Image by William Mewes, Flickr
Rape, kidnapping, shootings – you’ve heard the news stories of these happening, even on campus. Although rare incidents, they can happen to the least suspecting people. Often, students haven’t taken the proper precautions.
There are steps you can take to increase your safety on campus. Although taking these measures doesn’t mean you’re 100% safe, it will minimize the risk of having anything catastrophic happen to you. Use the following guidelines to safeguard yourself on campus:
- Avoid being on campus late at night. If you can avoid taking night classes, great. Walking around campus at night, especially alone, can be unsafe. You never know who you’re going to run into. Run any errands during the day, and don’t walk to visit your friends on campus alone at night.
- Travel in crowds. Always walk with at least one other person while at school, as this makes you less of a target for crimes. If you are alone and need to travel to on-campus events, campus security can walk you to and from the event.
- If you’re going to a party, make sure you know at least one person there. Going to a party where you don’t know anyone is risky. You’re in a private setting with people who you don’t know whether to trust. Let’s not forget some parties can get out of hand, making them the perfect setting for crime.
- Don’t open the door to strangers if you’re living in residence. Doing so gives him or her easy access to your home. Make use of the peephole in your door, and don’t be afraid to ask who it is before you open the door. Remember to keep the door locked and have an alarm on, if possible.
- Read the news and pay attention to talk about the latest crimes. This way you are not only informed, but you are also able to protect yourself. Campus crime may not always be published or broadcasted, so it’s important to listen to other people’s reports of what’s happening on campus. Even if they’re just rumours, it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra eye out.
Campuses can be breeding grounds for crime. You may worry that you will be a victim, but ease your mind and know there are precautions you can take to prevent yourself from being targeted. Only worry enough to keep yourself safe. Have fun exploring campus!