What to do when you are faced with a rapist
May 30, 2008
WHO could possibly want to forcefully have his way with a woman? Unfortunately, rapists don’t move around with placards on their foreheads warning of the harm they can cause. Sometimes they are the men a woman thinks she can trust like business associates, colleagues at the work place, relatives a
By Susan Muyiyi
WHO could possibly want to forcefully have his way with a woman? Unfortunately, rapists don’t move around with placards on their foreheads warning of the harm they can cause. Sometimes they are the men a woman thinks she can trust like business associates, colleagues at the work place, relatives and even friends.
Recent media reports indicate an increase in the vice. Whereas you can’t live your life waiting for a rapist to pounce, taking precautionary measures should be one attempt that comes in handy.
Learning how to defend yourself is crucial. Josephat Asiimwe, a fitness instructor at Hotel Equatorial gym, gives the following tips on how to fight back when a rapist strikes.
- Aim at his groin with every ounce of strength in your being. If possible, bend your attackers’ fingers from behind with as much pressure as possible.
- Don’t ignore your instincts. If you feel that the stranger walking behind you is a potential rapist, run like your life depends on it. It is better to be mistaken that to be sorry.
- The greatest weapon at your disposal is your voice: scream as loud as you possibly can; who knows a passerby could save you.
- Even though, a mental preparation on how to wade off a rapist never features on a woman’s to -do -list for the day, prepare yourself for any possibility. The initial reaction will of course be shock. Try to remain composed and outsmart your attacker. A distraction for instance could give you the leeway to run.
- Judith Nabakoba, the police spokesperson, says that a woman should always think of an escape route before the rapist pounces or after she initially blinds him with a spray.
- Consider anything like a broken bottle, umbrella and shoes at your disposal a vital weapon to help you strike at sensitive parts of his body like the eyes, throat and chest.
- Threaten the rapist.
- If he has over-powered you, pretend like you are giving in, then, make your move when he least expects you to. The shock at your reaction could help you get away before he strikes again.
- According to Asiimwe, exercises like press ups, skipping, weight lifting, jogging and brisk walks can help keep your body physically fit, the perks of which could be successfully fighting off a rapist.
“Any physical fitness exercise prepares your body to effectively handle an adrenaline rush. Swimming, for instance, helps you breathe better, this way you will be in position to breathe harder without difficulty as you fight off the attacker. Weight lifting (as low as 1kg weights) makes your hands flexible,†Asiimwe explains.
* Martial arts like karate, tae kwondo, kick boxing, kungu fu and jubo can come in handy. Asiimwe says that in 20 days you can achieve the desired results if you train daily for a few hours. A personal fitness trainer is one option to consider.
Paying a membership flat rate allows you to access the different physical fitness exercises in a number of gyms. Skipping at home is ideal provided you do it consistently.
- Carry a pocket knife in your purse; you never know when you may have to use it.
- Whereas most rapists are violent in their attacks some cases of rape especially those that happen on dates are carried out subtly. A man could put a sleeping pill in your drink and have his way with you.
- Avoid such incidents by keeping your guard up- don’t get drunk, watch your drink or ask a friend to watch your drink as you go to use the lady’s.
- Avoid moving alone at night.
- Avoid lonely areas, especially at night. Granted rapists strike at any time of the day but the cover of darkness offers opportune moments to strike.
- Make use of alcohol based perfumes, insecticide, air fresheners, to spray the rapist’s eyes giving you enough time to run.
WHO could possibly want to forcefully have his way with a woman? Unfortunately, rapists don’t move around with placards on their foreheads warning of the harm they can cause. Sometimes they are the men a woman thinks she can trust like business associates, colleagues at the work place, relatives and even friends.
Recent media reports indicate an increase in the vice. Whereas you can’t live your life waiting for a rapist to pounce, taking precautionary measures should be one attempt that comes in handy.
Learning how to defend yourself is crucial. Josephat Asiimwe, a fitness instructor at Hotel Equatorial gym, gives the following tips on how to fight back when a rapist strikes.
- Aim at his groin with every ounce of strength in your being. If possible, bend your attackers’ fingers from behind with as much pressure as possible.
- Don’t ignore your instincts. If you feel that the stranger walking behind you is a potential rapist, run like your life depends on it. It is better to be mistaken that to be sorry.
- The greatest weapon at your disposal is your voice: scream as loud as you possibly can; who knows a passerby could save you.
- Even though, a mental preparation on how to wade off a rapist never features on a woman’s to -do -list for the day, prepare yourself for any possibility. The initial reaction will of course be shock. Try to remain composed and outsmart your attacker. A distraction for instance could give you the leeway to run.
- Judith Nabakoba, the police spokesperson, says that a woman should always think of an escape route before the rapist pounces or after she initially blinds him with a spray.
- Consider anything like a broken bottle, umbrella and shoes at your disposal a vital weapon to help you strike at sensitive parts of his body like the eyes, throat and chest.
- Threaten the rapist.
- If he has over-powered you, pretend like you are giving in, then, make your move when he least expects you to. The shock at your reaction could help you get away before he strikes again.
- According to Asiimwe, exercises like press ups, skipping, weight lifting, jogging and brisk walks can help keep your body physically fit, the perks of which could be successfully fighting off a rapist.
“Any physical fitness exercise prepares your body to effectively handle an adrenaline rush. Swimming, for instance, helps you breathe better, this way you will be in position to breathe harder without difficulty as you fight off the attacker. Weight lifting (as low as 1kg weights) makes your hands flexible,†Asiimwe explains.
* Martial arts like karate, tae kwondo, kick boxing, kungu fu and jubo can come in handy. Asiimwe says that in 20 days you can achieve the desired results if you train daily for a few hours. A personal fitness trainer is one option to consider.
Paying a membership flat rate allows you to access the different physical fitness exercises in a number of gyms. Skipping at home is ideal provided you do it consistently.
- Carry a pocket knife in your purse; you never know when you may have to use it.
- Whereas most rapists are violent in their attacks some cases of rape especially those that happen on dates are carried out subtly. A man could put a sleeping pill in your drink and have his way with you.
- Avoid such incidents by keeping your guard up- don’t get drunk, watch your drink or ask a friend to watch your drink as you go to use the lady’s.
- Avoid moving alone at night.
- Avoid lonely areas, especially at night. Granted rapists strike at any time of the day but the cover of darkness offers opportune moments to strike.
- Make use of alcohol based perfumes, insecticide, air fresheners, to spray the rapist’s eyes giving you enough time to run.