Common Sense Safety for College Girls

By Jennifer Bales

Everywhere you turn around women are still warned about "Stranger Danger" and for generations, parents have been telling their children not to talk to strangers. It's a valuable piece of advice, although it doesn't paint a complete picture. It may surprise you to find that 80% of sexual assault victims know their attackers.

Year after year, thousands of young women head off to university and college in all parts of the country. They are often unprepared for the dangers that they may lurk there - and it isn't strangers. Being raped or assaulted by someone you know presents a whole new set of problems. For some reason, because it's all happening within a closed group of friends and peers assaulted women are often not taken seriously and even get blamed by their own friends. No one wants to upset the apple cart.

Date and party rape are infrequently reported. Actually, that's a big understatement- about 90% of the time nothing is said about date rape. It's just brushed off as drunken antics at a party or a misunderstanding. This situation occurs thousands of times every year, on every campus across the country.

Heading off to school is supposed to be an exciting and challenging time, but it's also very difficult. Many kids have a hard time adjusting to life away from home. Some withdraw to their rooms and their books and others go a little haywire. It doesn't make them bad- just vulnerable.

These are the six things you need to make sure that your kids understand

The only sure way to prevent a miscarriage of justice is to prevent the crime. When alcohol and young people mix, situations can easily get out of hand. Your judgement goes downhill and so does your perception and then before you see anything coming- you have a mess on your hands.

If a date is making you feel uncomfortable, let them know immediately. Do not let the situation escalate. When your safety is on the line, there is no need to worry about being embarrassed or sparing another persons feelings. Make your feelings clear, and then immediately leave.

It is very easy to be charmed by a perfect guy, especially if you haven't done a lot of dating. But if you start to feel swamped and overwhelmed watch out for the danger signs of a potentially abusive relationship.

It's bound to happen that you'll be out with a one of the girls and she'll have too much to drink. You may not bail out on her when she is vulnerable. Be a true friend. No matter how hard it is for you, leave with her and take her to a safe place.

Never go to parties or drinking alone. Always go with a friend you can trust not to leave you alone if you get too intoxicated.

A college campus is filled with all sorts of people. Your trust is something that must be earned, not given away. Seemingly nice people are capable of doing terrible things. College is supposed to be some of the best years of your life, don't let a bad decision leave a mark on it that could scar you for life.

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