Local rapes on the rise

Officials from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s station said the number of rapes in the area has risen 22 percent over the past year.

The Lost Hills jurisdiction covers Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village and Malibu.

While the reason behind the increase isn’t known, Detective Misty Walden said it’s important that both men and women know the facts about rape and why it occurs.

“We want to give tips to make people more alert when they’re going out,” Walden said.

The facts

•Rapists tend to use verbal and/or physical force to overpower their victims.

•Sexual coercion and aggression can occur at any stage in a relationship.

•Most rapes take place on the weekends, usually in cars, apartments or dormitories.

•Date rape is forcible sexual activity between people who are already acquainted. Nationally, 67 percent of the rapes committed are acquaintance rapes. Local percentages are similar.

Kathleen Adams, a clinical manager at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, works with the sexual assault response team and CATS (Children’s Assault Treatment Services). In the last two years Adams reportedly saw more than 900 victims between the ages of 15 and 25. Of those victims, 520 reported that the perpetrator was either an acquaintance or a boyfriend.

Tips for women

•If you go out alone, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be home.

•Make responsible decisions about the use of alcohol. Many date rapes involve the use of alcohol or drugs, which impair judgment. Never leave a drink unattended.

•Make clear decisions and communicate your boundaries the best that you can.

•Avoid secluded locations that could make you feel vulnerable.

•Be assertive—do not let anyone violate your space.

•As you get deeper into a relationship, talk openly about sex.

•Trust your gut feelings.

•If someone’s actions make you nervous or uneasy, get away.

•Don’t leave a concert or a party with someone you just met or someone you don’t know very well.

•Do not give signals to a man that you would like sex if that is not your true intention.

Tips for men

“In the past we’ve always talked about what women need to be careful about doing and really the emphasis needs to (be) on education for men, such as, if there’s alcohol involved, then there’s no consent,” Adams said.

“(Men) may think that they’re just having a good time and then all of a sudden they’re being charged with rape,” said Adams.

Men should know the following: •Intoxication is not a legal excuse for rape.

•Giving a controlled substance to anyone with intent to commit a sexual assault or other crime of violence is a felony.

•Previous sex with a woman does not give you permission for future sex.

•If you feel you’re getting double messages from a woman, ask her to clarify her intentions.

•Accept a woman’s decision when she says no.

•Sexy or provocative clothing and flirtatious behavior doesn’t give someone consent for sex.

If date rape happens

•Be a good witness. Remember every detail possible.

•Get medical attention as soon as possible.

•Do not shower, wash, douche, change your clothes, eat or brush your teeth, all of which could destroy valuable evidence.

•If you’ve been drugged, let qualified medical person know immediately so they can take a urine or blood sample.

More information

Those who would like to know more about rape prevention can also go to a Valley Trauma Center in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

The center also helps rape victims deal with the long-term issues of rape and offers programs for men to prevent rape. The center has a 24-hour hotline at (818) 886-0453.

For more information, visit www.valleytraumacenter.org.

Those who are victims of rape should immediately go to CATS at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Van Nuys.

For more information about that facility, visit www.abuseassaultservices.org.