supporting students
feeling safe in the university community
we know that feeling safe in your university community can be difficult after being subjected to trauma. you are not responsible for protecting yourself against sexual violence & abuse. the suggestions below are purely there to support with feelings of safety. the responsibility remains with the perpetrator, always.
you deserve to feel safe
things that could support feelings of safety:
stick together: you could walk with other people to and from university
keep friends informed: you could make sure that your friends are aware of your whereabouts if you are comfortable sharing that with them
emergency contacts: you could add emergency contacts to your phone and learn how to activate these
staying in the light: when walking alone at night, you could avoid streets which are not well lit
familiarise yourself: you could make yourself familiar with the area, this may be when you first move to the university
you could check if your university has community wardens: these may be from your student union and can help you to feel safe
personal security alarm
you could carry a personal security alarm.
check out the GINA resource on using a personal security alarm here