Back to School! Safety information and planning for college students!

School is back in session and settling into college life should include evaluating and maintaining your safety on campus. Schools and colleges are valued institutions that help build upon the nation’s foundations and serve as an arena where the growth and stability of future generations begin. Crime in schools and colleges is therefore one of the most troublesome social problems in the Nation today. Not only does it affect those involved in the criminal incident, but it also hinders societal growth and stability (FBI Report: Crime in Schools and Colleges). In order to be safe on campus, we should all recognize the risks and be proactive. One of the most profound dangers that college students must face is the risk of sexual assault. One in five college students experiences sexual assault during their college career (White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, 2014). So the next step is to educate ourselves on sexual assault, prevention and consent! In addition to awareness on sexual assault, college students should explore the warning signs of problematic intimate partner relationships. This is generally the time students date in casual or serious relationships. Knowing and understanding the red flags of an abusive relationship can be the first step into prevention of being a victim of a persons crime.
To help families engage their students in conversation about being safe on campus, here are a few resources to encourage safety planning:
https://www.universitylanguage.com/guides/safety-on-campus-how-to-stay-safe-at-college/

https://rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention

http://www.loveisrespect.org/pdf/SafetyPlan_College_Students.pdf

Also, if you are confused about what "Consent" is please view this video.
https://vimeo.com/128105683

Safety should always be first!
Don't forget to follow me on twitter ( @victimadvocate1 or just click on my twitter icon) for tweets on resources and information related to crime prevention, safety, health, and family violence. Always advocating....

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