How to Protect Someone from Getting Raped

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Updated: May 22, 2019

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Everyone knows that rape should be prevented, but not everyone knows how. Here are some realistic, safe ways to intervene and keep potential victims (and yourself!) safe.

Social Situations

Most rape victims know the person who attacked them. In social gatherings, especially ones involving drinking, keep an eye out for predators.

  1. 1
    Keep an eye out for your friends at parties. Notice if they're becoming very drunk, or if they're being cornered by someone who won't leave them alone. This way, you can swoop in if you see trouble.
    • Women are most likely to be raped, but men and non-binary people can also become victims. Keep an eye out for all your friends.
    • Never leave someone behind!
  2. 2
    Recognize that intervention doesn't have to be drastic in order to be effective. If you're in public, getting in between the assailant and victim is usually enough to delay or stop the issue.
  3. 3
    Get the potential victim's attention. In social situations such as parties, you can use common courtesy to intervene. This will cut off the potential rapist, as they would have to seriously break social rules in order to continue.
    • "Do you want to get some air?"
    • "I love this song! Come on, let's dance."
    • "Do you want a ride home? I can call you a cab."
    • "Erica! Hey, how have you been? I haven't seen you in forever!" (You can do this to strangers too. They will play along out of gratitude.)
  4. 4
    Distract or call out the aggressor. Most potential rapists aren't ready to shoot anyone who gets in their way; they're just pushy, entitled people who think they can get away with taking what they want. Show them that they'll be met with resistance, and their resolve usually falls apart.
    • "Knock it off. She said no."
    • "He can hardly walk. Leave him alone. My friends and I will take him home."
    • "Excuse me, sir? Your car's being towed."
  5. 5
    Enlist help. You can ask your friends, or friends of one of the parties involved, to help out. You may also wish to involve the bartender, the host of the party, or a security guard. Don't be afraid to call campus security or the police.
    • In the United States, if you, the victim, and/or many bystanders are people of color, you may have concerns about the police killing or brutalizing you instead of focusing on the crime. This is not fair or right, but it is a possibility you will have to weigh when deciding whether to call.
  6. 6
    Create a big distraction. Turn off the music or the lights. This will distract the potential rapist and make it clear to everyone that there's a problem here.

Private Situations

  1. 1
    Recognize that there is much greater risk if people aren't watching. If the rapist feels that they and the victim are alone, they may think they can get away with more violence. There is a chance that they have weapons and are willing to use them.
  2. 2
    Make noise if the rapist sees you. If the rapist has any shred of decency buried somewhere deep inside, your obvious surprise and disgust will make them stop. If not, be loud to get attention. Shouting "Fire!" or "My baby, my baby!" is more likely to make people come running.
    • "What the heck are you doing?"
    • "What is going on here?"
  3. 3
    Protect your own safety first. You getting hurt will not save the victim. If you haven't been seen, hide in a safe place and call the police.
  4. 4
    Remember any details you safely notice. If a car is involved, what color and make is it, and what is its license plate? Where exactly are you? How much of the rapist did/can you see, so that you can identify them later?
  5. 5
    Help the victim if it is safe to do so. The victim may be conscious, semi-conscious, or passed out completely from alcohol or date rape drugs. If they are crying or visibly upset, comfort them as best as you can. Ask how you can help, and explain that you have called the police.
    • Lay an unconscious victim on their side so that if they vomit, they will not choke.
  6. 6
    Explain what happened to emergency responders. You may be interviewed to help document the crime and provide important information. Watching them take over may make you feel helpless. This is normal, and you did the best you could. You were brave, and now the officials will handle the aftermath.

Community Q&A

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      • If you don't have a phone, find someone who does. Most strangers will be happy to let you borrow their phone, especially if it's an emergency.
      • Use your resources to the fullest extent to help the person.
      • Use stun guns or pepper spray if you have them and know how to use them. (Don't try to use a weapon you don't know how to operate. Get practice first!)
      • Hold the situation till police comes.
      • The steps included for government will ensure a broader sense of preventing crimes apart from protecting someone from getting raped.

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      Categories: Rape Prevention | Keeping Safe

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