If you’ve agreed to receive emergency notification text messages via Cyberbear, then on Wednesday you were visited by three unsettling text messages while enjoying your morning coffee. (If you haven’t agreed to receive emergency notification text messages, go to Cyberbear right now, log in using your net id and password, and enable this feature by clicking on the “Update Emergency Text Messages Cell Phone” link under the Personal Information tab. Do it. There’s no good reason not to be as informed as possible about campus emergencies.)
The text messages indicated that around midnight, a woman had been punched and robbed over by the flags, west of the tennis courts. A brief description of the perpetrator was given, and receivers of the text messages were asked to call 911 “with info”—though the first text left out that rather important modifier, telling readers simply to “Call 911.” Really, who can be bothered with clarity of communication in such situations?
You can read more about the attack here. Of course, if situations like this could be easily predicted and avoided, they wouldn’t happen. It’s horrible when this sort of thing occurs, but perhaps the silver lining in the perpetrator’s gray sweatshirt is that this situation raises our awareness of some of the dangers of campus life. Ideally, no woman should ever have to face something like this, but even our beloved Missoula isn’t ideal. This instance forces us to take a moment and search for ways in which we as UM collegiettes can avoid becoming victims ourselves. Take a few moments to consider these dos and don’ts of campus safety.
1. Don’t walk alone. At night, it’s important to be especially wary of travelling alone, even if you’re just going from the library to the parking lot. If you can’t enlist a study-buddy or friend to make the journey with you (or if you are by yourself), call the UM Escort Service (not that kind of escort) at (406)-243-2777 to ask for someone to walk with you.
2. Do practice good posture. If you are walking by yourself somewhere off-campus (if you’re on campus, you have no reason to be walking alone, thanks to the number I have conveniently provided above), walk like a woman who is in charge. This sounds silly, but you’d be amazed at how effective good posture can be when it comes to warding off potential attackers. Keep your head up, your shoulders back, your hips squarely underneath you, and look at the world around you. Walk with purpose and a strong swing in your arms.
3. Don’t shuffle. If I’m beginning to an overly strict grandmother, sorry. But this is important. When you’re looking down and shuffling along, you’re less likely to notice potential threats until they are upon you. Staying alert is essential to staying alive.
4. Do carry a pen. This might sound strange, but I promise it’s a good idea. That innocent little tool does not do you much good if you’re in an unsafe situation and it’s tucked in your purse. Instead, carry it in your fist you walk (remembering to swing your arms). Why? I personally can’t throw an especially strong punch. But I promise that you do not want me using the weight of my arm to jab you in the eye or ear with a Bic ballpoint. This simple tool, by concentration of pressure, can double as an effective weapon if you need it.
5. Don’t be afraid to use said pen. In frightening situations, it can be difficult to summon your physical strength and fight, even in self-defense. If you find yourself in close proximity with an attacker, go for vulnerable areas. I’ve already mentioned eyes and ears, but any sensitive area you can reach will do, including armpits. Or, make like Sandra Bullock in “Miss Congeniality” and remember to S-I-N-G: Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin!
6. Do run if you can. In flight-or-fight situations, flight should always be your first choice. I’ve provided information on physical defense because it’s important to have that knowledge if you can’t get away from an attacker. But running as fast as you can at the first opportunity should always be your first choice.
7. Don’t yell “Help!” This one sounds strange, so let me be clear: I absolutely want you to yell and scream as fiercely as you can if you’re in danger. But yelling “Help!” isn’t, unfortunately, the most effective way of making sure someone who hears you takes immediate action. Instead, yell “Fire!” or “Call 911!” The first tends to work because people are nosy and will want to see where the “fire” is. The second is the best choice of the three, because it’s an order, and is most likely to prompt immediate action on the part of a hearer.
8. Don’t hesitate to contact authorities. The woman who was attacked on Tuesday night did exactly the right thing in using one of the yellow emergency phones on campus to call campus police. Notify authorities as soon as possible of threats on or off-campus. Call 911, and if on campus, (406)-243-4000, UM Public Safety.
9. Do go to a sexual assault awareness seminar. Offered exclusively for women, these free seminars are being made available at UM this fall. Increasing your knowledge of resources, vulnerable situations, and self-defense will only help you. Click here for more information.
There’s no good reason for not taking simple measures to keep yourself safe. With a bit of conscious effort, you can increase your chances of avoiding an attack, and gain the knowledge necessary to respond effectively if an attack does happen. Stay classy, and stay safe