Avoiding Attacks

These tips are designed to help you protect yourself on campus, in town, at your home, or while you travel.  These are preventative tips and are designed to instruct you in crime prevention tactics.

1. Go with someone. There's safety in numbers.
2. Stay away from isolated areas. In buildings, avoid stairwells.
3. If you commute by public transportation try and sit near the driver, take an aisle seat, and arrange to have someone meet you at the bus stop and escort you home. Never fall asleep. Stay alert!
4. Stay near streetlights when walking at night. Avoid alleys, parks, and dark parking lots.
5. Protect your valuables. Hold your purse or backpack tightly and close to your body.
6. Don't carry a purse or pack hanging from one shoulder.
7. Don't carry large amounts of cash and carry your wallet in your front pocket not the back one.
8. Protect yourself with the clothing you wear. Clothing does matter because your first response to danger should be to get away. But, you can't run as fast in high heels or tight pants as you can in running shoes or clothing that is not confining.
9. When driving your car, keep your doors locked and windows rolled up and keep your car in good repair.
10. When you use the restroom, go with another person if possible; look carefully in corners before you enter the restroom and in stalls before you use them.