Date posted: 2-20-01

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Safety measures urged for college students

By Stephanie Christian

DeKalb News Service

DeKALB --With college women nationwide concerned about sexual assault, police urge NIU students to take precautions and dodge unsafe situations.
During 1998 at NIU -- the most recent year from which national figures are available -- there were a reported 17 forcible sex offenses and two nonforcible sex offenses, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/stats/crime/2000/crimeresults.php3). That's the most among Illinois colleges and universities listed in the report, although crime-reporting methods vary widely from school to school and can't be used as the only means to gauge campus crime.
According to Illinois State Police crime statistics, DeKalb County has the third-lowest crime index rate among 10 counties that encompass college campuses.
Sexual assault, especially date rape, occurs on campuses because drinking and drugs are present in many cases, said Sgt. Albert Ekstrom of the University Police. He suggested women should, "Avoid doing anything that puts yourself at risk." Ekstrom said watching your drinks and partying with people you know are precautions to take.
According to a report released by the National Institute of Justice on the U.S. Department of Justice Web site (www.usdoj.gov), 3 percent of college women a year experience a completed or attempted rape. The release noted that nearly 90 percent of the college victims knew their attacker The report said the vast majority of the attacks occurred after 6 p.m. and 60 percent of the attacks happened in living quarters, either residence halls or off-campus housing.
According to a Crime Stoppers pamphlet, women can take steps in preventing acquaintance rape. The brochure indicates women should watch their alcohol consumption rate, not lose the ability to make sensible decisions, always trust their instincts and stay away uncomfortable situations.
"Students being students don't take in consideration their personal safety," Ekstrom said. He said that while women are targets for sexual crimes, safety is an issue that affects everyone. He advises students to be assertive, walk and act confidently, and be conscious of their surroundings.
"At night I never walk alone. I always make sure to walk with a friend," said Christian Hanson, a junior elementary education major.
Students like Hanson feel safe on campus, but use caution to avoid situations that might jeopardize their safety.
"I think the campus is well lit and I always use precaution and never walk alone in dark areas," said Julie Doyle.
Students that do not feel safe on campus may want to purchase mace, a whistle or invest in self-defense classes, Ekstrom said. He added that students who choose these safety measures have to know how to use them, but also must have their devices readily available and feel comfortable enough to use them.
"Anything you use could be used against you if you dropped it or the attacker grabbed it from you," Ekstrom said.
A leaflet on staying safe on campus from Business and Legal Reports suggests taking safeguards when traveling around campus. It warns students to pay attention to their surroundings and walk confidently and with purpose. The brochure also recommends having keys readily available when approaching cars and familiarizing the locations of phones or call boxes to alert security.

SOURCES
1. Bureau of Justice/National Institute of Justice January 26, 2000, news release
2. www.usdoj.gov
3. Sgt. Albert Ekstrom, Administrative Services, University Police
4. Christina Hanson, junior elementary education major
5. Julie Doyle, senior special education major
6. McGruff info sheet on Date Rape-received from University Police
7. "Staying Safe on Campus," Business & Legal Reports
8. "Safety and Security on Campus," NIU leaflet