Statistics indicate that one in five women are raped during their lifetime. Stalking, sexual assault and domestic violence are just some of the threats that especially women on college campuses have to deal with. Unfortunately, some colleges have higher crime rates than others. That’s why it’s important to learn about safety measures, regardless of where you go to school.
September 13th marked the 25th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act that continues to encourage everybody to take a stand against these terrible crimes inflicted against not only women, but also children and men. From adding security guards to banning hard alcohol, a growing number of universities are more focused now than ever on preventing violence against women. But, the best offense is a good defense. If you want to protect yourself from violence, then you need to stay proactive to reduce the risk.
Don’t get too comfortable with your surroundings. Although it’s ok to have daily routines, you still have to remain vigilant. If you’re blasting music in your headphones while walking home after a night class, then you’re not going to even hear if a predator is approaching you. Students attending those schools that have a higher risk of violence should walk in groups, or request an escort from campus security. Some other conventional methods of protection include carrying pepper spray, mace, rape whistles, etc. Plus, never leave your drinks unattended at bars or parties. The number of women that have reported being “roofied” at college parties is staggering. Some warning signs of being drugged include drowsiness, disorientation and confusion.
Some women are turning to more modern and unconventional strategies to enhance their personal safety on campus. There are new gadgets on the market that are showing some promise in deterring violence. Tech companies have introduced wearable products that closely resemble jewelry pieces to help women in distress. For instance, SIREN is a personal safety disguised as an average ring that can emit a sound greater than 110 decibels to distract attackers. There are also smart bracelets designed with voice-assisted alert systems to help victims of violence.
However, there just aren’t any safety measures tradtional or otherwise guaranteed to prevent violence against women. Since some techniques are more effective than others, the best approach to mitigating violence on college campuses might be using a combination of learning self-defense, leveraging wearable products and simply being prepared.