1. Unsafe people target a victim who they can have  access to without making others suspicious and who they judge to be vulnerable in some way.  The way a person looks or acts is never the cause of sexual abuse or sexual assault.
2. Unsafe people then test their target using intrusive actions that make the potential victim feel nervous, confused, or unsafe. Some intrusions are:
• inappropriate comments
• extremely personal questions
• standing or sitting too close
• using touch to intimidate
3. If unsafe people find that the intrusions effectively confuse or intimidate the  person, they try to isolate the potential victim.
4. The unsafe person may use threats to control the victim.  Unsafe people may...
• blame the victim
• abuse a position of authority
• tell the victim that no one will believe him/her
• threaten to harm the victim or someone close to the victim 

Things you can do to stay safer
 

• Sexual abuse can still happen even if a person follows every safety guideline.  Remember, no matter what the circumstances, sexual abuse is never the victim’s fault.
• If you find yourself in a situation that makes you uneasy, trust that “gut feeling,” and get away, if possible.
• Your best tool for staying safe is ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION.  When talking to the person who is making you feel unsafe:
• make eye contact
• use your serious, forceful voice
• clearly tell the person to stop the behaviors that make you feel unsafe.

1.  “Stop touching me”
2. “Don’t do that” 
3. “You’re making me feel uncomfortable” 

• ALWAYS tell a trusted adult, such as your parents or a teacher, about someone who makes you feel unsafe.  If the person doesn’t believe you or won’t help, then keep telling until someone listens.