College Campus Safety
Each summer, many families send children off to college, some for the first time. For most college freshmen, if this is not the first time they have been away from home for an extended period of time, it is certainly the first time they have been away from home without adult supervision. Colleges and universities all have various forms of support systems for students, but at the same time, students will have the freedom to make their own day-to-day decisions. Colleges and universities staff Safety Departments – in some state colleges, the Department of Safety is a fully state accredited Police Department – but students must nevertheless act responsibly.
Sexual Assault on Campus
According to The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault Report released in April 2014, one in five college students experience sexual assault during their college career (see http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/preventing-sexual-assault/). Sexual assaults are not limited to rape; also included are assault, physical abuse, and emotional abuse. Students have to be aware that while a university campus is promoted as a safe environment, it’s also an open environment. Follow common sense rules. Don’t walk by yourself late at night. Be aware of your surroundings.
Women have to know their limits where alcohol is involved. The fact is that women are sexually assaulted and raped when they’ve been too drunk to know what is happening. There is a reason why the “buddy” and “designated driver” systems work. Simply stated, if two women go to a party together, each should look out for the other, and one assume the role as designated driver (even if you’re not driving). This way, one of the two will remain sober. Even if you both drink, don’t overdo it. Always hold on to your drink; don’t put it down if you move from the area, and if you do, get a new one. Don’t drink from communal punchbowls.
Protection from Theft on Campus
Safety on a college campus is not limited to the above scenarios. College dorms promote an open and friendly life style, which is exactly what dishonest people rely upon in order to take advantage of a situation. Guard your property, especially money, and laptops, textbooks, and
iPads. It doesn’t take very long to walk away with someone’s property. Lock your door when you’re not in your room. Be aware of who lives on your floor, and in your dorm, so that if you see someone who isn’t supposed to be there, you’ll know to be wary.
Contact Us
The White Plains injury attorneys at Worby Vecchio Edelman practice exclusively in the field of Plaintiff’s personal injury – we only represent injured parties and their families. Given our knowledge of the field, it is part of our service to our clients and our community to suggest methods to lessen the chance of injury. Part of that is pointing out safety issues, and offering advice to avoid injury in the first place. Obviously, accidents and injuries can occur to anyone, and at any time, even when you are acting in a safe manner. Contact us if you believe you or a loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. We’ll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and let you know our opinion as to whether you have a case. We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions, even if it turns out that you don’t have a case. The consultation is always free, and we work on contingency, so you only pay us if we recover money on your case.
