9:37 p.m. Tuesday. I am walking from my car to my residence hall, less than a quarter of a mile. The sidewalks are well-lit, but it is already dark in mid-September. I clutch my keys between my knuckles. There are several students walking on both sides of the street, yet I still feel like I have to be on-guard at all times. Anyone would, after the latest crime bulletin which always arrives hours after the fact via an email account few students check. Last night’s email recounted a strong-arm robbery with one female victim and three female assailants. I shiver at the thought of such an altercation; I can only pray that I could muster some strength for self-defense if I ever found myself in such a situation.
Violence on college campuses is at an all-time high. Despite safety precautions taken by universities to protect students, especially those that have to commute to and from campus alone at night, instances, both reported and undocumented, continue to occur to both men and women. In general, 1 in 5 women will be a victim of sexual assault on their college campus. That is to say, more than 20% of the more than 12 million women expected to attend college this year will be a victim of sexual assault. Furthermore, the 2014 Presidential Task force estimates that more than 10,000 college students will experience aggravated assault or robbery each year on college campuses. September and October, in particular, are highlighted by law enforcement and recognized as the most dangerous time for students on college campuses. These two months have the highest amount of injuries, accidents, and deaths than any other time of the year. During these crucial first two months of school, it is essential for students to be extra cautious as they take night classes or while learning the campus layout, especially for new students who may be less familiar with campus safety resources.
Recently, I have had the pleasure of working with and using the products of SABRE, the leading provider of personal safety tools worldwide. SABRE is trusted as the #1 choice of law enforcement professionals and recommended by campus safety officers at my home university. SABRE has a mission to educate and advocate for the personal safety of college-aged students by empowering them to take control of their own personal security. Additionally, the company wants to help college students to be free to enjoy and maximize their experience on campus by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to be informed. I have utilized SABRE Pepper Gel, in addition to the dorm alarm system, to help protect myself in the event I encounter a violent situation on campus. These products, shown below, are incredibly affordable and are specifically designed for collegiate women for their ease of use and effectiveness.
Not only does SABRE design products for campus safety, the company has created a College Safety Program that brings representatives from the company to YOUR campus to talk about personal safety during college. Use the following link to find out more information on how to bring a SABRE program manager to campus for an engaging personal safety education presentation: www.sabrered.com/collegetours.
SABRE is helping women “be prepared, not scared” on their college campus this year, as are numerous other campus organizations working to combat increased violence, robbery, and sexual assault of students. Being mindful of the times you choose to walk alone on campus, events you choose to attend at night, and considering options offered for student safety by your university are all steps students can take to avoid becoming a victim of campus crime. SABRE products offer an additional sense of support for intelligent students who make wise safety decisions, yet are still at risk of victimization.
Be sure to follow SABRE on their various social media accounts for up-to-date product information and additional college safety tips:
Facebook: SABRE-Security Equipment Corporation
Twitter: @SabreRed
Instagram: @SabreSafety
