How Can I Know Who I Can Trust, and Who to Avoid?

Some people are more likely to be sexually aggressive than others. Watch out for:

• Dates who don’t listen to you, talk over you, or pretend not to hear you. Such individuals would be more likely to hear “no” as only the beginning of a negotiation – to change your mind to say “yes.”
• Dates who ignore your personal space and boundaries.
• Partners who act excessively jealous or possessive.
• Individuals who express anger or aggression toward others. Such individuals often become hostile when women say “no.”
• Partners who do what they want regardless of what you want — for example, if they make all of the decisions about what to do on a date without asking for your opinion, they would be more likely to make decisions about whether or not you are ready to have sex.
• Partners who try to make you feel guilty, or accuse you of being “uptight” if you are uncomfortable with their sexual overtures.
• Individuals who have outdated ideas about women (for example: “women should know their place” or “men’s needs are more important than women’s needs.”)
• Individuals who drink heavily. A “mean drunk” can often get sexually aggressive, angry, or violent if rejected.