Page 53 - San Diego Woman Anna Adams

5 Must-Know Safety Hacks for Women

In addition to campus resources, students can use the following tips
to increase their personal security:

1 Don’t Go Alone: Use the Buddy 3 Why It Helps: Apps like the SDSU 5 Get Involved with Bystander
Use Personal Safety Apps and Alerts
System
Intervention Programs
Why It Helps: Predators look for iso- Safe App, Noonlight, and bSafe pro- Why It Helps: Learning to recognize
lated prey because they know no one vide quick access to emergency con- dangerous situations and intervene
will be looking for them. Staying with tacts and allow you to share your loca- safely can prevent assaults before they
trusted friends at parties and social tion in real time. occur. Programs offered by SDSU and
events minimizes risks and ensures Pro Tip: Enable push notifications other universities teach students how
mutual protection. Friends can also and set up emergency contacts within to help each other when someone is at
intervene if someone feels uncomfort- the app ahead of time to enhance per- risk.
able or unsafe. sonal safety. Pro Tip: Attend workshops during
Pro Tip: Always plan transportation orientation and throughout the se-
and departure times together to avoid 4 Trust Your Instincts and Have an mester. Being familiar with what to
being isolated in unsafe situations. Exit Plan do builds confidence so you can help
Why It Helps: If a situation feels un- others.
2 Monitor Your Drink and Be Aware comfortable, it probably is. This is By being aware of available campus
Around Alcohol
called Safety Intuition, but women of-
Why It Helps: Alcohol impairs your ten minimize it. Don’t ignore it. Hav- safety resources and planning a strategy,
judgment, especially if you aren’t used ing a pre-planned exit strategy can you can enjoy your college experience and
to it. It hijacks your ‘internal safety help you get out of risky situations reduce their chances of being victimized!
alarm,’ making you more vulnerable. without confrontation. The SDSU Safe
Drink spiking is also a big threat, es- App can let you arrange a fake phone
pecially (but not limited to) at parties. call to help you leave safely.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave drinks unattend- Pro Tip: Use code words with friends
ed, and only get your drink yourself. (or the app’s social escape feature) to
If your drink tastes strange, throw it leave safely without drawing attention
away immediately. to yourself.

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