Not all rapes are committed by a creep that jumps out of the bushes and kidnaps you; most rapes are committed by someone that you know, even someone you might hang out with regularly. Date rape is when forced sex happens between two people that already know each other (friends, coworkers, ex’s, acquaintances, etc.). Don’t convince yourself that you are not at risk for date rape, follow these safety precautions below. Prevention Rule #1: Have an End-of-the-Night-System With FriendsYou should never go to a party or to a bar without at least one friend that you trust. It’s smart to make a system with your friends that requires all of you to meet at the end of the night and go home together - no matter what. It’s better to try to stick together throughout the night but if that’s not possible then decide on a spot to meet when the party is over. If you don’t live near each other then make sure to see each other into cabs (or to your cars if you’re sober) and call each other when you’re safely inside your home.Prevention Rule #2: Designated Sober FriendChances are that you will go to parties and bars a lot with your friends, so you should switch off being the designated sober friend. Many date rapes occur when men take advantage of women that are too drunk to know what’s going on, so there should always be someone in your group that isn’t going to drink. She can be the one to keep an eye on the group, make sure your drinks aren’t left unattended, and make sure that the group leaves together.Prevention Rule #3: Watch Your Drinks & Your SobrietyWatch your drinks and watch your sobriety: don’t drink yourself stupid and don’t leave your cup unattended. Don’t drink to the point where you no longer have a sense of judgment. If you’re responsible enough to drink then you should be responsible enough to know when to stop - don’t put yourself at risk. One of the most crucial rules about being at a bar, party, club, etc., is to NEVER leave your drink unattended. If you put your drink down and walk away from it, someone can slip something in there and you would not know the difference. If you walk away from your cup by accident, get a new one, and don’t accept a drink unless you watch the bar tender pour it - better to be safe than sorry.Prevention Rule #4: Do Not Take Any DrugsThis might seem obvious but many women think that they are above this rule. Don’t take any kind of drug before you go to the party, don’t smoke weed, don’t pop a pill, nothing. You don’t want to be under the influence of any drugs when you go to a party to drink because not only can it have a bad interaction, but it also puts you more at risk for date rape. Drugs mixed with alcohol can make you completely lose control or lose consciousness, so don’t go under the influence of anything.
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