Defenses
Against Rapes - Background Information "How to deal with Muggings
and Sexual Assaults"
"Consistent study results show that forceful and immediate resistance
strategies are successful and do not
necessarily lead to greater injuries".
Dr. Judith Lewis Herman Trauma and Recovery
" The women who remained calm, used many active strategies, and
fought to the best of their ability were not only more likely to be successful
in thwarting the rape attempt, but also less likely to suffer severe distress
symptoms even if their efforts ultimately failed. “
"By contrast the women who were immobilized by terror and submitted
without a struggle were more likely to be raped, but also to be highly
self-critical and depressed in the aftermath."
"Women's general high sociability, however, was often a liability
rather than an asset during a rape attempt.Many women tried to appeal to the humanity of the rapist, or to establish
some form of empathic connection with him.These
efforts were almost universally futile."
"Injuries that women
sustained were the results of the rapists initial blows and strikes, but not a
result of their resistance strategies"Sara Ohlman, University of Chicago.
If you choose not to defend
yourself, let it be because you have assessed the situation and decided that it
is far too dangerous to defend yourself, not because you do not know how to or
you think that you shouldn't.
