College can be the happiest place on earth – but it can also be pretty scary. Being on your own for the first time can make you susceptible to things that can make you feel really unsafe.
Do collegiettes feel safe on campus? We asked 9 women if they feel safe – and if not, how they could feel safer.
“I actually feel really safe on campus, even walking around at like 11 at night. I think a lot of can be attributed to how there are usually always people walking around, and that if anything were to happen, I have safety defenses like pepper spray and my keys. But mostly, it’s the fact that I always have campus security on speed dial, and there are always blue lights and welcoming buildings near by to help if there was a problem!”
-Chelsea, Bowling Green State University Class of 2019
“I feel pretty safe on my campus. CNU PD consists of trained officers that can handle practically any situation. I work at the coffee shop on campus, and we close at 1 a.m.. I feel so safe walking back to my dorm on the edge of campus that it always takes me a few seconds to understand why people ask me if I’m okay with walking around that late, and then I remember not everyone is blessed enough to live on a campus as safe as mine. We also consistently enforce our honor code; I can leave my things at my table in the library while I run to the bathroom and know that everything will still be there when I get back.”
-Royall, Christopher Newport University Class of 2018
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“Overall, I do feel pretty safe on campus because GSU police are all over but at the same time, I live in the city so it’s important that I take the steps needed to keep myself safe. I’m personally afraid of becoming a victim to sexual violence because there’s a major issue with that on college campuses. Being a woman it’s important that I don’t put myself in situations where another person can take advantage of me. There were a few instances where some students were robbed on campus throughout the semester so that makes me feel a little on edge when I’m out and about. Fortunately, they’ve increased security in certain locations so that helps. It’s important that the school takes precautions to keep students safe but students also need to be aware of their surroundings and to understand you can’t trust everyone that is nice to you.”
-Ashley, Georgia State University Class of 2017
“For the most part, I do feel safe. However, I wish that the names of students with records of sexual assault were made known so that I could keep an eye out.”
-Shailagh, Gustavus Adolphus College Class of 2018
“I feel extremely safe on my campus. I don’t think that it’s necessarily due to the presence of campus security, but rather the fact that my college fosters a very friendly, open atmosphere. People are unfailingly polite, so I never fear being assaulted or feeling uncomfortable. I don’t love making a long walk to my car at night, but there’s also so much lighting in our parking lots, that I definitely feel safe, and if not I always have my cellphone and there are call boxes that I could use all over campus.”
-Katt, Molloy College Class of 2016
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“Personally, I don’t feel safe on campus. Our campus is completely open for anyone to walk around on it, and there are constantly homeless people walking around the grounds. Since our campus is so open, we get crime alerts every few weeks, and recently, we had an armed person on campus, and they had to shut it down temporarily. This stuff happens all the time, and it’s really frightening because there’s no knowing who or what people are going to do. Our college could do more to have more security roaming the campus at all times. We also have an escort service to walk people home at night, but that takes about 25-30 minutes for them to respond, so they could definitely improve upon that.”
-Janice, San Diego State University Class of 2018
“Our campus is very urban and our buildings don’t really have the best security in them and outside of them. I don’t see a lot of campus security around outside, and most buildings are open to walk right into.”
-Lexie, Point Park University Class of 2016
“Most of the time I feel safe on campus but there are times when I feel scared and anxious to simply walk around, especially alone. Those times are almost exclusively at night and are generally around Frat Row. The reasons are kind of obvious and universal: frat boys. There have been a few reports of women being harassed after walking home from parties, and those always scare me and always make me think ‘what if that was me?’”
-Lulu, UMass Amherst Class of 2019
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“I feel safe during the day. I know that there are constantly people around and if I had an issue I could most likely get help. I am mostly afraid of sexual assault, especially at night. I think there should be more lights around at night and more security. It would also be beneficial for there to be more education for the women on self-defense.”
-Marissa, University of Utah Class of 2018