On Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm The Garner Police Department will host a four (4) hour Rape Defense Seminar for Women at the West District Police Substation, 1809 Garner Station Blvd.

NC SBI reports that on average, one completed rape occurs in North Carolina every four (4) hours; additionally the FBI reports that on average one completed rape occurs in the United States every 5.8 minutes.

The FBI and Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Crime/Victimization Statistical Report states that over 190,000 rapes/sexual assaults or attempted rapes/sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement agencies in 2005.  Almost twice as many were reported to other non law enforcement agencies such as rape crisis centers. The report also informs us that of the reported rapes/sexual assaults or attempts, 75% or more of the victims knew or were acquainted with the suspect/offender.  

The FBI and BJS also reported to say that in 50% of rapes/sexual assaults or attempts reported to law enforcement, the victim was under the age of 18.  Security On Campus, Inc. (http://www.campussafety.org) reports that the chances for women in college to be raped or sexually assaulted increase by 25% during their four year stay.  

This rape defense seminar focuses on the fact that women who resist an attack are less likely to be raped than those women who do not resist.  Studies from rape crisis centers, law enforcement agencies and crime statistic gathering agencies in the United States and Canada conclude that 70 - 80% of women who resist their attacker with some type of psychological and/or physical resistance avoid being raped.  These agencies also conclude that in over 96% of the attacks where no resistance was offered the rape was completed.  

Participants of this class will be taught and allowed to practice methods on how to be mentally and physically prepared to resist the attack.

To register for the class please call Senior Officer Troy Young at 772-8810.