Date and Acquaintance Rape Avoidance Scale

1. I avoid leading a person on sexually.
2. I avoid sending mixed signals.
3. I avoid encouraging talk about inappropriate topics.
4. I limit physical contact.
5. I maintain my personal space.
6. I avoid wearing clothing that I feel is revealing.
7. I avoid wearing clothing that is sexy.
8. I am upfront about my boundaries and personal space.
9. I will let a person know if they are making me uncomfortable.
10. I will refuse sexual advances if I am not interested.
11. I am aware as to what I have that can be used as a weapon (e.g., keys).
12. I lock my car/home immediately after I get in.
13. I let people know where I am going.
14. I let people know who I am going out with.
15. I let people know when to expect me back.
16. I will leave when I feel uncomfortable.
17. I will let someone else (e.g., friend, boss) know if someone is making me uncomfortable.
18. I park in well-lit areas.
19. I will not drink if I did not get or see it made myself.
20. I avoid leaving my food/drink unattended.
21. I will not drink or eat something I left unattended.
22. I avoid hanging around drunk men.
23. I avoid hanging around men that I know use drugs.
24. I trust my intuition about people and situations.
25. I watch for behavioral changes in people (e.g., body language, odd or creepy behavior).
26. I am careful about revealing personal information.
27. I prefer dates in public places.
28. I avoid going to unfamiliar places with my date.
29. I prefer the first few dates be in public places.
30. I limit the first few dates to public places.
31. I will go on a group or double date when I am dating someone new at first.
32. I try and make sure breakups are clear of any ambiguity.
33. I avoid contact with exes.
34. I do not kiss on the first date.
35. I will not date someone until I trust them.
36. I will not date someone until I think I know them well.
37. I try and find out more about the person before dating them (e.g., friends, Internet, background check).
38. I avoid dating men I met on the Internet.
39. I will not go to their home until I trust them.
40. I will not allow them into my home until I trust them.
41. I do not drink alcoholic beverages on dates.
42. I do not drink alcoholic beverages on first dates.
43. I do not get drunk on dates.
44. I do not get drunk on first dates.
45. I avoid being in a situation where I am in a secluded area with an acquaintance of the opposite sex.
46. I avoid leaving a populated location with an acquaintance.
47. I avoid being alone with acquaintances.
48. I avoid inviting acquaintances to my home.
49. I avoid going to an acquaintances home.
50. I will take a good friend with me when I go out with acquaintances.
51. I do not stray from friends at a social event.
52. I try and avoid being the only female at work late.
53. I avoid getting drunk with acquaintances.
54. I avoid drinking alcoholic beverages with acquaintances.
55. I will only drink alcoholic beverages with acquaintances if they are good friends or good friends are in attendance.
56. I avoid using drugs with acquaintances.
57. I am clear with friends that we are just friends, nothing more.
58. I avoid spending excessive time with acquaintances.
59. I will not spend time with an acquaintance that makes me feel uncomfortable.
60. I do not automatically trust everyone, they must earn it.
61. When I go out with acquaintances and I bring a friend, we will have a buddy system.
62. I watch for signs that acquaintances may be interested in me beyond friendship.
63. 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"

The individual scores across the 63 items are averaged to create a rape avoidance score, with higher scores indicating more rape avoidance behaviors.

PRIMARY CITATION:

Resendez, J. R., & Hughes, J. S. (2016). Introducing the date and acquaintance rape avoidance scale. Violence and victims, 31(4), 664-679.