Chapter 5
Risk Reduction Strategies
We have covered a lot of information about dating and sexual violence. Knowing the potential risk factors associated with these issues can help decrease your vulnerability. Here are some tips you may find helpful.
Be assertive and speak directly. If you're ever in a situation where you feel unsafe or threatened, don't worry about being polite. Also, think about your sexual limits before you go out . Be able to clearly communicate your limits directly to your partner.
If a situation doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Confront the person immediately and leave. If you feel like someone isn't respecting your boundaries or even if you are uncomfortable about someone, trust your feelings and leave.
Sometimes another person's behavior can signal a problem. For example, you should be concerned about someone who seems controlling, is overly sexual, doesn't listen to you, stands too close, seems to enjoy your discomfort, or doesn't respect your limits.
Make sure you tell a friend or roommate where you're going and when you plan to be home. Practice other safety tips like locking doors, not leaving valuables out and being aware of emergency call boxes.