subject: College Safety For Young Women [print this page] Going off to college can be a wonderful, exciting and maybe a little apprehensive time for young people heading out into the world. It can also be a stressful, sad time for parents who have to let go and trust that their kids will be safe. Although college life is mostly a fun, learning, adventurous time for most students, there is evil lurking in some places, especially for young women who may not be prepared - parties that get out of hand, raging hormones in young men, someone hiding in the bushes along a hiking trail. They aren't what we like to think about but they are realities that should not be ignored.
Rapes and other violent crimes occur on college campuses everywhere. Somewhere on a college campus there is a rape occurring every 21 hours, according to Campus Outreach Services. And the first two months of college is when a rape is the most likely to occur. About 90% of all of these rapes and attempted rapes were carried out by an acquaintance of the victim such as an ex-boyfriend or classmate. The fact that most rapes happen during the first 2 months of college is interesting and upholds my theory that once these young men are released from the regulations and restrictions of home life and are out on their own, their hormones run rampant and they choose to give into their desires regardless of the damage they will do.
Don't get me wrong, though. Not every young man gives in to this lack of better judgment and in fact most young men do make the right choice in controlling their desires or obsessions. But it only takes one person to do the damage, to scar a young woman for life, just for the immediate gratification of his power seeking and desire to control. It's that one person every young woman needs to prepare for and protect herself against. There are several means of defense against the possibility of an assault.
Besides taking self-defense classes, which can be found in most college towns, there are several non-lethal self-defense products a young woman can carry with her wherever she goes. One of the least expensive and having no restrictions is the personal alarm. It's just a small item anyone can carry in their hand, purse, pocket or on a key chain. There are many types of personal alarms, both aerosol and electronic, that emit an ear piercing sound when activated. This will be intrusive enough to cause an assailant to turn tail and run. The last thing they want is attention drawn to what they are about to do.
Pepper spray is another very reasonably priced item to have on hand. Its use may be limited in a few areas, but it is one of the best non-lethal means of incapacitating a potential assailant. Your local law enforcement will be able to tell you if it is legal in your area or in the college town where your daughter is attending. Pepper spray is especially effective within a building where there is no wind blowing, such as a dorm room or hallway. It needs to be sprayed and then run away from, so the mist doesn't also effect the person spraying, which can be a possible problem if used outside. It will definitely bring its recipient to his knees, coughing, choking, unable to see, providing enough time to escape and get help. After the effects wear off within 45 minutes, there will be no permanent damage.
A stun gun is the third option and highly recommended. Again, its legal use needs to be checked out with local authorities. Starting at less than $25, stun guns are not nearly as expensive as you might think. They come in many sizes and shapes and can be an excellent form of defense in close quarters or when assaulted physically where pepper spray would just not be a good option because of the close encounter. When walking after dark or out on a nature trail or even out for a morning jog, having a stun gun in your hand, attached to your belt or somewhere within easy reach will provide a sense of security and confidence.
Spending time away from home on a college campus should be a wonderful learning experience for any young woman. Being a parent, you will want to provide the self-defense tools for your daughter that will allow you to sleep peacefully at night.
by: Karleen Lindsey
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