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Girls Who Can’t Trust their Friends
December 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Everywhere you turn around women are still warned about “Stranger Danger” and for generations, parents have been telling their children not to talk to strangers. It’s a valuable piece of advice, although it doesn’t paint a complete picture. It may surprise you to find that 80% of sexual assault victims know their attackers.
Year after year, thousands of young women head off to university and college in all parts of the country. They are often unprepared for the dangers that they may lurk there – and it isn’t strangers. Being raped or assaulted by someone you know presents a whole new set of problems. For some reason, because it’s all happening within a closed group of friends and peers assaulted women are often not taken seriously and even get blamed by their own friends. No one wants to upset the apple cart.
Date and party rape are infrequently reported. Actually, that’s a big understatement- about 90% of the time nothing is said about date rape. It’s just brushed off as drunken antics at a party or a misunderstanding. This situation occurs thousands of times every year, on every campus across the country.
It’s not a pleasant situation and it isn’t going away. Some kids – both boys and girls alike are simply not as worldly as their soon to be peers and it’s easy for them to become victims. Everyone is going to do something stupid in their lives- probably a few times- but how can you protect your kids?
These are the six things you need to make sure that your kids understand
When alcohol gets involved, situations can easily get out of hand. Much too often, the blame is switched from the attacker to the victim. Even when the rape is reported, this can lead to the offender not getting punished. Your only sure hope for justice is prevention.
If a date is making you feel uncomfortable, let them know immediately. Do not let the situation escalate. When your safety is on the line, there is no need to worry about being embarrassed or sparing another persons feelings. Make your feelings clear, and then immediately leave.
Many women who have become involved with abusive partners were are first almost literally swept off their feet. The guys were charming and attentive, but on closer examination they were also jealous, protective and controlling. If you feel that a new relationship is moving too fast – then it is.
If you go out partying with your friends it’s important that you never ditch the one who’s had too much to drink. Even if they get loud and embarrasing and obnoxious – it really can happen to anyone and you can’t cut the weakling out of the herd quite so callously.
If you think you might be drinking -don’t go out alone. Go with a friend who won’t ditch you.
There are all kinds of people on college campuses. Although the majority may seem trustworthy, realize that these are not the friends that you grew up with. Your trust is to be earned, not given away lightly. Don’t let yourself be a victim.
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