bar of club, always know where emergency exits are located in case of a fire or other emergencies.
• Be familiar with your surroundings (street names, landmarks, etc.) this specific information will be needed to locate you.
• Do not drink and drive or accept a ride from anyone who has been drinking.
  Designate a driver who will not drink.
• Do not leave your bag unattended.
• Arrange a buddy system with a friend and always watch after each other.
• Never leave a bar or club with a stranger.
• Carry a cell phone when possible and call the police if you are being harassed.
• Always carry enough money for a taxi.