Ladies, take aggressive steps to protect yourselves
Female students need more than standard e-mail warnings to protect them from attackers.
COMMENTARY
Emilee Baker

In light of the rape off campus last week, several discussions come to mind. These crimes are common and it’s becoming increasingly obvious we need to be more aware of threatening situations.

Not too long ago, we dealt with the “TCU rapist”, a criminal and severe threat to TCU female students. Last spring there were more rapes, all off campus (as per the reports).

According to an article in the TCU Daily Skiff, police did not release the name of the apartment complex of last week’s sexual assault for anonymity. Det. Kelly Ham told me the reason TCU Police failed to inform students of the location of the assault was because they felt “south of campus” was specific enough and that the actual location was “nobody’s business.” But, if anyone cared to notice, the name of the apartment complex was released on the television news channels.

It is a sad fact that the TCU Police can provide only limited information to “protect” those involved even when the information kept from students is very important. As an off-campus student, I want to know where these rapes happen so I can better protect myself and remain concerned.

The e-mail warnings are valid, but they are not enough. The adage that we were taught as young children — Don’t talk to strangers — seems to be the most accurate lesson we should follow today.

The overall problem is that we need to be provided with more specific instructions on how to be aware. There are many potential victims that sit there and think, “It will never happen to me.”

It will. How will you protect yourself from becoming a victim? The following are from my personal, female, “Be aware” stockpile of warnings.

Number one: “Bad guys” are not always ugly and scary men in black clothing. Trust must be earned, not given — no matter the appearance of the stranger.

Number two: Do not be afraid to carry a weapon. I am not advocating the purchase of a gun, but Mace is not necessarily a bad idea.

Number three: If you have yet to take a physical education class at TCU, enroll in Tae Kwan Do. You will learn self-defense moves that work.

Number four: Be smart and listen to yourself. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation and cannot pinpoint the exact reason, leave! Your body may be able to sense the danger before your brain can make you understand the threat.

At the risk of sounding like a paranoid parent, the truth is crimes can happen to TCU students. Ignoring these incidents will not protect them from happening to you. Pay attention to the stories and information around you. Search other types of media and make yourself a confident person who will know how to handle a situation if one arises.

Emilee Baker is a senior anthropology and sociology major from Sheridan, Arkansas.