Mugging puts spotlight on campus safety
A recent mugging puts women's safety in question
A recent robbery just off campus has raised a few questions, mainly, what Fanshawe's female population can do to make sure they avoid any similar attacks.
The robbery occurred on November 4 when a male suspect snatched the female victim's purse, and proceeded to flee the scene. Though the victim was uninjured, the attack puts the spotlight on not just what Fanshawe is doing to make the area safer for female students, but what the students are doing to be more prepared.
“The incident that occurred the other day was one that obviously occurred on Second St.,” Robert Earle, Fanshawe's security supervisor, said of the robbery. “But I think that we can sort of analyze what happened there and look at some preventative tactics that may be applicable.”
The first priority according to Earle, is stressing that no one should travel alone at night, especially not women.
“Obviously you're less of a target if you're going to be in the company of other people at any time,” Earle stressed. “Any time that you're planning your movements, particularly at night because the risk is higher, to be in the company of other people is probably the first and primary response.”
As a secondary, Earle believes that a women's self-confidence plays a large role in whether or not she appears to be a good target. If a woman appears confident and in control, she has less appeal to a mugger than someone who appears more timid.
“When someone's targeting another individual they're looking for the weak member of the herd,” Earle explained. “They're looking for somebody who's looking a little tentative, who provides an image of a good target. So if you're walking confidently, you're aware of your surroundings, you're less of a target than someone who appears to be more withdrawn.”
Fanshawe College offers after-hours programs for women who are both traveling and working on campus in the evening, everything from work-alone programs, foot-patrol and even a self-defense course called Rape Aggression Defense (RAD).
“A lot of women tend to feel that they're not as capable of looking after their own safety unless they've taken a course like that,” Earle said regarding RAD. “That helps to improve their sense of confidence. Even if they don't use the skills; [it] goes a long way to their ability to protect themselves.”
For more information on after-hours security and the self-defense course go to http://www.fanshawec.ca/campuswatch.
A recent robbery just off campus has raised a few questions, mainly, what Fanshawe's female population can do to make sure they avoid any similar attacks.
The robbery occurred on November 4 when a male suspect snatched the female victim's purse, and proceeded to flee the scene. Though the victim was uninjured, the attack puts the spotlight on not just what Fanshawe is doing to make the area safer for female students, but what the students are doing to be more prepared.
“The incident that occurred the other day was one that obviously occurred on Second St.,” Robert Earle, Fanshawe's security supervisor, said of the robbery. “But I think that we can sort of analyze what happened there and look at some preventative tactics that may be applicable.”
The first priority according to Earle, is stressing that no one should travel alone at night, especially not women.
“Obviously you're less of a target if you're going to be in the company of other people at any time,” Earle stressed. “Any time that you're planning your movements, particularly at night because the risk is higher, to be in the company of other people is probably the first and primary response.”
As a secondary, Earle believes that a women's self-confidence plays a large role in whether or not she appears to be a good target. If a woman appears confident and in control, she has less appeal to a mugger than someone who appears more timid.
“When someone's targeting another individual they're looking for the weak member of the herd,” Earle explained. “They're looking for somebody who's looking a little tentative, who provides an image of a good target. So if you're walking confidently, you're aware of your surroundings, you're less of a target than someone who appears to be more withdrawn.”
Fanshawe College offers after-hours programs for women who are both traveling and working on campus in the evening, everything from work-alone programs, foot-patrol and even a self-defense course called Rape Aggression Defense (RAD).
“A lot of women tend to feel that they're not as capable of looking after their own safety unless they've taken a course like that,” Earle said regarding RAD. “That helps to improve their sense of confidence. Even if they don't use the skills; [it] goes a long way to their ability to protect themselves.”
For more information on after-hours security and the self-defense course go to http://www.fanshawec.ca/campuswatch.
