Starting University or College, Here Are 10 Safety Tips For Your Consideration :
Well before you know it, the summer will be over and University and College will be back in session. Although your campus life will be filled with many rewarding experiences, there are also some safety risks that you should be aware of as well. Awareness of these risks, and implementing strategies to reduce these risks, is always a good first step to having a rewarding, safe and secure life on campus.
Although we don’t hear much about campus crime, it does occur and studies have found that many criminal acts committed on campus go unreported and/or under reported. Did you know that university and college students are the number one risk group when it comes to identity theft? Specific to sexual assault, a recent US based Department of Justice Report on sexual crimes committed on college women found:
•Annually 4.9% of college Co-Eds experience a rape. In other words, the victimization rate is 49 rapes per 1000 female students.
•When one considers that the average college career now lasts 5 years, there is a 25% likelihood of a rape between Freshman Orientation and Graduation Day.
•This data becomes more disturbing when analyzed by the number of incidents rather than the number of victims. When the analysis is based on incident count the rate increases by nearly 30%. This takes into account women who have been victimized more than once.
•Crimes categorized as sexual victimization other than rape touched 3.4%, or 34 per 1000, college Co-Eds annually.
•9 out of 10 victims know the person who sexually victimizes them.
•71% of sexual victimization of college women occurs on a date – known more commonly as date rape.
•88%of sexual crimes against women occur between the hours of 6 pm and 6 am.
•Sexual victimization of college Co-Eds most often occurs in a residence (on or off campus), with nearly 60% occurring in the victim’s own residence, 30% occurring in other campus living quarters and 10% at a Fraternity.
•Overwhelmingly, data indicates that women who attempt to protect or defend themselves avoid becoming the victim of a completed rape. While protecting or defending oneself is not a 100% guarantee, it is overwhelmingly the best action to take in order to avoid becoming the victim of a completed rape.
•In the instances where women used force or a self-defense product like pepper spray just under 31% of the attempted rapes resulted in completed rapes.
•Shockingly, fewer than 5% of completed or attempted rapes are actually reported to law enforcement officials. Reasons indicated for not doing so include: Not serious enough to report; not clear a crime was committed; not wanting family or others to know; lack of proof; fear of reprisal by the assailant; fear of hostility by police and fear police would not believe the incident occurred or was serious enough.
•Another frequent and unwanted violation of women on college campuses is stalking. An annual incidence rate 156.5 stalkings per 1000 Co-Eds is reported.
So here are 10 safety tips that you can establish to reduce the risks mentioned above:
1. Use the buddy system: When going out to a party, take a friend with you and make a pact that you will look after one another especially if you show sever signs of intoxication greater than the amount of alcohol consumed. If you are going out alone, let someone know where you are going and when you are expected back. If you have an iPhone, download an App called “Rescue”. When activated this App will send a message to a friends list stating that you need help, as well as your GPS location. Remember to keep your cell phone on your person rather than in a bag or purse.
2. Watch what you drink and how much you drink. Never leave your drink unattended or allow someone you don’t know to mix your drink given the real risks surrounding the use of a date rape drugs. If you do put your drink down and come back to it later, ignore it and get yourself a new drink. Date rape drugs aside, remember that alcohol alone is the number one date rape drug, so remember to drink in moderation and not to the point where you are unable to look after yourself. If you are going out drinking, have a responsible designated driver to get you home safely. Remember that the number one killer of young people is getting into a car with a drunk driver.
3. Save Campus Security contact numbers on your phone.Many security departments offer “safe escorts” on campus, especially at night.Never feel embarrassed to use this resource; that is what they are there for, to keep you safe. Also, many campuses offer "Emergency Text Alerts" via your personal cell phone when there is a situation on campus, which I think every student should sign up for if offered.
4. Always keep your dorm room doors locked, even when you are in your room, and never open the door until you ask who is there first. We also strongly recommend that you ask the university to change the door locks even if it cost you a few extra dollars to do so.
5. Always be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you sense danger pay attention to your little voice, as it is a million years of evolution that the creator has given us to stay safe. Minimize the use of ear buds, especially at night and don’t forget to walk strong and confident in well-lit areas on campus. Again if you sense danger don’t hesitate to contact campus security or 9-1-1.
6. Keep your valuables in a safe place or locked down. The number one campus crime is theft of personal belongings (especially laptops, tablets, smartphone and other tech devices) that you leave unattended. Whenever you leave your room, even just for a few minutes, get into the habit of locking your door. Also remember to password enable all your tech devices and any tracking software to help you locate them if stolen.
7. Make two copies of all personal identification such as your birth certificate, drivers license, student id, credit cards and passport should these itemsbe stolen or lost. One copy should stay with you at college, and the other at home with your parents.
8. Be cautious of over-friendly people. Remember that trust is an earned privilege , especially when you don’t know a person who you are meeting for the first time. This is also true when sharing personal information on-line via a campus social network. Remember, no matter what social network that you are participating in, anything you post is both “PUBLIC” and “SEARCHABLE” even if your privacy setting are set to high.
9. Heighten awareness at computer labs. The computer labs aren’t the real problem, but rather students who are unaware of computer safety are. These labs are perfect breeding grounds for identity theft especially if a student has not “logged off” a session. We would also recommend that you conduct NO financial transactions (checking bank accounts, paying bills, or even shopping on-line) using a campus computer. Who knows what kind of spyware may be installed. Keep these types of transactions, or the sharing of personal information, to your own private and security enabled laptop or desktop computer.
10. Be aware if a campus relationship is turning sour. Like it or not, campuses make it easy for an ex-partner or boyfriend/girlfriend to criminally harass (stalk) you. Why, because a campus stalker is familiar with their target’s daily routine. Criminal Harassment is illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada, and if this is happening to you let both the police and campus security know; you do not want the situation to get so out of control that something bad happens to you or others.
It is important to remember that although colleges and universities have their safety challenges, they are generally safer than being off campus. Because campuses are safer, it can cause a dis-inhibition effect resulting in a student to lower their guard. Awareness and personal vigilance are very important keystones when it comes to campus safety and security. Remember, there is a difference between being “prepared” and being “paranoid” when it comes to personal safety. Don’t be paranoid and enjoy all the positive things that college and university have to offer, but also be aware and prepared when it comes to your personal safety and well-being.
Darren
The Urban Sheepdog
PS: Hey parents you want to send your child off to University or College with a gift of safety, consider giving them our book, Total Awareness.
