Going to college can be an exciting time in the life of a young adult. However, college women tend to be at higher risk of sexual assault than the general population. No matter how effective and well-trained campus police are, they cannot be everywhere and protect everyone. Ultimately, people must be responsible for their own safety and security. Before leaving to attend college, make sure you have a safety plan in place to reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
A good security plan will involve the following:
- Identify high-risk situations and threats
- Avoidance of those threats
- Identify possible weaknesses in the bedroom or apartment.
- Identify possible attack scenarios and practice what to do
- Carry a personal defense item like pepper spray or a stun gun.
- Learn and practice self defense.
- Conditioning of consciousness
Once you have reviewed each of these, point by point, it is important that you put it in writing and go back and review each one from time to time. The following is a breakdown of each;
Identify high-risk situations and threats
Take a walk around campus and look for places that may be attractive to a potential attacker; remote areas of campus, heavy bushes or shrubs to hide in, unlit or very dark areas, etc.
Remote areas away from the campus security office are a red flag. Areas where few people frequent should be avoided at night. Be careful when approaching thick bushes, wooded areas, large doors, alleys, or any other place where an attacker might hide. Always park your car as close to the bedroom or classroom as possible. Avoid parking near fences, garbage cans, large trucks, or other places where someone may hide. Most attackers prefer cover in the dark, so don’t increase your risk by walking through areas that are poorly lit or completely dark. Refrain from jogging or other outdoor exercise at night.
It’s also a good idea to really get acquainted with the layout of the campus. Know where campus security is and the most direct route to get from any building on campus. Know which campus buildings are safe in case they follow you. This is important because some buildings can be sparsely populated at certain times of the day, so seeking shelter there might not be the best idea. Other buildings may have more people around and therefore would be a great place to retreat if necessary. The campus security phone number, as well as the local police, must be programmed into a cell phone.
Avoidance of those threats
It goes without saying that high-risk areas should be avoided, but that’s not always possible. If traveling in a high-risk area is necessary, it is always safer to walk with a friend or in a group.
If no one is available to walk with you, obtain an escort from the campus police. If it is not possible to have a companion or a friend, then a greater sense of caution is required. Walk fast and with a sense of purpose and confidence. Focus on the surroundings, from possible hiding places to nearby people. Don’t use an iPod or talk on the phone, attackers love distracted victims. Ninety percent of women say they never saw their attacker coming, so keep an eye out for everything that happens around you at all times. Walk around with your keys and pepper spray in hand; you may not have time to check your bag once something happens.
Beware of suspicious-looking people. Sometimes easier said than done. Potential attackers and muggers don’t always look good. However, there are a few warning signs to watch out for. Be tired of people who don’t seem to belong. Someone who seems too old to be a student, or someone on campus who doesn’t carry a backpack are people to watch out for. Another warning sign is someone wearing a hoodie on a hot day. A hoodie is a great way for an attacker to protect his face.
Sometimes a person who is about to commit a crime will look nervous or have “furtive eyes.” At other times, you may not be able to point out anything specific to justify your apprehension, other than intuition or a “bad feeling.” There is no need to be paranoid and treat everyone as a threat, but being aware of potential problems and then avoiding them will go a long way in keeping you safe. Trust your gut, if someone makes you uncomfortable, don’t ignore your gut. There is no punishment for being wrong and judging someone too harshly, but the consequences of underestimating a threat and being unprepared can be deadly.
Identify possible weaknesses in the bedroom or apartment.
Walk around your apartment and look for possible entry points for an attacker to use. Even if you live upstairs, a burglar could use a ladder to get in, so secure all second-floor windows. All doors must be secured with a quality deadbolt and have a peephole. Many people use a chain latch to partially open the door and see who is at the door. This is a bad idea, as any seasoned thief knows; if they throw their weight against the door, they can break the door. Door chains are based on small screws and are too flimsy to provide protection. Installing a peephole is the best way to do it.
Another effective method of adding additional protection is a product called OnGard. It is a door clamp that has a plate that bolts to the floor. After the door is closed, a metal clamp is inserted into the plate, which prevents the door from being kicked out. There are other door braces that work in a similar way and are very effective. However, these products have their limitations; The plate must be inserted into the clamp from inside the house, which means it can only be used while you are at home. It is not meant to be used while you are away.
All windows must have secure locks and be reinforced with a metal or wooden rod to prevent access from the outside. An alarm system is also a good idea. There are many good alarms on the market that are relatively inexpensive; silent alarms, motion detection alarms, barking dog alarms, door and window alarms.
Lastly, never leave bedroom doors wide open while at home. This is easily accessible to one and all. If you are expecting a visitor, let them knock or call first.
Identify possible attack scenarios and practice what to do
It’s a good idea to rehearse and practice an attack situation. While it is impossible to simulate or even anticipate all potential scenarios, it is a good idea to be prepared for the most likely circumstances. For example, likely attack situations will occur in one of several locations; the dorm, walk from dorm to class or vice versa, walk to or from your car. Think about what you will do in each situation if you feel threatened. Take a dry run on your busiest road and look for escape routes. What will you do if they follow you? How close is the nearest campus security office? Can you run that far? Do you have your pepper spray ready, on hand if you need it? By thinking this ahead and practicing a dry run, you’ll be prepared and less likely to freeze up when something happens.
Carry a personal defense item like pepper spray or a stun gun.
Having some kind of personal defense item is an absolute must for a college student living far from home, especially women. However, wearing it is not enough; you should hold it in your hands while walking through previously identified risk areas. Most victims say they never say the attacker is coming. If this is the case, you probably won’t have time to go through your purse or backpack for your pepper spray. Store it on a keychain with your keys or carry it in your hand, ready to go.
Learn and practice self defense.
Carrying pepper spray, mace, or a stun gun is a good idea, but don’t let it give you a false sense of security. Anything can go wrong; pepper spray does not disperse due to malfunction, misses its target completely or loses grip and falls to the ground. It’s a good idea to take a class and learn some defensive fighting moves just in case. Learn to target vulnerable areas like the throat, eyes, shins, knees, groin, and tops of feet. The groin is obviously the most sensitive part of a man’s body, so it is likely to protect it and be ready to defend against potential blows. This will leave other areas vulnerable. Also, remember that if you have some type of defensive weapon in hand, such as a stun gun, kubotan, or improvised weapon, an attacker is likely to focus on that weapon leaving the groin unprotected. It’s best to take some self-defense classes to better prepare yourself, in case you have to defend yourself.
Conditioning of consciousness
Awareness is the foundation of any good personal safety plan. Most attacks can be prevented simply by being aware of your surroundings and aware of what is going on around you. An attacker will target someone they think will be an easy target. This includes anyone who appears weak and weak, as well as people who are distracted and inattentive. An attacker relies on the element of surprise and will generally refrain from attacking people who appear confident and aware.
Avoid talking or texting on the cell phone while walking through a parking lot, especially at night. Avoid walking with your head down, walk with a sense of purpose and confidence. Always be aware of the people around you and never turn your back on bystanders while loading or unloading your vehicle. Do not allow anyone to sneak up on you.
If you feel like someone is following you, don’t be afraid to turn around and look directly at them, make eye contact, and say “I’m going to call the police if you don’t stop following me!” or something similar. This may seem quite daring to some people, but this is exactly what a potential attacker fears the most; Someone bold that could give you trouble. Carrying your keys and pepper spray in hand as you walk to your destination is a good idea.
Following these 7 steps will help you dramatically reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Ultimately, you cannot control the outside world and its effect on you. However, you can control how you project yourself, your behavior, your preparation, your conscience, and the decisions you make. Be vigilant, be smart, and don’t be a victim.