Women hitchhikers, be careful!

Sometimes, and not so seldom, a nice experience turns into a nightmare that has grave consequences. Read some advice on how to save yourself from such a situation or avoid it completely.

Hitchhiking is cheap and relatively fast way of travelling. While we have a hard time to convince anyone to stop by lifting the thumb,  women quite quickly get their ride. However, sometimes they get more than what they wanted. Almost every girl I know already had a bad experience. Mostly there is no harm done, however, the situation could end up by rape. The consequences of rape are long-term and serious, so saving €20 seem a high price to pay.

Preventive

This might sound foolish, but clothing and conduct are vitally important factors according to which rapists seek their victims. No one claims that you have to walk around buttoned up to your neck and behave yourselves as virgins. However, you have to realise that, although you know who you are like and what you want, other people first see you outer apperance. If you are dressed to attract attention, unfortunately some people believe you also want it. Let me give an example. You wear the costume of a deer for the opening of the hunting season and, dressed like that, you go to the forest. Someone shoots you. Of course, you have the right to go to the forest and be dressed like a deer, but the blame will be attributed to you, although it was not you who shot you. Therefore, if you like mini skirts and low necks, wear them at an appropriate time and in an appropriate place. Hitchhiking includes risk and failing to consider this risk is foolish and naive.

There are also some effective ways how to protect yourself. The first and golden rule of hitchhiking is: Never hitchhike alone! If there is no other way,  check out the car before you enter into it. Write the registration plate as a text message in your mobile telephone and send it to your friend or mother. You also say that to the person, so you basically eliminate every thought of unlawful acts. Do not start conversation with the driver abour sexuality, your private life and similar. You can also use your telephone to take a picture of the driver, but first ask him if he permits that. Try to remember as much details as possible, objects in the car and special features of the driver. If the conversation turns to sexuality, react in a calm way and demand that he stops the car and pulls over. In particular, do not show fear.

If preventive does not help

Fear is the worst possible reaction. Rapists can smell it, seek it and need it. If you notice that he turned off the road, ask him in a calm way what is going on. If the response is strange, demand with a clear and strong voice that he pulls over. If he turns off the main road, try to open the door and jump out of the car. Sometimes it helps if you get completely crazy. Start shouting and respond to every attempt of touching by hitting and scratching him. A rapist is usually turned off by pain, but not necessarily. Do not cry. Be offensive and arogant. If you do not manage to escape from the car, try to insult him at every step. In particular, do not let go easily, do not get numb and do not wait for everything to pass. A man has a lot of vulnerable ponits and if you defend yourself, you will at least spoil his pleasure. Some rapists do not feel the pain of others, but they do feel their own pain. Never give him any chance to defend himself by saying: “I thought she liked me.” Scratch his eyes out and aim for his groin and windpipe.

If nothing helps and the rapists becomes so violent that you are afraid for your life, and he threatens you with a knife or weapon, it is better that you choose life over pride. Some women carry a teargas spray or knife on them. A teargas spray is useless in a car because you will be likely to end up in the cloud of gas yourself. However, in the long term this will probably stop the rape. You rather not use the knife. You might get charged by the law of using excessive force, if you accidentally stab him to death, or if you seriously injure him. We will write more about the psychology of victims and other ways of saving oneself some other time. Be brave.