Safety is a shared responsibility. As members of the campus community, everyone should help to make the campus a safer place. Using some simple safety precautions will greatly reduce your chance of becoming a victim of crime. One simple piece of information you should always have is your location. If there is an emergency, responders will ask for your location, address, etc., so have this information readily available.

Protecting Yourself On and Off Campus

• Lock your door, even when you intend to return home shortly or even if you are just going down the hall. It takes a thief ten seconds or less to enter an open room and steal your property.
• Take extra time to ensure that your windows and doors are locked, especially when you are alone or at night.
• Do not leave valuables lying out in plain sight. Record the serial number of your valuables or engrave a unique identification number on the item.
• Store emergency numbers in your mobile phone and place them next to your home phone. 
• Do not leave messages on your door indicating that you are away and when you will return. 
• Do not let strangers enter dormitory or premises.
• Do not prop open outer doors.
• If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency call, offer to telephone for them instead of allowing them access.
• Do not put your address on your key ring. 
• Know your neighbors.
• Do not leave keys in hiding places. Thieves will find them. Carry your keys or make sure that anyone who truly needs them has their own copy.
• To report suspicious persons or activity on campus, call LSU Health Shreveport Police Department at 318-675-6165 or activate the LSU SHIELD Mobile Safety App. If off campus, call 911. 
• Open a savings or checking account instead of keeping money in your room.
• Keep automatic teller machine cards in a safe place, keep your PIN secret. When possible, only use ATM's during the day.
• Instead of carrying large sums of cash use a charge card. Some charge cards insure property purchased with those cards against loss, theft or damage.
• If you find yourself in immediate danger, call 911; try to stay calm and get away at first opportunity.

Protect Yourself When Walking

• Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary.
• Stay on well lit, commonly traveled routes.
• Avoid shortcuts and dark, isolated areas.
• Walk purposefully, know where you are going and project a confident image.
• Avoid potentially dangerous situations.
• If you feel threatened, cross the street, locate an emergency phone, or enter a store or place of business even if you have just left it.
• Have your keys ready in hand when approaching your vehicle or door; not buried in a purse or in your pocket.

Protect Your Auto or Bicycle

• Always lock your car. Never leave the windows down while it is unattended.
• Do not leave tempting valuables or property visible inside the car. Lock these items in the trunk.
• Lock bikes to bike racks with hardened-alloy locks and chains or u-shaped locks to prevent thefts.

Protecting Yourself When Driving

• Look into your car before getting in. Lock doors and roll up windows once inside for protection.
• Never pick up strangers.
• Drive to a police or fire station or open place of business if you feel you are being followed.
• Do not stop to help occupants of stopped or disabled vehicles. Continue driving to the nearest phone and call assistance for them.

Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation For Hire

In light of recent tragic events involving “transportation for hire,” specifically Uber and Lyft, the LSUHS Police Department has compiled the following list of best practice safety tips:

• While requesting and waiting on ride, remain indoors. The app should show when driver is close to your location.
• Always obtain the make, model, and license plate number of the vehicle that will be providing the transportation service. Check the make, model, and license plate prior to entering the vehicle to ensure it matches your records.
• The driver should know your name. If they do not know your name, do not enter the vehicle.
• In many cases, the app will show a photo of the driver. Make sure the photo matches the driver.
• If possible, ride in the back seat. This allows more opportunity for escape, if necessary.
• Let someone know your plans and location of travel. Let that person know when you have reached your destination.
• Ride with others when possible.
• Do not reveal personal details about you to the driver.
• If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Decline the ride.

Your safety is of the utmost concern to the LSUHS Police Department. Will do everything possible to create a safe environment while on our premises. However, you must also take measures to ensure your personal safety.

Remember:

• always be aware of your surroundings (do not text or talk on the phone while walking, being mindless of what’s around you).
• walk in pairs or groups.
• do not flash cash or jewelry.
• have keys in hand when walking to your vehicle.
• carry a chemical spray that is quickly accessible and know how to use it.
• Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, remove yourself immediately from the situation and proceed immediately to the nearest safe location.

For any concerns or to report suspicious persons or activity on campus, call LSU Health Shreveport Police Department at 318-675-6165 or activate the LSU Shield Mobile Safety App. If you are off campus, call 911.

(Adapted from Cornell College)

But I was at a party with friends...

Most sexual assaults among college students involve people who know each other, and the majority involve use of alcohol or other drugs. Whether someone is sober or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, if they are sexually assaulted they are not responsible for the assault.

Anyone can be sexually assaulted, and there are no sure means to prevent sexual assault because the only people who can prevent sexual assault are those who perpetrate it. However, you can take steps to lessen the likelihood that you or your friends will be assaulted or will assault someone. 

Here are some tips to consider when you go out:

• Know where you are going and speak up if you are uncomfortable with the plans.
• Communicate with your partner:  No means No;
  Clear verbal or non-verbal consent means Yes.
• Know that drinking and drug use can impair your judgment. You might not be able to make the same decision you would make if you were sober.
• If you drink, drink responsibly:  eat a full meal before going out, have a glass of water between each drink, stick to one type of alcoholic beverage, know your limits and don’t go beyond them, have a designated driver, and don’t let anyone else make the decision of how much you will drink.
• Only drink something that you poured yourself or that comes in a pre-sealed container, and don’t drink something that has been left unattended. Mixed drinks can have more alcohol in them than you might want to drink. Also, drugs (e.g., Rohypnol, GHB) can be dissolved in a drink, causing side effects such as nausea, dizziness, disorientation, &/or loss of consciousness.
• Use the buddy system and look out for each other. Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know well. If you do leave a party with a new friend, tell the friends you came with where you are going and when you are coming back. If you are worried about a friend’s safety, tell them.

 Reduce the Risk of Committing Sexual Assault

• Listen carefully. Take time to hear what the other person has to say. If you feel they are not being direct or are giving you a “mixed message” ask for clarification.
• Don’t fall for the cliché “if they say no, they really mean yes.” If your partner says “no” to sexual contact, believe them and stop. If they seem uncomfortable or uncertain, stop and check in. It is never acceptable to force sexual activity, or to pressure, coerce, or manipulate someone into having sex, no matter the circumstances. The campus has employed an affirmative consent policy. Yes means yes.
• Don’t make assumptions about a person’s behavior. Don’t assume that someone wants to have sex because of they way they are dressed, they drink (or drink too much), or agree to go to your room. Don’t assume that if someone has had sex with you before they are willing to do so again. Also don’t assume that if your partner consents to kissing or other sexual activities, they are consenting to all sexual activities. Obtain clear consent for each sexual activity.
• Be aware that having sex with someone who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent is rape. If you have sex with someone who is incapacitated due to alcohol or drugs, passed out, or is otherwise incapable of saying no or knowing what is going on around them, you may be guilty of rape.
• Remember sexual assault is a crime punishable via campus conduct, criminal, and civil proceedings.
• Be careful in group situations; resist pressure from friends to participate in violent acts.
• Get involved if you believe that someone is at risk. If you see someone in trouble or someone pressuring another person, don’t be afraid to intervene - or get help to do so.

Reduce the Risk of Being Sexually Assaulted

• Know your sexual intentions and limits. You have the right to say “NO” to any unwanted sexual contact. If you are uncertain of what you want, ask your partner to respect your feelings.
• Communicate with your partner. Do not assume that someone will automatically know how you feel or will eventually “get the message” without you having to say anything. Just as it’s okay to say “NO” to unwanted activities, it’s okay - and important - to give clear consent to activities in which you would like to engage. Avoid giving “mixed messages”; back up your words with a firm voice and clear body language (e.g., if you consent, give a big smile and say “YES!”). 
• Be aware that some people mistakenly believe drinking, dressing provocatively, or going to your or someone else’s room means you are willing to have sex. Be clear up front about your limits in such situations.
• Listen to your gut feelings. If you feel uncomfortable or think you might be at risk, leave the situation immediately and go to a safe place.
• If you feel you are being pressured or coerced into  sexual activity, you have a right to state your feelings  &/or leave the situation. If you are concerned about the other person becoming angry, it is okay to make up an excuse to leave or create time to get help.
• Attend large parties with friends you trust. Agree to “look out” for one another. Leave with the group, not alone.  Avoid leaving with people that you don’t know very well.
• Attend a workshop on sexual assault risk reduction or take a self-defense to learn additional general safety and risk reduction strategies.

If someone you know has been sexually violated

DO:

• Be supportive, listen to them.
• Share your feelings of concern for them.
• Communicate to your friend that they are not responsible for the violation.
• Make sure your friend has a safe place to stay.
• Allow your friend to regain control by making their own decisions.
• Make yourself available to accompany your friend to a helping resource (e.g., hospital, Health Center, Counseling Center, The Cottage).
• Realize that you, too, have been affected and seek support if you need it.

DON’T:

• Attempt to seek revenge.
• Make jokes.
• Be angry with your friend.
• Force your friend to talk and/or take control from them.
• Ask your friend how they could “let this happen”.
• Assume you understand how your friend feels.
• Discuss the incident with others unless you have permission from your friend.

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