Street crime is on the increase in most large U.S. cities. It is also becoming more prevalent in small communities. The following list of "safeguards" will help protect you - and may even save your life!

Street crime is on the increase in most large U.S. cities. It is also becoming more prevalent in small communities. The following list of "safeguards" will help protect you - and may even save your life!

• When leaving home, make sure that all doors and windows are locked - including the garage door.
• Watch for loiterers and do not carry large sums of money.
• If possible, travel with another person. This is especially true after dark.
• When carrying a purse, women should have only 3 or 4 one dollar bills placed inside. Credit cards, currency, driver's license, keys and jewelry should be carried in a coat or sweater pocket or concealed on your person to reduce the opportunity of large losses. If you do carry a purse, don't wrap the strap around your shoulder, neck or wrist. If your purse is grabbed, a strong strap will not yield easily and you may be injured. Some purse snatch victims have been thrown off balance & received concussions, broken hips, arms or legs.
• Don't carry anything more valuable than you can afford to lose.
• Always leave all unnecessary credit cards at home.
• When you shop and carry a purse, put it in your shopping bag.
• At night, travel only well-lighted and well-traveled streets.
• Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
• Walk on the side of the street nearest to oncoming traffic. If accosted by someone in a car, run in the direction opposite the way the car is headed.
• Beware of people who approach asking directions; keep a polite but safe distance.
• A good suggestions for men is to carry a second wallet containing a few $1.00 bills and old expired credit cards, which are normally destroyed or discarded. If confronted at knife or gunpoint, give the suspect the second wallet and concentrate on a good physical description to help the police in making the arrest.
• Upon returning home, particularly after dark, do not linger at the entrance of your residence. Make a quick check for mail or newspapers, and enter immediately. If you feel something is strange, don't enter but go elsewhere and call for police assistance.
• If you feel someone is following you, go to the nearest occupied residence or building, and ask for assistance.
• If you are confronted with a dangerous situation, cry out for assistance. Yelling "FIRE! FIRE!" instead of "Help!" will generally bring faster attention.

Don't Carry Weapons That Can Be Used Against You

You should carry a police whistle, a flashlight, and pepper spray or mace spray on your key chain where they're readily available. Make a habit to carry your key chain in a pocket - NOT in a purse. And, you should never put your name and address on your house keys or car keys. This is simple a way of telling the thief who you are and where you live.

Call the Police Immediately

Most victims are attacked from behind. They don't get a good look at the attacker. And when a juvenile gets away with it once, he'll try it again. If attacked, call the police immediately. Try to remember all details - help your police help you!

Safeguarding Against Rape

If you are a female, chances are 1 in 10 that you will be a victim of sexual assault. The attacker makes no distinction between age, race, appearance or any other characteristics. Common sense is your best defense against attack. Because every rape is different, there's no one solution for thwarting an attack. If you are attacked, evaluate the situation and look for ways to escape. some women have avoided rape by talking their way out of it, acting crazy or fighting back. A kick in the groin isn't usually successful because men instinctively protect this area, and you may lose your balance. If you decide to respond physically, remember that your first priority is to get away. Act quickly and derisively to throw the attacker off guard while you escape. After an attack:
A. Go to a safe place.
B. Call the police.
C. Preserve evidence - don't shower or douche; blood and semen are important evidence. And don't change your clothes or disturb the scene of the crime.
D. Get medical care.

Medical attention is vital! Many hospitals provide free care for rape victims and offer pregnancy prevention and venereal disease treatment. Remember, even if you do get treatment immediately, follow-up tests for V.D. are essential.
Never be embarrassed because of the incident. Though difficult to talk about, it is important to tell doctors what sex acts took place so they will know what medical attention is needed.
Try to remember in detail your exact experience, for police records. Give as accurate and complete description of your assailant as possible. This is extremely important! Your complete co-operation with local authorities may help in preventing similar attacks on other girls and women.