Sex Crimes Expert Gives Advice After Sand Springs Rape Attempt

Sand Springs officers are on patrol in the town's River City Park trails after an attempted rape there Sunday afternoon. A woman was jogging when police say she fought off an attacker who had a knife and a gun.

Sand Springs police say she was on the trail when the man lifted his shirt, and she saw a gun in his waistband. He forced her into this wooded area. When he made sexual demands, she resisted and that's when he pulled a knife. She decided to grab the knife, and the fight was on.

So many people wonder what they would do in this situation, what they should do.

Gary Stansill interviewed thousands of rape victims and hundreds or rapists during his 22 years of working sex crimes for Tulsa police. He says whether a victim should comply or resist in some way or fight back depends on the type of rapist, the type of victim and the type of setting.

He says each person and situation is different, so it's best to follow your instincts and focus on one goal: survive the attack.

6/24/2013 Related Story: Sand Springs Police Release More Information In Attempted Rape Case

"Three things usually are going to happen with victims. They'll either fight or flight or freeze," said Gary Stansill, retired sex crimes sergeant.

Stansill says educating yourself about the four different types of rapists might give you a better idea how to respond.

The power reassurance rapist, which some estimate is 70 percent of all attackers, will use just enough force to get the victim to comply. He doesn't believe the woman really means no. Stansill says this type might be more likely to stop or flee if you resist.

The power assertive, about 25 percent, wants to dominate, feels he deserves the sexual encounter and will be more aggressive.

The anger retaliatory rapist makes up less than five percent of all attackers. He strikes with a blitz attack that is sudden and violent.

The sadistic rapist, less than one percent, delights in the victim's torment and pain and can include mutilation or murder in his attack.

Stansill says those three might get more violent if you resist. He says if you decide to fight back, do so quickly.

"If you're gonna resist before he can get your under control or in a situation where you can't resist, make it pretty quick, early in the attack, is the best opportunity," said Gary Stansill, retired sex crimes sergeant.

He says stranger rapes, like the one that nearly happened in Sand Springs, make up only about 10 percent of all sexual assaults. It's much more likely you'll be assaulted by someone you know or just met.

He says practice in your mind, what you would do if faced with an attacker.

The Sand Springs Police Department is one of the few in the state that offers the RAD self defense program, which is Rape, Aggression Defense.

It's free for any citizen. Learn more about RAD.