As college students, it’s mostly our first time living in a new town alone. It’s important to understand how critical it is to be aware of one’s surroundings and how to trust your gut once you feel uncomfortable about something. The lack of these tips is extremely dangerous. Many of these unfortunate dangers have taken many female college students’ lives. On Feb. 22, 2024, Laken Riley was found dead on the outskirts of the University of Georgia’s campus. Her friend called campus police because she didn’t hear back from Laken, but it was too late. Jose Antonio Ibarra was charged with felony murder and many other charges for the murder of Laken. According to the police, Ibarra had no motive and didn’t even know who Laken was. “It was a crime of opportunity”. Another story of innocent female students was the tragic story of the University of Idaho murders. Forensics on the case said that the killer, Bryan Kohberger, felt rage against the female victims and how they symbolized that men like him can and cannot get. Throughout the years, crime against female students has risen, so I wanted to give the following tips to female college students to promote being safe.
Don’t travel alone –
Many women love to conquer their fears because of their confidence and their enjoyment of knowing that they can do things, even though others might say that they can’t. For example, spending time by themselves. Women are greater targets than men when they are alone because of the difference in how they defend themselves. Naturally, men are physically stronger than women, so it would be hard for women to defend themselves alone with no help.
Be aware of your surroundings –
It’s crucial to know any signs of potential hazards to make a quick and smart decision about whether that environment is safe for you to be in. Trusting one’s gut and knowing when it’s time to call for assistance can help you get out of hazardous situations in the long run.
Know school security and safety resources –
At JMU, the administration has provided many different resources for students to use if something happens on campus. They have three numbers: one for emergencies, a non-emergency one, and lastly, a campus safety escort number. There are also blue lights, which are outdoor emergency phones around campus, for anyone who might need the help of JMU Police. LiveSafe is an app that allows students to share information, and safety concerns with police and also allows you to share your location with family and friends. Lastly, there is SafeRides, a service on campus that offers free rides to students during the weekend.
Don’t be afraid to call friends/family
Make sure to call your friends or family, if you find yourself in an uncomfortable place. Keep your phone charged and keep everyone up to date on what situation you might find yourself in.
Partying 101 –
Some tips on being safe during a party include: never let your drink out of sight, only drink what you brought or opened yourself, make sure you’re accompanied by people you trust and if not, make sure you do not go too overboard with the drinks. In college, parties are filled with people you don’t know so this is extremely important to know what’s happening around you.
In conclusion, nowadays, being a young woman is a time when people learn a lot from their decisions. No matter how much fun one might be having, it’s important to know how to be safe on our college campuses. Hopefully, these tips will help anyone who might need them one day, and remember, if your gut tells you to remove yourself from a sketchy situation, trust it, and choose your safety before anything.
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