Safety 101: How to avoid being a victim

By Lacey Korevec

“Female. Small build. Carrying a lot of things. Kind of confused or distracted looking.” These are the characteristics that first come to mind when senior Jennifer Cole thinks of what a typical assault victim would look like.

The truth is that anybody can be a victim, according to Public Safety Director Vickie Weaver.

On or off campus, members of the Rider community face a dangerous world. Still, there are several ways to decrease your chances of being victimized.

Personal instinct is one of the most important weapons a person can use against predators, said Weaver. Going with your gut can often deter danger.

“A lot of times, we get that sense that something’s not right. Studies show that oftentimes that is the case — it’s not right,” she said. “It’s that inner feeling that tells you this is not a safe place to be. If you feel that, there’s a pretty good probability the situation isn’t right,sodon’t try to dismiss that feeling.”

Easy target victims are usually people who walk with their heads down or look like they are not aware of their surroundings, she said. To an assaulter, someone who “looks vulnerable” most likely is.

“Maximize your assertiveness and your confidence,” she said. “If you’re walking around like you’re in a fog, not aware of what’s going on around you, you’re not fully aware of who’s approaching you and what’s surrounding you.”

Students whose ears are flooded with music from iPods and Discmans as they walk are denying themselves their sense of sound, which can be used to steer clear of unsafe situations.

“Make sure you can hear out of one ear at least,” she said. “You don’t want to block your senses to the point where [your awareness] becomes significantly
compromised.”

According to statistics, men are actually more likely to be robbed than women because they typically carry more cash on them, said Weaver.

“Women carry the checks and credit cards,” she said. “There are some men who feel that they’re tough enough that they would never become victims of crimes. Something to keep in mind is that studies show that more men are victims of muggings than women.”
There have been cases in which criminals have hidden under cars and attacked drivers as they approach their vehicles, according to Weaver.

“Especially during the holiday season, you have your arms loaded, full of packages so you’re not fully aware of your surroundings,” she said. “One thing crime prevention folks tell people is to look at things as you’re approaching them. As you’re walking into the parking lot, look around your car, look under your car. If something looks unusual, if someone is hanging around your car, don’t approach the person. Go to the nearest safe place and notify the police.”

A driver who is approaching his or her vehicle should always have keys in hand to help avoid dangerous situations, Weaver explained.

“A lot of times, we have that key ring and we put it into our book bag or in our purse and that heavy key ring drops to the bottom. Now, we’ve got to fumble around when we get to the door,” she said. “We’re focusing on trying to find that key and we totally lose focus of our surroundings.”

The main goal in any criminal confrontation should be “avoidance,” according to Weaver. Physical defense should be a last resort.

“If you have an opportunity to leave that situation, that’s the smarter thing to do,” she said. “Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re confronting one on one.”

While taking self-defense or kick boxing classes are helpful, they do not always convey the safest message, said Weaver, who has taken similar courses herself.

“From a physical standpoint, I think it’s great,” she said. “I don’t want some folks to think, ‘Now that I’ve taken this, I can conquer the world and I can take on anything.’”

For those with no choice but to fight, almost anything can be used as an emergency weapon, she said.

“If you ever had to use the key, as a means of escaping, you could. You could use it as a way of striking someone to get yourself away,” she said. “You can use an umbrella — any kind of sharp object if you have to.”

Popular travel-size safety weapons are worth buying but only if the victim knows how to use them. If they are not affective on the first try, they can make the situation worse, Weaver said.

“Any time you take something to use as protection, always remember it can be used against you,” she said. “People sometimes buy pepper spray to put on their key rings but don’t know how to spray it.”

Weaver stressed that Rider’s campuses are generally safe, but students should still keep safety in mind, whether trekking back from class or walking through an empty mall parking lot.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re walking at home or anywhere, try not to walk alone,” she said. “It’s also important that wherever you’re going, on campus or off, you let somebody know where you’re going and what time you plan on coming back.”

For anyone who commutes, there are specific measures, like knowing alternate ways of getting home, that can be taken for added safety, she said.

“If you’re already familiar with an alternate route that can help you out — that way you’re not stranded on a highway, you’re not taking back roads and getting lost along the way,” she said. “When you get into your car — first thing you do — lock the door. If somebody is following you, don’t stop the car and confront the person. Go to the nearest police station.”

At any time a driver could be put in a threatening spot, she said. Each vehicle should be in good condition so the driver can make a quick get-away if need be.

“A victim could be anybody at any time,” she said. “Make sure your car is in good repair and you’re not running on fumes for gas.”

Weaver is thinking about installing a campus program called Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), which is already in use at other schools including Princeton University and Rutgers University. According to her, RAD is a “structured safety curriculum” that focuses on hands-on defense and avoiding encounters.

“Right now I’m exploring the possibility of introducing it to Rider, but I’m looking for ways to determine student interest.

“There’s still more good out there than bad. It’s important to remember, however, that each of us has an obligation to take care of ourselves.”