Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Awareness By KAREN LEE Gamecock Staff Writer Awareness of the possibility of rape is the best protection from the crime, Rose Nelums and Lucy Williamson 01 the YWCA say. The two women conducted a workshop on rape as part of USC's program, "The Emerging Woman," held at the Russell House Monday. "LOOK ALERT," Nelums said. "Rapists pick women that look as though they have no purpose in mind, and don't care about themselves and are not alert." Most rapists pick the location where they attack a woman, not the victim. The woman does not usually provoke the attack, the speakers said. It is a crime of violence and aggression, rather y irJg ? p ~ r" "rr]. - "- jl j ip i '' * * % SPEC! THIS T EI Everyo: of rape's po than one of passion, they said. ueiense weapons are usually useless, because the attacker can often wrestle guns and knives from their victims and use them against the women, and women are often inefficient in the use of weapons, Williamson said. These weapons are also illegal, but a purse may contain many legal improvisational weapons, the speakers said. In an accompanying filmstrip, one such weapon was demonstrated. A keyring was held so the keys protruded through the fingers, forming a spiked fist. A whistle was attached to the key ring. If attacked, put a pen or fingers in the attacker's eyes, make an identifying scar, use your - v3H^B|ii?s * X*;.&*jsgF : 5 ^|fpi ' "^ . v31M; ;f? AL OLY RALLY 4 A _ i AFTER] Tiursday, April 4:00 I THE AT ne Should Be opuiiouitsu I ssibility is b fingernails and whistle or scream as you run away, speakers said. IMMEDIATELY AFTER an attack, write down all details you can remember about the rapist. This will be a great aid when you find von havp tn rpnpat thp stnrv ^? ? ?r wvv,J many times later, Williamson said. "It helps you to be sure you've got it right and all written down," she said. Do not bathe, clean up or change clothes, Williamson said. A woman should call a friend to accompany her to the hospital. "You're going to need a support base," Williamson said. The hospital visit is necessary to get a pregnancy test, VD test and so an examination can be made for __jS> mw MPICS tfOON 7. RE Present yy VAC and APO est protectic clues, she said. Only a qualified doctor can make the examination, because he must go to court. He is called by the i 1 ?1 _ * nuspuai wnen a rape vicum arrives. In 1976 in Richland County 36 rapes were reported to the sheriff's department and 14 arrests made. There were 86 rapes reported to the Columbia police department in 1976. People have many misconceptions about rape, Nelums said. One misconception is that the rapists' victim is usually of a different race. She said though that only 7 per cent of all rapes involve attackers and victims of different races. Another misconception is that women are safer at home. The speakers said more than 50 per cent of reported rapes occur in the home. Women also mistakenly believe they should plan a course of action before they are assaulted and adhere to the plan if an attack ever occurs. "THINK IT THROUGH and be I EASTER II A.M. EL 728 PICK! (sponsored by E] | Methodist camp CUSTOM For... Clubs,Dorms,Frat! >Or<ganizatioiiis,arKi Special Events 771-8853 Good Prices-Good ( TREA EXPERIENCE: Served on Student Two years Studen ? Accounting trainir )n on your alert. Be aware it can happen," but be flexible and adapt to the situation, Williamson said. "You would have to weigh the site and circumstances." While the victim vivirllv remembers the emotions and fright for as long as four years, the assailants don't, the speakers said. "Rape has tremendous impact on victims, and there's a great deal of recall," Nelums said. Williamson said, "Men convicted of rape asked to describe their victims often can remember only that they were female. They can not remember the way they looked." The legal definition of rape in South Cflrnlina is hnino K?r the S C. house of Representatives, the speakers said. The bill would detail different penalties for specific crimes involving varying degrees of rape A criminal's sentence would depend on the seriousness of the attack. Proponants of the legislation say that the legislation would make rape laws more specific and so make prosecution for rape simpler, the speakers said. WORSHIP M CENTER im STREET piscopal, Lutheran, us ministries) I T-SHNRTC luality-Good Delivery I MARK PITTS i SURER Allocations Commission t Senate >g