Avoid Becoming A Victim Tips

Alcohol and the College Freshman

Each year, thousands of young men and women leave home for the first time in their lives to attend a college far away from Mom and Dad. This gives them a sense of new found freedom and suddenly, opportunities to party all night and every night become readily available. As the alcohol flows, these young college freshmen put themselves at risk of becoming a victim. There is the potential of dying from alcohol poisoning, but also the possibility of becoming the victim of a crime. Alcohol impedes a person's judgment and ability to think quickly on their feet. In fact, statistics provided at Security on Campus, Inc. show that of all crimes on campus, about 90 percent are related to drugs and alcohol.

To avoid becoming the victim of an alcohol or drug-related crime, don't drink or use drugs. You can easily succumb to peer pressure as you try to make new friends, but it is possible to have fun and be smart about it.

These may seem preachy, but let's face it, with a little common sense you can make it out of college alive, without a criminal record and without becoming a victim.

1. Don't binge drink – alcohol poisoning is a reality and it can kill you.
2. Moderation should be a term you always remember. Have you ever seen a drunk that you really liked? Some people get stupid, while some get mean.
3. Never drink alone. This can be sign of other problems so if you feel the urge to drink alone, you might want to seek counseling or talk to someone about substance abuse.
4. When out at night, especially when your judgment is impaired by alcohol, never walk by yourself. If you walk home by yourself after a party, you make yourself a target for a potential crime.
5. Follow the laws, procedures and policies for your state and college. Underage drinking is a known problem at college campuses. The local police are going to be watching for parties and drunk drivers. If you are drinking illegally or driving drunk, you could be arrested and face jail time, fines and the loss of your license. Consider the consequences before you break the law.
6. Look for alternatives to drinking. You may try getting involved in different student activities at your school.

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Stay Alert for Potential Problems

Paying attention to your surroundings is one of the best ways you can keep out of the grasp of a criminal or avoid other potential problems. If you get caught up in the middle of a crime in progress, don‘t be afraid to scream. Try screaming something besides “help,” such as “my baby” or “fire.” Both are more likely to attract attention. As long as an attacker doesn't have a strong hold on you or isn't using a weapon, run away as fast as you can. Get to the nearest telephone or crowded location and call for help.

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The Bar Scene

The bar scene is a common place to find many college students on a typical weekend night. This can be a great place to meet your friends, enjoy a good band or just hang out. As long as your common sense is in play, it doesn't have to become the beginning of a problem. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid becoming so drunk that you lose consciousness.

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Breaking the law can get you into a lot of trouble. Underage drinking on college campuses is a well-known problem. Not only can you find underaged co-eds drinking at parties, but many try to slip into the local bar with a fake ID or use some other method to gain access. Local police know what to look for so they are constantly watching for trouble. While laws vary based on where you are attending college, a violation can cost you a lot of money and possibly even time in jail.

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Binge Drinking

Alcohol poisoning is a scary reality among college students. Drinking contests, beer bongs or drinking games all encourage a large consumption of alcohol. What seems like a fun time at the start can quickly turn into a serious matter when the party turns fatal. Binge drinking can easily lead to alcohol poisoning. Many young students don't realize the affect that too much alcohol can have on the body. Too much alcohol in the bloodstream can interfere with your body's ability to breathe. Even if it doesn't kill someone, alcohol poisoning can cause serious brain damage. You're in a lot better shape if you don't go overboard and maintain control over the situation.

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Avoid Becoming a Statistic

Too many college students needlessly become the victim of crimes (some violent) each year. Going away to college for the first time can be an exciting time and with a little common sense and preparation, it can also be safe. When you first arrive to campus, get a good sense of the paths and streets that you will be following to get to and from your classes, job or other college events. Identify the location of emergency services, like phones along your route. Also, find out how often security personnel patrol the area along your route. If the area is dark or not well-patrolled, avoid using it. Find an alternate route even if it is longer. A safer path may add a few minutes to your walk, but could keep you from becoming another victim.

Another way to stay safer is to make sure family and friends know where you will be. Share your class schedule with your family, friends and roommate. This way if you are late or don't show up, they know where you should be and can alert the appropriate authorities if a problem occurs.

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Don't Become A Victim

You can avoid becoming a victim by not looking like one. Stand straight and tall while you walk around. Also, move swiftly, like you have a purpose and always have keys out and ready to open your home or car door rather than digging through a purse or pocket. A few other savvy moves: try parking your car under or near a street light and always walk with friends.

Remember that a criminal is looking for an easy target for their next victim. They want someone that they can grab quickly who won't make a lot of noise. So look confident while walking around, not scared. Make a would-be criminal think you are prepared and not an easy target so they can pass you by.

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The Drunk Driver

One of the worst things you can do after drinking is get behind the wheel of a car. Drinking reduces your ability to react and impairs your judgment. Your risk of getting in an accident goes up significantly, which makes you a hazard to yourself and others. Drinking and driving also puts you in a position where you could be arrested for drinking and driving. A DUI is bad for your record and could cause your insurance rates to go up significantly. Some insurers may not be willing to provide you with auto insurance after one DUI. In addition, you may have to pay fines associated with the DUI and possibly spend time in jail. Your best bet is to designate a driver who doesn't drink or take a cab home.

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Drinking And Common Sense

It is common knowledge that parties happen on college campuses, however the consequences are not as well known. Drinking at parties can result in death or other serious injuries. It also plays a factor in assaults or other violent crimes. Something that is not often considered, though, is the long-term impact of alcohol use during the college years. Regular student drinking can lead to problems that develop into alcohol dependency issues.

After a night of drinking, the typical college student usually isn't functioning at a high level. Avoid killing off your brain cells during the college years and use your common sense when it comes to drinking and partying. Know the consequences of your actions. If you are not prepared to deal with them, then don't do what you know isn't right for you.

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Walk With Friends

You may have heard this many times before, but a good way to stay safe is to avoid walking home alone at night. Having friends walk with you or walking with a large group of other students makes you a more difficult target. When someone is walking alone, it is easier for an attacker to grab them without anyone else being aware. Also, make sure you stay in a well lit area and follow a well-traveled path. Taking a short cut can put you right in harm's way.

Some college campuses have their own security or police force. Anytime you feel threatened or are afraid to walk alone, call for assistance. You shouldn't feel embarrassed to call them since that is part of their job. It is also possible that your school supports some type of volunteer program for safety escorts.

Rather than be afraid, empower yourself with the right knowledge and tools. If you know who to call for help and set up a plan so you never walk alone, you will be that much safer on campus.

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