By Melanie Brooke: The Concordian March 8, 1994
In addition to practising the safety methods outlined in the booklet, Seguin recommends students leam the location and telephone numbers of all security services available to them, on and off campus.
Important numbers, such as campus security, health services, the MUC police, hospitals with sexual assault protocols, and emergency hotlines like Tel-Aide, are listed on wallet-sized « Personal Safety Cards, »
inserted in each booklet.
« We want to make sure every student reads a copy of the booklet, » said Seguin. The Committee plans to insert the booklet into orientation packages distributed to new students.
« It increases everyone’s chances I to avoid danger, » said Seguin, echoing the committee’s hopes that the information provided in the bookletwill serve to educate students and faculty about personal safety.
Safety. It’s on everybody’s mind, especially when a woman finds herself in an unsafe situation, which for many is quite often.
This has prompted the Status of Women Committee at Concordia to produce a campus safety booklet, entitled « Making Smart Choices About Personal Safety. »
The booklet was distributed to students and faculty members Tuesday at the Hall Building.
« We want to increase awareness of safety issues, » said Michelle Seguin, assistant to the advisor on the Status of Women.
Seguin described the booklet as a guide detailing personal safety procedures, on and off campus.
It is a collection of beneficial advice on how to prevent and protect yourself and others from becoming the victim of an assault or theft.
Information in the booklet ranges from tips about walking alone, to advice on using a bank machine, washrooms, elevators and public
transit.
Although many of the tips in the booklet apply to both genders, Seguin said the target audience in this case is Concordia’s female population.
« This year we are putting emphasis on empowering women, » she said.
« We are not completely powerless, » said Seguin. She stressed the importance of showing women they not only have the choice and opportunity but the responsibility to protect themselves from potential attackers.
« We want to encourage people to act in their own protection, » said Seguin.
She suggested enrolment in a self- defence course as ameans to improve physical and mental capacity for self-protection.