The Date and Acquaintance Rape Avoidance Scale is a 63-item measure of behaviors women employ to avoid date and acquaintance rape, under a single factor: general vigilance. This measure was developed as a tool to be used for improving theory and constructing rape education and prevention programs.
Categories
Geographies Tested: United States of America
Populations Included: Female
Age Range: Adults
Items:
I avoid leading a person on sexually.
I avoid sending mixed signals.
I avoid encouraging talk about inappropriate topics.
I limit physical contact.
I maintain my personal space.
I avoid wearing clothing that I feel is revealing.
I avoid wearing clothing that is sexy.
I am upfront about my boundaries and personal space.
I will let a person know if they are making me uncomfortable.
I will refuse sexual advances if I am not interested.
I am aware as to what I have that can be used as a weapon (e.g., keys).
I lock my carhome immediately after I get in.
I let people know where I am going.
I let people know who I am going out with.
I let people know when to expect me back.
I will leave when I feel uncomfortable.
I will let someone else (e.g., friend, boss) know if someone is making me uncomfortable.
I park in well-lit areas.
I will not drink if I did not get or see it made myself.
I avoid leaving my fooddrink unattended.
I will not drink or eat something I left unattended.
I avoid hanging around drunk men.
I avoid hanging around men that I know use drugs.
I trust my intuition about people and situations.
I watch for behavioral changes in people (e.g., body language, odd or creepy behavior).
I am careful about revealing personal information.
I prefer dates in public places.
I avoid going to unfamiliar places with my date.
I prefer the first few dates be in public places.
I limit the first few dates to public places.
I will go on a group or double date when I am dating someone new at first.
I try and make sure breakups are clear of any ambiguity.
I avoid contact with exes.
I do not kiss on the first date.
I will not date someone until I trust them.
I will not date someone until I think I know them well.
I try and find out more about the person before dating them (e.g., friends, Internet, background check).
I avoid dating men I met on the Internet.
I will not go to their home until I trust them.
I will not allow them into my home until I trust them.
I do not drink alcoholic beverages on dates.
I do not drink alcoholic beverages on first dates.
I do not get drunk on dates.
I do not get drunk on first dates.
I avoid being in a situation where I am in a secluded area with an acquaintance of the opposite sex.
I avoid leaving a populated location with an acquaintance.
I avoid being alone with acquaintances.
I avoid inviting acquaintances to my home.
I avoid going to an acquaintances home.
I will take a good friend with me when I go out with acquaintances.
I do not stray from friends at a social event.
I try and avoid being the only female at work late.
I avoid getting drunk with acquaintances.
I avoid drinking alcoholic beverages with acquaintances.
I will only drink alcoholic beverages with acquaintances if they are good friends or good friends are in attendance.
I avoid using drugs with acquaintances.
I am clear with friends that we are just friends, nothing more.
I avoid spending excessive time with acquaintances.
I will not spend time with an acquaintance that makes me feel uncomfortable.
I do not automatically trust everyone, they must earn it.
When I go out with acquaintances and I bring a friend, we will have a buddy system.
I watch for signs that acquaintances may be interested in me beyond friendship.
I keep my distance from someone whom I think is interested in me when the feeling is not mutual.
Response Options:
Seven-point scale ranging from 1 = "never" to 7 = "always"
Scoring Procedures
The individual scores across the 63 items are averaged to create a rape avoidance score, with higher scores indicating more rape avoidance behaviors.
Original Citation
Resendez, J. R., & Hughes, J. S. (2016). Introducing the date and acquaintance rape avoidance scale. Violence and victims, 31(4), 664-679.