female college student, need safety advice?

Question

I'm a college freshman, and I've heard all the news recently about young women being raped, kidnapped, attacked, etc. I have a job, and I'm worried about walking to my car alone after work and in the parking lot of stores, etc, as well as an campus dangers. A safety course isn't an option for me, any other advice on keeping myself safe?

Answer 1

Keep aware of your surroundings (look behind you)
Park in well lit areas and where people frequent as much as possible
Ask for an escort when possible
Avoid isolated places and rarely traveled streets/alleys
Be mindful of potential weapons that you may have (e.g. keys, pens, pencils, knife, fingernails, mace, handgun, cellphone, etc.)
Listens to your instincts, if you feel afraid then remove yourself from the situation (go inside a building, run to your car)
If you are attacked, fight like hell...aim for the eyes, throat, and groin. Be unrelenting, scratch, bite, spit, punch, kick, etc. Scream and yell. Snap small bones like fingers.

Don't get drunk or impair yourself in any way. I was jumped in college when I was drunk and walking home...got the living snot beat out of me and a concussion.

If you have the time take a self defense course or some type of martial art class that's geared torwards self-defense.

Hopefully, nothing will ever happen...good luck with school.

Answer 2

Sorry, I knew the key answer would come up. That is like an old wives tale. I guess better than nothing, but most women have no idea how a real physical conflict transpires. Think about it, the police can shoot a person and then still end up in a serious hand to hand fight. So poking someone with a key will do nothing.
As for "All the news" it sounds like you may be overstating the crime situation. A few things to do:
1. Take 1 minute and survey area before leaving building area, ie look around.
2. Get an escort, male or female.
3. Carry a whistle.
4. NEVER get into car with an attacker.

Answer 3

Most every answer here is a good one. I can only tell you that when I teach a class on self defense and physical safety I always teach that having keys in your hand and ready to use is the best idea next to being aware of what is going on around you, know where you parked, watch for any strange people near your car or sidewalks where you are going, and trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right or the hair on the back of your neck stands up, trust your instincts and get the hell out of there. The other advice I would give is that you have to be prepared to defend yourself, both mentally and physically. Remember that this attacker is going to hurt you in some way, so train yourself to strike out and attack, scratch, claw, do whatever it takes. And scream, scream like your life depends on it, because it does.
The other ideas are good too, pepper spray, pens or pencils and even a taser where they are legal. Just remember to have these items in your hand prior to walking to where you are going, you won't have time to fumble around in a purse if you are attacked.
Good luck

Answer 4

I used to live by the UM. There was this one girl who lived by me who walked a lot of places. The problem was she wore shoes that made so much noice I could hear her a block away. Don't let yourself be known if possible. Also, if you're walking anywhere and somebody is around and you dont' feel comfortable mumble something like oh, I forgot something and turn around and go the other way till they leave the area or somebody can go with you. Always be looking over your shoulder, no matter how familiar and relaxed you are with the area. If you're able to, park as close as possible to work and if it's dark after work, park where you know it will be well lit after work. If the spots are taken, move your car durring your break or before dark. Have your car door key out and ready before you leave the building and don't sit in your car for any amount of time. Start it and leave right away. If there is a vehicle parked next to it and there is a person or you can't tell if there is anybody in it, get in on the opposite side of your car, even if it's the passenger side. Don't wear head phones and talking on your cell phone dont make you any safer either. Also program your local police station phone number in to your cell cuz 911 calls often go to the state patrol first and then get transferred to your local area. Walk with confidence and keep your chin up. If there are people around you that you're questionable about make eye contact with them so they know that you know they're there. Don't worry about comming off like a *****, like if somebody is approaching you asking for money or directions just give them a loud, no I can't help you. Atleast around here they'll say they need bus money but it's really drug money. Don't show fear. And I'm sure you already know not to go anywhere by yourself if you can help it. I live in a scarey neighborhood now and I've gotta do all this with 3 kids. I've had people who thought they'd sneak up on me but because I keep my eye on everything around me they saw that I saw them, they decided to turn around and go the other way. Keep an eye out and always have a plan.

Answer 5

Carry one of the assault flashlights that the military and police carry. They are very bright, and could blind an attacker. If attacked, don't panic, use the skills learned for where to hit the attacker to do the most damage. That would be the top of the foot, groin, and if you can, the temple area of the head. "I feared for my life so I defended myself", is going a lot farther in court for a woman than it ever will for a man. Keep your car under the parking area lights. Get as loud of a car alarm as you can that can be set off by remote control. If there is an attacker in your car, it will deafen the attacker, and possibly scare the stuffing's out of him as well. Get a friend to go with you, someone that you can trust, that won't leave until they are sure that you are in your car, and safe. Learn basic skills as to what to do if your car breaks down. If a police officer is trying to stop you, go to a well lighted area before stopping. Generally, they will understand, especially so if you slow down, and turn on your flashers. Your safety is their concern as well, and they generally know that you have no idea if the car behind you is truly a police car or not. Never let your car get below a half tank of gas. Keep a cell phone with you at all times. Never completely open your car window for anyone you don't know, not even for a police officer. If in doubt, scream to get attention.

Answer 6

You could also be hit by a truck crossing the street. The news now is national so we hear a lot of cases where it was local before. How common is it if you consider the millions of college students.

As far as safety;
Talk to your female co-workers, most have probably thought about it and have solutions you could follow.

Talk to fellow students and campus security they have also spent a lot of time talking and thinking about safety.

Try to walk with fellow students and coworkers, especially after dark. You should pay attention to where you park. Near bushes and trees where someone could lurk is never good, even in the daytime. Have your keys out when you reach you car, don't be standing there looking in your purse for them.

Don't hesitate to ask someone you trust to walk you to the car. I don't know any man that wouldn't be happy to do this. It like opening a door for a lady.

Answer 7

you can ask another staff member or store security to walk you to your car after work. Often campus police will provide an escort at night or at least be in the immediate area.
Having a mobile phone can help, have a fastdial for 911 , or be on the phone to a friend while walking to/from cars at night .

You need to be careful at all hours though. If your state allows them an emergency siren , and /or pepper spray may give you a feeling of security.

Answer 8

When I was a teenager, I worked a few jobs at the local restaurants & the manager would always have one of the males escort each female out to her car, after dark. It wasn't that the guys were really all that tough. It's just a lot less likely that a girl will get assaulted if there's a guy with her.

Answer 9

I would buy a taser... I bought one and I felt sooo much better. Its non lethal but if someone attacks you, you hit the button and 2 prongs fly out and hit the guy zapping him with electricity for 30 seconds. You drop the gun and run... the company will send you a new gun after the police report. Contact me if you want the website... expect to pay about $350 though.. thats the downside. OH! Another good idea... keep your keys in your hand with the key positioned between your fingers.. most people dont realize the harm those little keys can do.. plus it keeps you alert by not having to dig for your keys. you may also want to buy one of those saftey siren things. Campuses can be scary and I dont blame you for wanting to be safe

Answer 10

Always stay in well lighted areas. While walking to your car have your cell phone in your hand with 911 already dialed and if any dangerous things happen, hit the call button. And if anything was to happen always say I have the cops on the phone. Usually the person will be scared and run away, or in the least they will do less harm. Good luck!