Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Students should attend the safety forum being held Wednesday in order to better understand the reality of the danger related to sexual assault.
Safety should be an issue of utmost importance to students. According to a Sept. 1 press release, Attorney General Steve Six plans to hold a safety forum along with the Riley County and Lawrence Police Departments. There will be two sessions — one at Kansas State University and the other here.
For many students living on-campus, this year is their first time living away from home. It is important to realize that living in a new city or environment can pose its own safety hazards.
In the past, students at both universities have fallen victim to on-campus sexual attacks. The last attack thought to be connected to a serial rapist occurred in Lawrence in December. This specific rapist has been connected to 13 rapes total between both cities, dating back to 2001. Local officials feel it is important to warn and educate students about on-campus safety.
“The Riley County Police Department’s mission is to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in our community,” said Captain Jeff Hooper, Riley County police officer, in the press release. “To that end, we are committed to not only enforce the laws, but to educate the public.”
Sergeant Bill Cory with the Lawrence police said they have similar goals.
“A major part of preventing crime is to make the public aware of ways that they can protect themselves,” he said.
On its Web site, lawrencepolice.org, the Lawrence police outline personal safety strategies for the community.
These tips include parking in well-lit areas, not walking or jogging alone at night, keeping money in a pocket instead of a purse or wallet and portraying a confident and self-reliant person while walking as if you have a mission.
Also, the University offers several Recreational Services that can help in self-defense. The KU Tae Kwon Do Club is one such example. This club meets every Monday and Wednesday at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center.
Emma Brooke, Lawrence senior, has been participating in this club since she has been at the University. She has been learning tae kwon do since she was seven.
“My parents have two daughters,” she said. “They wanted us to learn self-defense. I just feel more comfortable knowing I can defend myself if it comes to that.”
Brooke said she felt safe on campus, but certain improvements would help.
“The campus could have better lighting,” she said. “That would make things a little safer.”
Many incoming students come from a smaller setting than Lawrence. The town and the safety issues that come along with it can be overwhelming. Brooke said she felt the safety forum will help “make people informed on how to protect themselves. Freshmen can be kind of naïve if they aren’t aware of the situation.”
Student should use the resources available to them in order to create a safer environment at the University and in Lawrence. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more tips about safety and dangerous situations that can arise.
The safety forum will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Alderson Auditorium on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union. All students should attend this forum in order to learn more about the related sexual assaults and overall public safety.
— — Kara Walker for The Kansan Editorial Board
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