
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1995                   TAG: 9505040027
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETH MACY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DON'T BE A STATISTIC:

One out of three women is sexually assaulted in her lifetime. One out of four girls is sexually assaulted by age 18. And one out of 10 boys is sexually assaulted by 18. No one is immune to sexual assaults. Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA), a division of Blue Ridge Community Services, offers these tips for helping decrease the numbers:

Dos

Lock all windows and doors. Have your keys ready when entering your car or home.

Check back seat and floor before getting into a car.

Get to know your neighbors.

Use your initials, not your first name, on your door, mailbox and phone listing.

Record an ambiguous answering-machine greeting.

Always walk at a steady pace and look like you know where you're going.

If you think someone is following you, drive to the nearest public place, police or fire station for help.

Know your physical capabilities. Your primary concern is your safety.

Don'ts

Never leave notes on your door indicating your whereabouts, when you will return or where your keys are.

Avoid hitchhiking and walking alone at night. If you feel you're in a dangerous situation, don't hesitate to run and scream.

If strangers call, don't admit that you're alone. Hang up on prank callers.

Never allow a stranger to enter your home. Ask service personnel for identification.

Don't stop to help a motorist in trouble; drive to the nearest telephone and call for help for the motorist.

For more information, call SARA's 24-hour emergency hotline at 981-9352.

by CNB