WSU believes that it is not a victim/survivor’s decisions that lead to acts of harm or violence. Rather, someone else is making choices to cause harm to another person. Reducing rates of violence on our campus and in our community can seem overwhelming, but it becomes a much easier task when we all work together. There are steps everyone can take to promote individual and community safety on campus:
- Plan ahead. Charge your phone before going out and stay in contact with your friends throughout the evening. Ask friends to check in with each other before leaving for the night. If someone doesn’t check in, call or text to make sure they’re okay.
- Make a back-up plan if things don’t go as planned. Bring extra cash if you need to call a cab to get home or call a trusted friend to walk you home if you feel unsafe walking alone at night.
- Pay attention to your gut instincts. If a situation feels uncomfortable, find someone you trust, or leave. Contact the police if you have concerns for your safety.
- If choosing to drink alcohol, be aware of how your body responds to drinking and plan accordingly. Plan out how many drinks you’ll have and stick to that plan. Eat a full meal before going out or eat snacks throughout the night. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks or beverages. Maintain control of your drinks and beverages at all times to prevent someone from putting drugs or other unknown substances in them.
- Respect everyone’s personal boundaries in all situations, including those involving sex. Consent at WSU must be clear, knowing, and voluntary. If you’re not certain you’ve obtained consent, stop and check in with your partner.