Recently I saw an interview with a young woman who had experienced a brutal rape.  As a counselor trained in sexual abuse and rape, I’ve heard countless heart-wrenching stories. Yet this account shook me up as much as any I’ve heard over the years. 

The ex-boyfriend of the woman believed she wanted to fulfill a rape fantasy.  So he pulled pictures of her off of her Myspace account and put them on Craigslist with possible dates and times potential rapists could execute the plan.  The young woman was not aware any of this was happening.

It sickens me to think that even one man would respond to the Craigslist ad and brutalize a woman in the manner she experienced, believing this was fulfilling her fantasy.  But what is even more incredible is that not just one man responded, 161 responded!

At the end of the interview, the young woman warned everyone listening to be very careful about posting personal information and pictures on social networking sites.  Stalkers often use information from social media to find potential victims.

Here are a few tips for staying safe:

  • Be careful about posting or tweeting where you are going or when you are not at home, regardless of your privacy settings.  Eighty percent of sexual assaults happen by someone the victim knows. Of your 900 “friends” on facebook, some are probably NOT your friend.
  • Don’t give out your birth date, address or phone number.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent person forsees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.  (NLT)

Be wise.  Stay safe.