| Dating Safely: Protecting Yourself from Date
Rape |
- Meet in public
Though
it seems romantic, do not rendezvous with your date in secluded, private
areas. Choose a place that is well-lit and has a lot of people around.
If your date asks you to meet him in a hotel room or his car, just say
no.
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- Go out as a group.
Make it a group date, especially if you barely know that
person. You can get to know your date even in the company of others.
Remember that there's safety in numbers.
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- Don't ride with
strangers.
When we were five, our mothers always told us to
never accept rides from strangers. The same advice applies here. Police
authorities and safety experts agree, if you don't really know that
person well, it's best to take your car or hitch with a relative or
friend.
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- Bring your cellular
phone.
Make sure you have enough credits and that it is
fully charged. If you encounter any sticky situations, your mobile phone
will definitely come in handy.
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- Take it easy on the
booze.
Alcohol slows down the body's functions, impairs
vision and judgment. Know how many glasses or shots it takes before you
get tipsy. Do not go beyond that number. Experts recommend two to three
drinks in one evening is a pretty safe number.
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- Watch what you're drinking-even if
it's non-alcoholic.
Even non-alcoholic beverages like iced
tea could be dangerous, if you're not careful. Sometimes, people slip in
downers or other date rape drugs in drinks. Experts say that its best if
you only drink beverages that were opened in front of you, so you know
there are no "secret" ingredients. Never accept free drinks from
strangers or people you do not trust.
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- When in doubt, get
out.
If something feels wrong, trust your instinct and
leave immediately.Do not put compromise safety over your date's
feelings.
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