Coed Safety Tips

Campus Coed Safety Tips

The Justice Department and CDC reports that 90 percent of rapes happen between people who know one another and that about 50% of rapes happen on dates. Usually referred to as "date rape" or "acquaintance rape."

Sexual assault and rape are never the victim's fault and there are some things coeds and women can do to lessen the opportunity of an attack.

Coed Safety Tips I

• Take some time to get to know your acquaintence or date. Don't spend time alone in a dorm room with someone that makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Follow your instincts and and intuition. Get out of or away from any situation where you feel uncomfortable.
• Stay with your group of friends.
• Avoid high-risk areas such as unlit parking lots, dark walkways especially between buildings and deserted areas.
• Don't drink too much in unfamaliar territory or groups. According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, more than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 have been victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
• Keep an eye open for possible use of “date rape drugs” such as Rohypnol. Rohypnol is illegal in the United States, but is available on the web. It is usually put into a drink. The drug causes drowsiness, dizziness and memory loss, and a loss of coordination. Don't accept drinks from people you don't know. If you didn't see the drink being poured or made, don't take chances. And, don’t leave your drink unattended.
• Tell someone you trust your date’s name, destination and planned time of return and write it down on a notepad and put it next to a phone or where you usually leave notes that someone will see it.
• Take your cell phone and enough money for taxi fare.

Coed Safety Tips II

While you are strolling around the campus:

• Check out the campus after dark; are buildings, quadrangles, walkways and parking lots adequately lighted and patrolled?
• If possible, avoid walking alone. Never be the last person to leave.
• Walk with your head up and with a look of confidence. Be alert as to your surroundings. Turn your MP3 player off while so you can hear someone coming up from behind you.
• Stay in lighted areas.
• Keep your hands free while walking after dark, if possible. Keep at least one hand free or keep hold of your personal alarm or pepper spray.
• Have your door keys or key card ready. You want to be able to walk upto the door, unlock it and shut it behind you without hesitation.
• If you are being followed or stalked: activate your personal alarm, have your pepper spray or stun gun ready, head for a group of people, scream, run to an occupied house or store, or wave down a car.

In dorm rooms:

• Windows and doors to your dorm should be equipped with good locks. Dorm room doors should have peepholes, safety chains and deadbolts.
• Don't give out your key and ask your roommate not to loan hers to anyone she trusts absolutely. Don't compromise your safety for a friend or roommate who wants the door left unlocked. Request that locks be replaced when a key is lost or stolen.
• Be careful when allowing strangers into the room.
• Make certain the main entrances to the dorm are well lit. If not, ask campus security to have lights installed.
• Never list your full first name on mailboxes or in phone and student directories. Use you first and middle initial.
• Don't let suspicious activity go unreported to campus security or the local police.

If you are in your car

• Keep your windows rolled-up and the doors locked.
• Park only in well-lit lots and areas, and travel on busy, well-lit streets.
• Don't pickup slight acquaintences or hitchhikers.
• If your car breaksdown use your cell phone to call for assistance and stay in the car. Or, if no cell phone, signal for help by raising the hood or tying a white piece of cloth to the radio antenna or door handle.

Coed Safety Tips III

Be prepared and staying aware of your surroundings and situation are critical to your safety. Potential attackers can be deterred if they know you're carry personal protection devices. Think about getting and carrying self-defense devices such as personal alarms, pepper sprays, and stun guns. Learn how to use your protection devices and commit yourself to using them should situation call for it. A wide selection of products are available for nearly every situation and everyone. Being prepared and conscious of your surroundings and situation increases your safety and peace of mind.

Campus Safety and Security Package