Simple, Practical and Effective
Self-Defence Strategies for University Students
Over the next few days
students across the country will be moving away from home for the first time to
attend colleges and universities in brand new cities and towns. For most students, university is the first
time they will be living without supervision, making their own decisions,
experimenting with different social scenes and staying out late - all while
being surrounded by new and unfamiliar faces. While the university experience
is always exciting and life changing, often these new living arrangements can
present students with circumstances in which they are unsure how to navigate
the social scene while protecting and defending themselves.
“Most university campuses are incredibly safe
and crime is relatively rare,” says Stephen Drake, lifelong Martial Artist,
Security Training & Development Manager and author of many published
articles on both personal protection and self-defence. “We all know, however, that because of the
university lifestyle of late nights and beverage consumption, students can be
easy targets for petty crime and personal attacks.” Mr. Drake suggests the following simple
self-defence strategies for students;
Always trust your instinct. If your gut is telling you something doesn’t
feel right, it probably isn’t (your more perceptive than you think). Go back to where you came from, contact
campus security or find people as quickly as you can.
Always travel in groups. Never walk alone at
night. Avoid "shortcuts".
Criminals, like predators, try to isolate their prey from the herd.
Groups are less likely to be confronted, so “buddy up” for the walk home.
Never trust your assailant. Criminals are
cunning and can be extremely persuasive. Most likely they will approach you in
a friendly manner and appeal to your common senses. No matter what they say or
how convincing they are, never believe them. Campus security is the best team
for the job.
Never leave the area. Your
attacker needs to isolate you. In order to do that, they will use force or any
persuasive manoeuvre to convince you that going with them is in your best
interest. Don’t go, even when faced with an armed assailant. Put as much space
between you and them as fast as possible.
An Ounce of
Prevention…Here’s how to plan ahead to ensure you never have to find yourself
in a desperate situation
Always take advantage of
campus safety services. Become familiar
with your university campus security department. Most offer escorts and shuttle
services to and from campus dorms after hours.
Study the campus and
neighbourhood. Become familiar with
respect to routes between your residence and class/activities schedule. Make
note where emergency phones are located.
Share your class and
activities schedule. Let parents and a network of close friends know your
schedule. This creates a type of "buddy" system. Give network
telephone numbers to your parents, advisor's, and friends.
The Magpie Security Training
Academy provides quality personal protection and self-defence instruction
training programs that provide a maximum effect with a minimum of time
invested. The purpose of such training is
it is better to have something and not use it rather than need something and
you don’t have it. Self Defence is a life skill just like learning first aid or
learning to swim.
The Magpie Security training
academy can offer local expert sources to discuss and expand upon the
information included above, as well as topics related to physical intervention,
conflict management and the like. Please
contact Stephen Drake / 07738 113106 or steve.drake@magpie-security.co.uk or
visit www.magpie-security.co.uk or for more information just google Steve
Drake Self Defence
