As someone who identifies as a woman in today’s society, it’s hard to do so many basic everyday things without feeling unsafe. Going to the gym without getting cat-called. Wearing makeup because it makes you feel pretty. Simply just walking to your car at night. Many of these things (alongside many others) can’t be done without fear or hesitation.
As a college girl, it’s even harder. Worrying about what you’re wearing or how late you’re out until because you don’t want to be known as the girl who “was asking for it.” We as women have to constantly be vigilant about who we’re with and where we are at all times.
Recently in my college town, Bloomington-Normal, there have been several safety concerns made by women regarding sex trafficking and kidnappings. None of these concerns have been fully investigated by police nor have they been addressed by the University. By this, I mean neither agency has made it clear to the women with these concerns that they are taking this completely seriously. Yet again, we’ve been pushed under the rug.
With all these concerns, and the overall lack of support that the female body on campus feels from not only the University but the local police department, it’s time to take measures into our own hands.
Being safe on and off of a college campus is extremely important. I want to share with you a few ways in which I personally am safe, and that I believe could help you too.
- Walk in groups
For obvious reasons and especially at night, you should always walk in a group if at all possible.
- Carry something you can defend yourself with
Whether this item is pepper spray or a taser, it’s very important that you feel safe if you have to walk alone. Having these things on your keyring where they are easily accessible to you can make not only you but also the people around you feel safe.
- Share your location
I personally have my location shared with basically all my friends on campus and even some back home. I always make sure my phone is on me no matter where I am so that my friends know where I am.
- Set up emergency contacts
I personally have an iPhone so if you have an Android, look up how to do this ASAP. On an iPhone, you simply go to the Health app and add emergency contacts. This means that if you rapidly click the power button 5 times, your phone will automatically call the police. Once this call is ended, your phone will automatically alert your emergency contacts and send them your current location.
These are just a few simple things that I do in my everyday life to make sure that I am as safe as I can be. Unfortunately, these things are not enough for some women.
It’s heartbreaking to know that I go to school somewhere that does not fully acknowledge how scary it is to be a woman. Walking to my car after my night classes terrifies me every time I have to do it, and honestly, I shouldn’t have to feel that way on my own campus. One that I’ve called home for the past four years of my life.
I should be able to trust that my university and local police will do everything in their power to make not only me but 57 percent of the student body feel safe. In the meantime, I can only work to protect myself.