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us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
someone at a party keeps trying to isolate you or take you to a private place

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Move to a busy, visible area and tell a trusted person, host, staff member, or security worker that you do not want to be alone with this person. If you are in immediate danger or cannot leave safely, call 911 or ask someone nearby to call.

Do not do these things

  • Do not go somewhere private just to avoid seeming rude.
  • Do not leave the party alone with the person if you feel unsafe.
  • Do not hand them your phone, bag, keys, or transportation details.
  • Do not confront them alone if that could increase the danger.
  • Do not wait for proof of harmful intent before asking for help.
  • Do not drink from a container that was unattended or that you did not see being opened or prepared.
  • Do not let anyone pressure you to stay after you decide to leave.

What to do now

  1. Move toward other people, preferably near trusted friends, the host, event staff, security, or a bartender.
  2. Tell one person clearly what is happening. You can say, “They keep trying to get me alone. Please stay with me and help me leave.”
  3. Stay with that person or group. Ask them not to leave you alone with the person who has been pressuring you.
  4. Keep your phone, keys, identification, drink, and other belongings with you. Ask a trusted person to help retrieve anything you cannot collect safely.
  5. Arrange transportation with a trusted sober person, taxi, or rideshare using your phone or the phone of someone you trust. Wait in a populated place rather than outside alone.
  6. If the person follows you, blocks your path, threatens you, touches you without consent, or prevents you from leaving and you feel in danger, call 911 or ask someone nearby to call.
  7. If you suddenly feel much more intoxicated, confused, weak, or drowsy than expected, tell a trusted person immediately, stay with them, and seek urgent medical help. Call 911 if you are difficult to wake, have trouble breathing, have a seizure, collapse, or are in immediate danger.
  8. Once you are in a safer place, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline if you want confidential support. You do not have to decide now whether to report anything.

What can wait

You do not need to decide what the person intended, whether their behavior has a particular label, whether to confront them, or whether to report anything. Explanations, future contact, and longer-term decisions can wait until you are safer and have support.

Important reassurance

Repeated attempts to separate you from other people are enough reason to move away and ask for help. You do not owe anyone privacy, politeness, an explanation, or another chance. Uncertainty does not mean you have to remain near them.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate steps for reaching a safer situation and getting support. Later decisions may require help from a sexual assault advocate, healthcare professional, campus service, workplace safeguarding contact, or another appropriate specialist.

Important note

This is general safety information, not legal, medical, therapeutic, or other professional advice. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical assistance.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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