Personal Safety
Making sure that students are safe is a primary focus of the University. Purdue makes every effort to provide a safe environment.
A college campus is a reflection of our society, where crimes do occur. Student awareness and common sense are the best means of preventing crime or injury.
To ensure the safety of our students on campus, the Purdue University Police Department provides the following services:
1. Annual Security Report The University prepares an annual security report as part of the Cleary Law. The report contains statistics and information relating to campus safety, security policies, and other important information, and is available at www.police.purdue.edu. Copies of the report are available by calling the Purdue Police Department records section at (765) 494-8221.
2. Emergency telephones Emergency telephones are available at more than 200 campus locations. They connect directly to the police department. From any regular telephone, call 911 to report emergencies.
3. Purdue student security patrol This patrol consists of trained students who assist the police in patrolling the campus at night. Their high visibility serves as a deterrent to crimes on campus.
4. Safe-Walk program The Student Security Patrol also staffs the Safe-Walk program at (765) 494-SAFE.
This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to and from University Residences, the academic campus, and the Village Business District. This program is available all year including fall, spring, and summer sessions.
5. Marking personal possessions Engraving tools for marking personal possessions are available in University Residences and from the University Police. Both students and parents are encouraged to make a list, with serial numbers, of the student’s belongings as an extra precaution.
More information and advice concerning personal safety can be found at www.purdue.edu/police/pdf/YourCampus.pdf.
Sexual Assault — A primer for men and women
While no one wants to think about sexual assault, the reality is that one in six women will experience it. And nearly 80 percent of the time, a survivor of sexual assault knows the attacker. It’s never the survivor’s fault when an assault occurs. It is up to each of us to help protect each other and ourselves. Here are some ways to do this:
Be clear: Know how you want the evening to end and communicate that to your date. Going into a date or other romantic situation prepared to communicate your intention to your date — do you want to kiss, have sex, etc. — will help both of you. Don’t be afraid to make your needs known. If you are unsure about what your date wants to do, ask. It’s less embarrassing than you think and worth any brief awkwardness to communicate clearly.
Stay sober: Alcohol and drugs compromise your ability to make responsible decisions and communicate effectively. Watch your alcohol intake so you don’t become too drunk to communicate or be aware of your surroundings. It’s important to always remember it’s not your fault if you were assaulted, even if you had been drinking. It’s also in your best interest not to drink so much that you can’t communicate or remember what happened the night before.
Stay safe: Know where you are going and go with friends. Stay with your friends and watch out for each other. Don’t leave parties or bars with people you’ve just met, especially if you are intoxicated. If you are walking back to your residence, walk with a friend or roommate. Before you go out, know where the campus emergency phones are located in case you need help. Always know what is in your drink. This means avoiding the punchbowl or other open drinks at parties. Always get drinks directly from the bartender or wait staff at bars. Don’t leave your drink unattended!
All of these tips are common sense. Certain situations, including those where alcohol is involved, can make it difficult to speak up. Trust your feelings; if you sense a dangerous situation or things are getting out of hand, speak up or leave immediately. Don’t worry about being polite or upsetting anyone. Your first responsibility is to yourself.
If you have experienced an assault, please contact the Purdue University Police Department (911) immediately.
If you are seeking services or would like to talk with someone about an assault, please contact the Women’s Resource Office at (765) 494-9879.