Unfortunately, a seemingly nice person can be a rapist. However, there are some individuals who are more likely to be sexually violent than others. While most sex offenders are male, we also know that women can be offenders and that many men are victims of sexual assault. What follows are some examples of behaviors that may be warning signs and should be taken seriously.

BE CAUTIOUS AROUND THOSE WHO:

• Do not listen to you, ignore what you say, talk over you or pretend not to hear you. Such people generally have little respect for others and would be more likely to hear "no" as meaning "convince me".
• Ignore your personal space boundaries.
• Easily express anger or aggression towards others. Hostile feelings can easily translate into hostile acts. This trait is more common for men.
• Do what they want regardless of what you want. Examples include: making all the decisions about what to do and where to go. Making decisions about sex without asking your opinion or honoring your decisions.
• Try to make you feel guilty, or accuse you of being "uptight" if you resist their sexual propositions.
• Act excessively jealous or possessive.
• Have wrong or unrealistic ideas about women (for example, "women are meant to serve men"). Such men are not likely to take your objections to sex seriously.
• Be wary of individuals who drink heavily. A "mean drunk" can more easily become sexually aggressive, angry or violent when rejected.

Remember:

RAPE IS NOT ABOUT SEX. It is about power and a need to control someone else. No one ever asks to be sexually assaulted. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, there are steps you can take. Please read on to find out more.

Chapter One  •  Chapter Two  •  Chapter Three  •  Chapter Four  •  Chapter Five  •  Chapter Six  •  Chapter Seven  •  Chapter Eight  •  Sexual Assault Centers  •  Domestic Violence Projects  •  Table of Contents