College Safety Tips
According to the U.S Department of Education, in 2018 there was a total of 37,573 criminal offenses reported by college students, a large majority of these crimes occurred on campus. The most common types of crimes were related to burglary, sexual assault, and aggravated assault.
Although the number of crimes on college campuses has statistically declined over the past decade, there are still thousands of them committed every year. Being a college student away from home puts a mental strain on everyone, including themselves. Family and friends worry for their loved ones from a long distance. Students become overly stressed, anxious, and fearful of what can happen to them.
To prevent crimes on campus, most colleges and universities offer evening ride services so students don’t have to walk alone at night. However, these services are limited to students who either live on campus or to those want to go from building to building within the campus. About 36% of first-year students in public 4 year universities live on campus. That’s a big portion of students, but what about others?
Students who live off-campus are subject to the same crimes of those who live in the dorms. Student safety is a pressing issue to all colleges and universities. This has inspired some schools to offer free self-defense classes at their gym, but most of the time a student’s class and work schedule can prevent them from learning these important lifelong skills. An online self-defense course is the best way to learn these skills at your own pace.
Here are some helpful tips to stay safe on and off campus:
- Never walk alone. If you have to, call/text a friend to walk with you or walk near other groups of people to avoid being singled out.
- Don’t use both earphones. Form a habit of using only one earphone instead of both. This way you’ll still be able to hear and listen to your surroundings.
- Avoid poorly lit areas. Don’t compromise your line of sight by walking in dark areas, you never know who is waiting for you to do so.
- Don’t be afraid to be stern. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, chances are they probably think you’re an easy target. Speak up and tell them to back off with a harsh tone, don’t let them victimize you.
- Always have your phone charged and location on. Keep an external battery on you at all times. Allow your close friends or roommates access to your phone’s location just in case they need to know where you are.
- Keep your belongings hidden. Don’t ever walk with your laptop or tablet in hand, this will surely attract a robbers attention. Always keep them in your backpack and out of sight
- Check your car before you get in. If you drive to school, make sure you always check the inside of your car before you get in. Remember to check your surroundings to make sure no one is watching or waiting for you to get to your car. Lock the doors immediately after you get inside.
- Don’t trust everyone you meet. If a classmate you just met invites you to their apartment or wants to hang out with you alone, be aware of their intentions. Most sexual assault cases are committed by someone the victims knows, be careful who you spend your time with and consider how well you know them.
- Be careful of what you post on social media. Don’t post everything you’re doing on social media, it’s easy for predators to track you, learn about you, and know where you are. Be mindful of who can see your posts and what you post.
Sources:
U.S Department of Education on Campus Safety and Security
Trends in college student housing