March 5, 1996

ie Press

Precautions against assault

by Manjit Brar

Fear is a daily fact of life for women.
Every day there is a new statistic
reminding us of how unsafe our gender
is, and crimes of violence against women
seem to be ‘on the increase. It seems that
every time you pick up the paper or turn
onthe TV you can’t help but read or hear
about another woman who’s been
assaulted.

Testimony of this is the Montreal
Massacre of 1989, the murders of
Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy by
Paul Bernardo, the abduction and
murder of Melanie Carpenter, the

‘Coquitlam mom brutally beaten to death

while walking home, and the Abbotsford
killer who is still on the loose.
These were not just random acts
of violence, they were crimes |
against women.

Assault is the intentional use of
force against another person with
out that person’s consent. The
victims of sexual assault are
most often female, but there
does not appear to be a pattern
regarding age, race, or
physical appearance.

Women are at risk and they need to
remember that assault is not a crime
that happens to other people, but
rather one which can happen to them.
Crime seems to be a part of the fabric
of society, and we cannot get rid of it

- altogether, but there are precautions that

women can take in order to reduce the
risk of being assaulted.

The most important thing a woman
can do to increase her safety is to
increase her awareness everywhere she
goes. When you learn to be aware of

-what’s going on around you and

recognize risk, your risk of attack
decreases. Be observant at all times and
assess people around you, and most
importantly, trust your feelings when
you get the feeling that something just
isn’t right.

Some ways to ensure your safety at
home is to equip your door with a door
viewer and a deadbolt lock. You should
secure all windows with locks and draw
the drapes after dark. If you live in an

| hate being

Anonymous
The other day I went into my local comer

_ store for snacks to “aid” my studying. While
| Twas there two men came in, one stood in

the doorway while the other bought rolling

_ papers. I was a little wary, but not nervous
(yet).

.

Tt was when the guy at the counter started
rolling a joint on the counter and the other

      
  
   
   
 
   
 

  
  
   

apartment you should never go alone to
the laundry room or parking garage, and
should never get into an elevator if the
people inside make~you uneasy.
Feminine identification should be
avoided on your mailbox and in the
telephone book. Instead of using a first
name, all women should use two initials
and their last name. When you’re going
out and expect to return after dark, you
should leave an outside and selected
interior lights on. If you should ever
return home to find that your windows
or door have been tampered with, do not
enter or call out. Instead go to a
neighbours place and call the police.
Cars can also be potentially

dangerous areas. You should

areas, alleys, vacant lots and buildings,
and short cuts through parks at night.

Approach places where someone
could hide, like shrubbery and dark
doorways, with caution and awareness.
Walk near the curb and away from
doorways and alleys. Travel light—don’t
overburden yourself with bulky
packages and bags. Keep your hands
free, you may need them. If at any time
you suspect you are being followed,
change directions or go into the nearest
home, store, restaurant, or place of
business and call the police.

If you are ever in a dangerous
situation, remember that your prime
objective is to get out of a possible
offender’s control. Depending on the
situation your response will vary. In

some situations assertive
behaviour may prevent an assault,

7 for many men look for women they

make
sure that
you always
lock your doors and keep the
passenger windows rolled up. Keep your
keys ready as you approach your car so
that you won’t linger outside, but quickly
check the back seat and the floor before
you enter to make sure no one is hiding
inside, even if the doors were locked. If
someone does try to get into your car
drive off immediately, but if you can’t,
then draw attention to your situation by
leaning on the horn.

Street safety is a great concern for
many women, but it is impossible and
ridiculous to expect women to stay off
the streets. There are ways the streets can
be made safer for us. Women should be
aware of their surroundings avoid areas
that increase their chances of being
assaulted. Some potentially dangerous
areas are poorly lit streets, deserted

afraid

one was blocking the door, that I became
nervous,

Here I am, at my comer store at 10pm on
a Wednesday night, starting to sweat because
some jerk decides to roll a joint on the
counter. Why should I feel intimidated and
scared in my own neighbourhood? Why can
these guys waltz around like they own the
place, while other customers are trying to
hide in the cereal aisle?

Women’s boxing

by Holly Keyes

Are you interested in self-defence?
Looking to get some exercise? How
about boxing? Douglas College has its
own boxing club, and anyone interested
in boxing for fun or competition is
welcome to join.

Winnie Schelt coaches the team in
room 1315, Monday through Friday
from 2 — 7 pm. Schelt says there are
about 15 women in the club, some of
whom have competed and have done
well.

Last fall, at the Golden Gloves,

_ Christy Popowich won first place.

The Diamond Belt will be held May

16 and 17 at Douglas College. The
competition wfrom BC and Alberta.

This year was the first that women’s
boxing has been included in
tournaments. Women now rank equal
to men in tournaments.

Douglas is the first college in Canada
to have a boxing team. Schelt is hoping
to have a contagious effect on the other
schools and have more institutions
getting into competitions.

The team works out during all three
semesters. They work on sparring and
self-defence. Whether you train for
fitness or competition, you get the same
training. Drop by room 1315 for more
information or to join.

% y can overpower to build up their own

sense of power and control.
An offender may be dissuaded
from assaulting if a self-assured,
confident image is presented using

‘controlled gestures, a firm voice and

direct eye contact.

In another situation the best response
may be to run to the nearest residence
or business, or to scream for help to draw
attention. The adrenaline created in your
body by your fear may give the strength
to run faster and scream louder than you
would normally expect.

The choice to physically. resist an
attack can only be made by you. If you
use self-defence remember that you are
not fighting to win, but rather to gain
the valuable time to get away. If your
assailant is armed with a weapon then
your options are limited. Remember,
there is no way to predict an attacker’s
actions.

These are precautions women can
take to reduce the risk of being
assaulted, but because assaults are
violent and unpredictable in nature,
following these techniques does not
guarantee that an assault will not occur.
Women must remember that assaults are
neither provoked nor deserved. If you
are unable to stop an assault, you are not
to blame.

What has happened to our society? There
is something inherently wrong with our
society that makes women afraid to go out
alone. I hate being afraid! I am an
independant person—I ve travelled to many
countries and experienced many cultures, but
I am nervous to go out at night to buy a
chocolate bar from my comer store!

 

 
   

isconceptions.

There are many misconceptions about sexual assault. Some
of the most common are:
1. Sexual assault is a crime of passion.
FACT; Sexual assault is a crime of violence acted
out in a sexual way. Power and control are the motives
for this crime.
2. Sexual assault is a crime committed by perverts or
sirangers.
FACT: Most offenders appear normal, and many are
known to the victim.
- 3. Only the young, attractive women are sexually
assaulted.
_ FACT: Females of every size, shape and age have
been sexually assaulted.
4. A sexual offense committed by a husband, iother
or father is not a crime.
FACT; Any person regardless of the selationship to
the victim can be charged for committing a sexual

  
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
    
 

assault.

5. Females who are “ua ly assaulted “ask for it”
either by the ey dress or the lifestyle they lead.
FACT: Studi ders have shown that most

re-planned and the victim’s dress
to. do with the offender’s

ight in dark, isolated

places.
FACT: / it of sexual assaults occur
either ora aichicie. and many of these
assault: the daylight hours.
Unfortuna misconceptions perpetuate the idea that
the women to blame if they are assaulted. It is

men to know the truth about sexual assault,

they will take appropriate precautions, but so
that, should ¢ an assault occur, THEY KNOW IT WAS NOT
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DC’s Sexual and Personal Harassment Policy

If you think you are being harassed, consult with a harassment advisor. All inquiries
are strictly confidential. Advisors will review your options and the possible actions
you may wish to take. Allegations of sexual and/or personal harassment will be taken
seriously. The college is prepared to take action based on your needs.

The following people are Harassment advisors:
Elizabeth Wilson 527-5148 (or local 5148)-

Steve Norris 527-5143 (or local 5143)

Gary Tennant 527-5137 (or local 5137)

Donna McGee 527-5137 (or local 5147) or 467-6811

The complete Sexual and Personal Harassment Policy and list of Harassment Advisors
is available at Student Services, Personnel, Security, Switchboard and the Student