Crimes Against a Person

Unfortunately, criminals sometimes do not target property but target people instead. Make sure you take these steps to try to prevent these types of crimes from happening to you.

Protecting Yourself Within Your Home

1. Keep your doors locked, even when you are in the residence. Do not allow anyone in until you know who that person is. If the person claims to be dorm maintenance or a utility worker, verify that by asking for identification. People who have legitimate reasons to be there should not balk at this.  Never admit strangers into secured buildings.
2. Do not attach your ID to your keys or mark your keys with your name or address.  If you do this and then loose your keys, the person who finds them will then know where they are going and who lives there.  (if you live on campus and your keys are found, they can still be returned to you without such markings, as each key is coded and the records are kept by the campus locksmith.)
3. If you live off campus and you have an answering machine, don't put your names on your recording. Also, if you and your roommates are female, consider having a male friend leave your outgoing message on your machine.
4. If you are receiving threatening or obscene phone calls, contact Security Services if you live on campus or the local police if you live off campus.
5. If you notice a person attempting to gain entry to your residence or attempting to look into your residence, call Security Services at x6400 if you live on campus or the police at 911 if you live off campus. Be prepared to give a description of the person and to describe where you last saw the person and the direction in which he or she was headed at the time.

Protecting Yourself in Your Car

1. Park in well lit, busy areas. Avoid dark, secluded areas.
2. Always lock your car, even if you are in it at the time.
3. As you approach your car, be aware of other people around. If you see someone loitering near your car, do not go to it; instead, walk to an area where there are other people.
4. Have your car keys ready. Make sure you don't have to stand by your car, fumbling for your keys.
5. Before you enter your car, make sure that no intruder is in the car, waiting for you, by looking in the car, including the backseat, from outside.
6. If you see another motorist stranded on the road, do not stop to help. Drive to the nearest phone and notify the police.
7. Lock all doors when driving your vehicle. Upon parking your vehicle, park in a well lit area, and secure your vehicle.
8. While driving, keep valuables out of sight, not on the seat next to you.
9. Consider getting a cellular phone so that you can call for assistance in an emergency.
10. If you are stranded in your car, do not accept help from anyone. If someone offers help, stay in your car and ask him or her to call the police. Do not accept help from the police unless they are in uniform and driving a marked patrol car.
11. If your car is carjacked, give the carjacker your car. Your life and health are worth more than a car.

Protecting Yourself at Automatic Teller Machines

In recent years ATMs and their users have become a target for thieves. Here are some tips you should know to prevent yourself from becoming a victim at an ATM.

1. If at all possible, avoid using ATMs at night. If you must use one at night, select one with a lot of people around, that is well lighted, and is not in a secluded, low-visibility area.
2. Try to have a friend accompany you when using an ATM.  They can keep a watch on the area while you use the ATM.
3. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
4. Complete your transaction as quickly as possible, and do not flaunt your cash.

Protecting Yourself When You Are Out

1. Don't carry a lot of cash. Women should carry money somewhere other than their purses. Men should carry their wallets in an inside coat pocket or a front pants pocket.
2. Don't be flashy. Expensive clothes and jewelry can make you a target for thieves.
3. Avoid shortcuts through dark, secluded areas. Stay where other people are around. Avoid areas where thieves may be hiding.
4. Do not walk alone. If you jog, do not jog alone.
5. Avoid hats or other items that restrict your vision and earphones that impair your hearing.
6. Walk with confidence. Thieves are more likely to single out those who appear hesitant or unsure of themselves.
7. When walking to your house or car, have your keys ready so you will spend as little time as possible in the open.
8. If you are being harassed, loudly say, "Leave me alone!" If that doesn't stop the harassment, continue to attract people's attention, and head towards a store or another place where other people are around.
9. If you are confronted, give up your valuables. Nothing is as important as your life.
10. Try to stay out of arm's reach of the attacker. Don't let the attacker move you into an alley or car. Your best defense if the attacker persists is to scream and run.
11. Look into self-defense classes. Trinity occasional offers seminars on personal safety and awareness. Other classes may be available throughout the community.

Protecting Yourself Against Sexual Assault

If you are being victimized by a person who is attempting to sexually assault you, take the following steps to stop the assault from progressing. Remember that the goal is survival.

1. Stall for time. Figure out your options. Each situation is different. Decide if you will fight, try to talk your way out of the assault, scream, or, if necessary for your survival, submit.
2. If you fight, hit hard and fast. Target the eyes and groin.
3. Try to dissuade the attacker from continuing. Tell him you have a sexually transmitted disease, tell him you are menstruating, urinate, vomit, or do anything to discourage the attacker.

Protecting Yourself Against Stalking

In recent years, society has become more aware of the dangers of stalking. Stalking is repeated harassment that could or does cause the victim to feel intimidated, threatened, or frightened. While it is difficult to prevent stalking from occurring, you can take steps to prevent it from continuing.

1. If you are a victim of stalking, report this to the local police department, even if you do not know if you will be filing charges.
2. Gather information to help your case, such as taped recordings of threatening phone calls, license plate state and number, description of vehicle, a personal description, and a detailed listing of any contacts the stalker makes with you.
3. Follow up in court. Take out a restraining order at your local circuit court, and/or file a civil lawsuit against the stalker for damages resulting from the stalker's behavior.
4. If the stalking continues after the restraining order has been sent, contact the police.

No method of crime prevention is guaranteed to work 100% of the time. However, in taking these steps, you are denying opportunities to would-be criminals, and you will be less likely to find yourself a victim. Be smart. Learn these steps, and make them a habit.