How to Stay Safe on Campus

Following the death of the Stellenbosch student, Hannah Cornelius, parents are fearing for the lives of their children. Action needs to be taken to stop the flow of violence and crime that is growing in the Stellenbosch area!

The Stellenbosch University claims that they are doing what they can to increase security and ensure the safety of all the students.

However, there are steps that students can take to reduce the risk of crime, including sexual violence…

Know your emergency support. Before an attack happens you need to be ready for anything, which means having resources to contact. Join a WhatsApp group or form your own, download the PatrolMan app and use the SOS emergency button, plan where you will go if you are ever attacked and know where the local police station is located.

Be alert. Always be aware of your surroundings when you are walking around on campus or in the area, especially at night. It is best to always walk with a friend or in a group, if that is not possible find campus security and ask them for an escort to your destination.

Avoid posting your location. You never know who is looking at your social media posts, so be careful about posting your location publically. It is best to just disable it and make sure all your other social media privacy settings are reviewed.

Trust must be earned. It is so easy to naively trust someone because they’re in the same class or university as you. Don’t be fooled! Make the people you meet earn your trust first before you rely on them for everything.

Always have an alternative plan. What happens when you get into a dangerous situation and you don’t have your phone on you? Or you have your handbag stolen and you can’t get home? Always have a plan B – Memorize emergency numbers, keep spare cash in your pocket, etc.

Be safe. Whenever you leave your room or go to sleep, always lock your doors as well as your windows. If you are feeling uneasy, tell the security on campus or alert an authority figure.

There is never any guarantee that you will be completely safe, no matter how many steps you take. However it is important to know them and practice them to reduce the overall risk and hopefully everyone on campus will join in.