Campus Safety and You

When you’re in college you may approach campus life thinking this environment is safe and away from the world outside and that there will peace and safety for everyone. All too often though, you soon learn that even on college campuses there are predators and rapists there too. That being the case, survival under current circumstances dictates that you must be prepared to protect yourself against them. Campus safety is not only an issue that is applicable to women, but men are affected too. Crimes against men are more under-reported than rape and assault is for women.

Campus safety begins with an awareness of campus crime. If you can avoid risky activities, dark pathways, and other questionable circumstances, then do so. Invite a friend to walk with you to your car if you are out late at night, or else take a cab to your destination. Don’t get into a car with strangers (or drunk persons) or for that matter, even persons that may be familiar to you, but not really known to you. Using your common sense in these situations goes a long way to keep you out of harm's way.

Campus Security is another safe resource to help you to reach your destination safely and you can access them with only a simple cell phone call. Did you know that most colleges offer some form of self-defense classes? These are beneficial so that you can have a better knowledge of methods in which to defend yourself. They also have practice sessions to learn to fight effectively with a hands-on approach. Though you may not have as much experience as an attacker, you will have a better chance to scare the attacker off and get away or to until help comes.

Other aspects of campus safety involve you never letting strangers or acquaintances into your dorm room. It’s not just your personal safety, but theft could be an issue too. Make sure to keep the door to your room closed and locked at all times, even if you’re just heading to the washroom or to visit another room. Even if the building is off-limits to non-residents, there are still ways for criminals to get in.

If you’re on the ground floor of your dormer room, close and lock windows at night. If it’s a hot summer, leave your window open only a few inches, and use the latch or a block of wood to keep it from being pried open enough for someone to enter.

Always go to parties with a roommate or a friend. Purchase a nice thermos, so you can sip your alcoholic beverages. This will make it more difficult for someone to drop a drug in it.

You can also purchase DRINKGUARD, which is a date rape drug detector. Each kit contains 20 test strips that you can tuck into your purse. They’re simple and easy to use. If you’re at a party where there is a lot happening, and you may have turned your back on your drink for a moment, you may wish to test your drink for GHB or Ketamine.

These two drugs are known as the date rape drugs because they have the ability to loosen your inhibitions, and allow someone else to control you. They may also make you feel like you’re paralyzed, while your brain is still awake. The next day you’ll forget the activities of the evening. It’s against the law for someone to give date rape drugs, and the intentions that go with it.

To test your beverage for rape drugs, you simply place a drop from your drink onto the test strip, and let it dry. Once it’s dry, the test will inform you whether your drink contains one of these drugs or if it’s safe to drink.

The test kit costs under $10, and provides an additional form of campus security for you. You can purchase kits from greatwalldefense.com and get FREE SHIPPING.