The number of rapes reported in Emporia is down this year, despite a recent rash of rumors to the contrary.
Police Chief Mike Heffron said last week that his department has received reports of 13 rapes since Jan. 1, 2006. Three of those reports were unfounded, bringing the total down to 10. A total of 25 reported rapes were received in 2005, though two of them also were unfounded, for a total of 23.
Emporia State University Police Capt. Chris Hoover said that his department investigated a reported rape in February and is investigating a second report filed in August. Two rapes were reported in 2004 and no rapes were reported in 2005. The rape statistics, and other crime information, is published on the university’s web site at http://www.emporia.edu/right2know/stats.html.
The statistics are not a signal for women to be less cautious.
“I don’t want to frighten people,” Heffron said.
Dangers do remain, however, and some can be eliminated.
Heffron offered several ways women of all ages can help protect themselves from attack or avoid situations that make them vulnerable to an unwanted sexual experience. Most rape reports name an acquaintance, friend or former boyfriend or husband as the perpetrator, rather than an unknown attacker, he said.
Former boyfriends or husbands “may feel more ownership” because of the past relationship.
“It doesn’t make it right,” Heffron said. “If it’s an ex and you feel uncomfortable, turn around and call 911 before something does happen.”
Women can increase their safety in social situations by following a few simple guidelines.
“Go out with another girlfriend or more,” Heffron said. “Stay with them. Cover each other.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Olpe or Kansas City, Mo., a young woman walking alone at one in the morning is not a good idea.”
Riding home with a stranger because friends have left is not a good alternative to walking.
If a woman decides to accept a ride home with a male acquaintance, Heffron recommends that she tell a friend about that plan and provide the name of the man she is leaving with, as well as any other information available about him.
“Don’t leave with a guy you’ve never met before or a guy you barely know,” he said. “Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re alone at his place, or vice-versa.”
Drinking too much alcohol also puts women at risk, Heffron said. Under the influence of a few drinks, decision-making becomes clouded; a few more drinks may render her unable to make a decision at al, or unable to remember what happened to her between the last drink and the time she awakened.
“The more alcohol intake you have, the less common sense you have, I would think,” he said.
When a woman needs to get away from a threatening situation or finds herself unable to get home safely, Heffron said that women may call police for assistance.
“That’s what the police department is for,” he said. “We could certainly make arrangements” for a ride home.
Darkened parking lots also can pose hazards. Unlock the driver’s side door, get inside the car and lock the doors immediately, he said.
To help prevent or deter attacks in the home, Heffron recommended keeping a telephone nearby to call for help. A call to 911 in the police dispatch center generates the telephone number and address of the caller, so police will know where to respond.
Keep pots and pans under windows that could be breached by an intruder. The noise that results will waken the resident and may cause the intruder to flee. Pepper mace or a fire extinguisher near the bed also can be an effective deterrent.
“Fight like hell,” Heffron said. “Hit him, gouge him, scream, make noise. More than likely that will end up with a better result than being passive... especially in apartment houses” and areas where other people are nearby.
If rapes, sexual assaults or other crimes do occur, victims need to call police immediately.