Here is an interesting summary on rape prevention strategies [PDF]:
Women are often advised to use non-aggressive strategies against sexual assault[3]. Research suggests that this is a poor advice.According to one study, women who used non-forceful verbal strategies, e.g, crying or pleading with the assailant were raped about 96% of the time[4].
Forceful verbal resistance, including loud screaming was more effective than non-forceful verbal resistance. These strategies were associated with completion of rape from 44%-50% of the time[5].
Running works even better than verbal resistance. Researches indicate that only 15% of women who attempted to flee were raped[6].
Forceful physical resistance is an extremely successful strategy. The completed rape dropped to 14% when the rapist’s attempt was met with violent physical force. Striking was more successful than pushing or wrestling. Physical resistance also appeared to be more effective when assault occured outdoor[5].
Women who used knives or guns in self-defence were raped less than 1% of the time. Defensive use of edged or projectile weapons reduced the rate of injury to statistical insignificance[7].
To summarize
| Strategy | Percent of Rapes Completed |
|---|---|
| Crying or pleading | 96% |
| Forceful verbal resistance | 44% - 50% |
| Running | 15% |
| Forceful physical resistance | 14% |
| Gun or a Knife | <1% |
There are people out there who seem to genuinely believe that women should not be taught to forcefully resist a rapist. In the real world they are wrong. The best way to teach a rapist not to rape is still a sucking chest wound.
