Rape-Awareness Seminar Speaks to Dangers, Fears : Conference: About 80 women at daylong session receive information about prevention, the psyche of rapists and means of self-defense.

Jodee Brentlinger doesn’t intend to be anyone’s victim, especially a rapist’s.

So Brentlinger, 27, a teacher from Mission Viejo, spent Saturday learning about prevention and defense strategies that could save her life.

Valerie Slimm, 35, of Dana Point knows someone who was raped. She also vowed to learn how to protect herself.

The two women were among about 80 women who participated in a daylong seminar Saturday at Saddleback Women’s Hospital in Laguna Hills to increase their awareness of sexual crimes.

“Rape is a crime that permeates every strata of life. Rape crosses every socioeconomic boundary. Rape exists in every neighborhood,” said guest speaker Troyce Thome, founder of the Association of Women Against Rape Encounters (AWARE).

“Rape is not just a crime that happens to the young and beautiful. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere,” Thome said.

The seminar, co-sponsored by the hospital, AWARE and Women in Support of Saddleback Healthcare, offered information about prevention techniques, understanding the psyche of the different types of rapists, tips on using self-defense to ward off an attacker and where victims can go for help.

Janna Moore, community services officer for the Laguna Beach Police Department, told the group that rape is a violent crime of power and control--and has nothing to do with sex. And it is a myth, she said, that most victims wear skimpy clothes that entice their attackers.

“It’s anyone like you and me who get in the wrong place,” Moore said.

Thome said one goal of her group is to encourage women to report sexual assault crimes by eliminating the stigma. Only one in 10 sexual assaults is reported today, she said.

“Rape is the only violent crime (in which) the victim is made to feel ashamed,” she said. “It’s just now getting to be where people are beginning to talk about it.”

Often, she said, women are too traumatized to go through the further ordeal of reporting the crime. Also, teen-agers and young women usually don’t realize that a sexual attack by an acquaintance or date is rape.

“If women do report it, we’re able to put attackers in jail,” Moore said. “If you don’t, you’re enabling this person to do it again and again.”

Mary Matura of Mission Viejo and her daughter, Pamela, attended the seminar together, because rapes have occurred in their neighborhood.

“I think people should be aware because it’s a chance it could happen to you,” Pamela Matura said.