New year, new semester, new classes, old habits. While some of us have learned good habits throughout last semester, other habits acquired may not have been as desirable. With the start of a fresh semester, we are given the opportunity to change these old habits. One habit that occurs far too often on college campuses across the country, however, can be fatal, and many college girls fail to realize just how serious it can be. What is the one dangerous habit? Walking alone at night.
When we were younger, our parents often scolded us for thinking we were invincible and for believing nothing bad could possibly happen to us. Yet, looking back and picking out the important words between screams, they were right. As college students, we tend to have an attitude that we’re older, more independent, wiser, and more street-smart, and we would never make “that mistake.” While the above may sometimes be true, it does not always apply to safety.
How many times have you or a friend thought or said the following: “It’s only two minutes away.” “I’m fine, don’t worry.” “I can see my house from here.” “I promise I’ll text you the second I get back.” Unfortunately, every single night, friends will say the above to one another, and will walk home alone, whether it is one house away or five blocks away. Even if all you have to walk is two minutes, the unthinkable can happen. Short distance does not mean safe distance. And just because you once walked home alone at the end of a night and were fine, does not mean that doing it again will ensure the same ending.
We sometimes forget how quickly something tragic happen. The one block chosen to walk alone can result in a purse snatching, rape, or abduction. New Orleans does not have a reputation for being the safest city in America as Tulane students know from the crime report emails we too often receive. Walking in groups is the best way to prevent crime and danger, and as simple as it sounds, we have a tendency to forget. So, this semester, we Tulane girls must make a promise to our friends and ourselves that no matter what, no one will be left alone.
You CAN do something! Take action:
-Take a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class
– Keep Yourself Informed
-Speak out with the “It’s Not Enough” Campaign
-If see something, say something: Call TUDP and report it (504-865-5381)