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For thousands of young adults, college is about to begin for the new school year. Many students live on campus, while others prefer to commute and stay elsewhere. No matter where they live, though, anyone on a college campus can become at risk for violence or harmful acts.
If you’ve been falsely accused of a crime while on campus, contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of Jed Silverman right away. Our lawyers will fight for you and work with you for the best possible outcome.
Tips For Staying Safe On Campus
Learn More about Campus Safety or Security
Most college campuses have a form of campus security or a campus safety office that you can go to if a problem would arise. Make sure to learn where this office is located and put in your phone the number for campus security. It’s a lot easier to have the phone number already programmed into your phone than to try and look it up after an incident.
Lock Doors
This doesn’t just include your room — if you have a car on campus, it’s important to keep that locked at all times too. Similarly, if your dorm has a secured entrance and you’ve noticed people aren’t locking the door or closing the door fully all the time, make a change now. This not only helps keep you safe inside your building but others in your building as well.
Never Be Alone
Especially if it’s at night and you’re outside, it’s best to walk with a friend or two compared to walking on campus by yourself. Walking in groups makes you more intimidating to someone who would potentially harm you compared to you walking alone. Additionally, if you need a carshare ride, consider having a friend or two tag along with you. Not only can you feel more comfortable getting out of your normal space, but the fare for the ride could be cheaper too if you split the bill with friends.
Communicate Your Plans to Others
If you’re going to go out at night, make sure your roommate or a friend knows where you’re going. Should the worst happen, it’s easier for law enforcement to find you by retracing your steps. By letting someone know where you’re going and that you’ve made it home safely, you’re helping eliminate any worry others may have.
Keep Your Phone Charged
It might sound silly, but having a fully charged phone is another way to keep you as safe as possible on campus. If something would happen to you, by having a fully charged phone, you’ll have enough battery to make any calls or send any messages necessary during an emergency. Then, too, make sure your phone is easily accessible. During an emergency, it may be hard to find, so make sure to keep your phone in a place where you can grab it quickly.
Tell a White-Lie If Needed
A white-lie or stretching the truth never hurts anyone when it comes to your safety. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, pretend that you received a text message and remove yourself from the situation. Or tell the person you’re interacting with that you have a curfew and you need to get back home in time, whether that be for a homework assignment or to give your roommate reassurance that everything is OK. No matter how you spin it, telling a white lie to get yourself out of a situation is nothing to be ashamed of.
Trust Your Gut
Going with the sentiment above, if something doesn’t feel right, take a step back and reexamine the situation. If you don’t feel safe, find a way to get out fast before a problem could arise.
While it’s important to stay safe in situations, we understand that sometimes two young adults can find themselves in a situation where they’re not on the same page. If you’re falsely accused of a crime, contact the lawyers at The Law Offices of Jed Silverman right away. With three offices surrounding the Houston area, our attorneys are ready to fight for you. Contact us today at (713) 597-2221.