Legislative Update: October 8, 2014

 

Safety on college campuses
A couple weeks ago as I was saying goodbye to my 17-year-old daughter heading off for her first year of college at St. Cloud State University, we talked about how she can stay safe on campus.
This is a conversation that many parents have each fall with their children. Safety is no longer something we can take for granted at college campuses. A recent study by the U.S. Justice and Education Departments found that between 2001 and 2011 sexual assault reports increased 52%.
This trend is frightening and cannot be allowed to continue. As a female Republican legislator, I am committed to doing what I can to help all students, but especially young women, not become victims of violence.
I would like to share some of the advice I gave my daughter plus a few more tips for those living on campus, in the hopes that it will help students stay safe this school year.
• At home: Make sure your dorm room and residence hall doors are always locked. Don’t let anyone you don’t know into your hall. Tell your resident advisor about anything suspicious you see.
• Out and about at night: Be alert. Never walk alone at night. If you are not with friends, call your campus safety officers to escort you home. Be aware of the consequences of drinking and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know well. And always go home with your friends; don’t trust that people you just met will look out for you.
• Be a good friend: When you are out with a friend, be aware of your friend’s safety as well as your own. Make sure you leave a party or event with everyone you came with. Don’t leave a friend behind with people you just met. If you are dropping someone off at home, make sure they enter their home safely before leaving.
• Online safety: Protecting your personal information is also very important. If you are studying in a public place, don’t leave valuables like your computer or phone behind should you step away for a minute. Always lock your computer screen when you leave. And avoid posting too much information on social media about yourself or your location. It isn’t safe for strangers in the online world to know where you are throughout the day.
And finally, use your gifts of common sense and your gut instinct. If you have a feeling that a situation is uncomfortable, pay attention and get out of the situation. It just isn’t worth the risk.
I hope all students have a safe, fun and rewarding college experience this year.
 

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