Handling a Sexual Assaulter

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) explains that there are no hard and fast, right or wrong answers to handle an attacker. It depends on your emotional state and physical state, the situation, and the attacker’s personality. Surviving is the goal, but NCPC recommends the following:

• Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following.

• Talk, stall for time, and assess your options.

• If the attacker has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive.

• If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined, and effective. Target the eyes or groin.