As an American girl in Kuwait I must admit I feel much safer living here than in the United States. Crimes against American women are rare in Kuwait but lately it is increasing. I'm sure the articles below are not the full story but reading them this morning was disturbing.
Rape is never the fault of the victim but there are things a person can do to deter a violent crime. Most women would never get into a strangers car in the USA so why would you do it in Kuwait? I would suggest dressing conservatively in Kuwait out of respect for our host country and for your own protection. Seeing American girls my age and older around Kuwait dressed inappropriately is the norm now which is not only dangerous but disrespectful. Kuwait is not like America when it comes to conviction of violent crimes. What you wear when you were attacked does matter in Kuwait and can affect your case according to my Police Officer sources.
Use the buddy system in Kuwait. Go out with your friend or roommate because you are always safer in numbers. Ask your friends who is the best cab driver in Kuwait and only use him. Wait inside your apartment or wherever you are until he calls you to say he is outside. If you run or walk outside alone do it in a crowded area during daylight. Scream "Fire" as loud as you can if you feel like you are in danger. Let a friend know where you are going and what you are doing. Drive with your windows up and doors locked. Carry at least one charged cell phone with credit. Don’t make eye contact with other drivers and ignore unwanted attention. Don't fool yourself into thinking that because you are an American in Kuwait you are invincible. Apply your 'street smart 101' from the USA to living in Kuwait.
Everything I mentioned is common sense. I just felt the need to write it after I read these upsetting articles this morning. My heart goes out to the girls that were attacked and I pray for their safe recovery. They are victims of violent crime and I hope those responsible will be caught and punished to the full extent of the law.
Police launch manhunt for 2 in rape of young US woman
Arab Times Article
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 2, 2011: Police are looking for two unidentified youths for raping a 24-year-old American woman, reports Al-Rai daily.
According to reports the woman was waiting for a cab and the youths who were driving by offered to take her to her destination. They picked her in Salmiya and instead on taking her to her destination they took her to unidentified location and had sex with her.
The youths then drove her to Al-Sha’ab and escaped. The woman told about the incident to her friend and the latter filed a complaint with the police.
According to the description of the area given by the victim, police believe she was taken to Sabhan in the vicinity of the Kuwait International Airport.
Two nabbed in rape of US girl in Salmiya - (Update)
Arab Times Article - Update
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4, 2011: Security operatives from Hawalli managed to arrest two Kuwaitis, and a third suspect who had earlier escaped to a neighboring country, for the kidnapping and rape of a US girl in Salmiya.
The two citizens confessed to kidnapping and raping the girl, and Interpol was alerted to arrest the third suspect.
Minor girl abducted from home, sexually assaulted by 3 youths
Arab Times Article
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 3, 2011: The Hawalli police have arrested three youths for kidnapping and raping a minor girl, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.
The victim who is believed to be a Westerner telephoned her father from an unidentified location saying she had been kidnapped by three youths. The father also could hear her screaming and sobbing.
When the father filed a complaint with the police, securitymen managed to find the location from where the call was made and rushed to the spot and freed the victim.
During interrogation the youths are said to have admitted to breaking into the home of the victim and taking her to an apartment in Salmiya where they raped her successively.
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Teen Safety and Rape
Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse. Rape, sometimes also called sexual assault, can happen to both men and women of any age.
Rape is about power, not sex. A rapist uses actual force or violence — or the threat of it — to take control over another human being. Some rapists use drugs to take away a person's ability to fight back. Rape is a crime, whether the person committing it is a stranger, a date, an acquaintance, or a family member.
No matter how it happened, rape is frightening and traumatizing. People who have been raped need care, comfort, and a way to heal.
What Should I Do?
What's the right thing to do if you've been raped? Take care of yourself in the best way for you. For some people, that means reporting the crime immediately and fighting to see the rapist brought to justice. For others it means seeking medical or emotional care without reporting the rape as a crime. Every person is different.
There are three things that everyone who has been raped should do, though:
1.Know that the rape wasn't your fault.
2.Seek medical care.
3.Deal with your feelings
How To Prevent Rape
Rape Prevention
