For the roughly 72 million students enrolled in U.S. schools and colleges, campus violence is a legitimate worry. And if you're a college student or college-age adult, you're at particularly high risk of being sexually assaulted—likely by someone you know.

At RAINN, we're fighting alongside survivors and advocates to cultivate safe college campuses that are free from sexual violence.

In the meantime, you can take action to keep yourself—and your community—safe on campus. Here, we'll take a look at:

• Campus Sexual Violence Statistics
• 10 Campus Safety Strategies
• Getting Help and Supporting Survivors

Campus Sexual Violence Statistics

• 13% of all graduate and undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.²
• Among graduate and professional students, 9.7% of women and 2.5% of men experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.²
• Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of women and 6.8% of men experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.²

SEE MORE STATISTICS

10 Campus Safety Strategies 

As with most things in life, safety can't be guaranteed—sexual violence can happen to anyone. But there are a few things you can do to help reduce your risk for many different types of crimes, including sexual violence:

1. Trust Your Intuition

If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any situation—even if you aren't sure why—trust your instincts and leave. Don’t worry about what anyone else may think. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. 

Practice listening to and acting on your intuition; soon it will feel second nature to stand up for your needs and prioritize your safety.

2. Be Greedy with Your Trust

Walking onto a college campus can feel freeing and empowering! It can also foster a false sense of security. Remember: You just met these people. Stay alert for red flags, and don't apologize for your boundaries, values, or preferences.

3. Lie Like You Mean It

Lying is poor practice, in general, but if it's the only way to get out of a potentially unsafe situation, lie away! 

Also, remember that "no" is a complete sentence. If someone is pressuring you, don't hesitate to use your "NO" as the sole justification for leaving the situation. The kind of person who ignores a "NO" is the kind of person you should steer clear of.

HOW TO HANDLE SOMEONE WHO'S PRESSURING YOU

4. Keep Your Friends Close

Groups naturally deter predators, whether you're a zebra in the grasslands or a student in a college town. If someone seems intent on separating you (or a friend) from the group, take notice. Especially be alert to friends who seem overly intoxicated; they may not be equipped to make safe decisions. If you think a friend has been drugged or needs medical attention for any reason, call 911.

LEARN ABOUT DRUG-FACILITATED SEXUAL ASSAULT

5. Stay Connected

Someone should always know where you are, when to expect you back, and how to reach you, if necessary. Start by keeping your phone charged, and consider carrying a charger or backup battery with you if your phone never seems to survive the night. Also leverage apps like FindMy, Snapchat, and Uber to automatically share your location with select friends or family.

6. Take Control of Your Online Life

If you wouldn’t give information to a stranger, don't put it online, either. Many predators can track your online life like breadcrumbs, figuring out where you live, work, and play. You can't stop creeps from creeping, but you can limit the information they can access. The simplest steps include making your accounts private and removing personal details like your last name and hometown.

7. If You See Something, Say Something—Seriously

When you encounter a questionable situation, intervene. Taking action can mean the difference between someone getting hurt or being helped.

Some situations can be resolved by assertively and calmly asking, "What's happening?" or "Do you need help?" Of course, if your intuition is telling you not to draw attention to yourself, you can always contact your resident assistant or campus police or call 911. 

BE AN ACTIVE BYSTANDER

8. Party Smart

A predator will seek out and exploit any vulnerability they think will give them the upper hand. Perpetrators target people who are kind and trusting; they seek out people who are too distracted to notice a red flag; and they frequently look to victimize people who are physically or cognitively impaired. Where do they find these unsuspecting victims? Anywhere college-age adults go to have fun.

• Guard your drinks and food at parties
• Avoid open containers and unknown substances 
• Keep track of what you’ve consumed so you can stay in control
• Have a plan to get home safely with a sober friend, cab, or rideshare

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALCOHOL SAFETY

9. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Whether you are hanging out at a party or walking across campus, pay attention to what's going on around you. Try to take well-trafficked routes and avoid being isolated with someone you don’t know well and trust.

On a college campus, don't hesitate to use the emergency blue light boxes to call for help. Many campuses will even provide you with a public safety escort after dark.

10. Stay Secure

The simplest safety protocols are often the most effective, like locking your doors and windows, keeping your porch lights turned on, and not hiding your spare key under a totally obvious fake rock by the front door. If people constantly prop open the main door to your dorm building or apartment, tell security.

Getting Help and Supporting Survivors

Statistics indicate that you or someone you know will likely be impacted by sexual violence during your lifetime.

If someone discloses to you that they've been assaulted, here's how to TALK to them:

• Thank them for telling you
• Ask how you can help
• Listen without judgment
• Keep supporting them

Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, the most important truth to remember is this:

 

 

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Sources

_{2. David Cantor, Bonnie Fisher, Susan Chibnall, Reanna Townsend, et. al. Association of American Universities (AAU), Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct (January 17, 2020). ("Victim services agency” is defined in this study as a “public or privately funded organization that provides victims with support and services to aid their recovery, offer protection, guide them through the criminal justice process, and assist with obtaining restitution.” RAINN presents this data for educational purposes only, and strongly recommends using the citations to review any and all sources for more information and detail.)}