The purpose of this study was threefold:(1) to develop a standardized scale that measures self-protective behavior on dates;(2) to document the incidence of sexual assault in dating relationships among heterosexual men and women and gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals; and (3) to investigate predictors of self-protective behavior in dating relationships. To measure self-protective behavior on dates, the Dating Self-Protection Against Rape Scale (DSPARS) was developed. The relationship among previous sexual victimization, self-perceived risk for sexual assault, rape awareness education, gender of dating partner, and DSPARS scores was assessed. Ss were 152 college students (42% male). 68% of the Ss self-identified as heterosexual, 10% as lesbian, 15% as gay, 5% as bisexual, and 2% did not indicate sexual orientation. Results suggest that the DSPARS has construct validity and satisfactory reliability. Data indicate that incidence of sexual assault victimization among heterosexual women was 16%, among gay men was 13%, among lesbians was 23%, and among bisexuals was 43%. Findings revealed that heterosexual women reported engaging in the most self-protective behavior on dates. A direct relationship was found between rape-awareness education and self-protective behavior on dates.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)