A high percentage of campus crimes are incidents of opportunity. Students, faculty, or staff may place themselves or their property at risk by leaving a door or window open or unlocked, for example. Crime will occur, but prevention efforts can be effective in reducing the opportunity for criminal activity. Everyone plays a key role in crime prevention and safety. Be cautious, alert, and protective of your person, your possessions and university property.

• Do not unlock your door unless you know the person who wishes to enter.
• Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers.
• Before you enter your car when it has been parked unattended, check the rear floor for possible intruders.
• Do not resist armed robbers. Property can be replaced--your life cannot.
• Keep car doors locked when riding.
• Do not display large sums of money.
• Hold onto your purse and do not depend on purse straps which can be cut/broken.
• Do not leave valuables in public places, even for short periods of time.
• Do not leave your car parked in an isolated location for long periods of time, especially over weekends.
• Lock your bicycle to a bike rack on campus.
• Immediately report any suspicious person loitering on campus or in parking lots the the university police.
• Follow all crosswalk safety ordinances.

Additional Tips for Night Time

• Walk in a well lit, well traveled area. Avoid shortcuts.
• Walk with a friend.
• If you must walk alone, research safety tips for doing so and always be aware of your surroundings. Let a friend know the time you leave and the route you plan to take. Call them when you arrive.
• Carry your keys between your fingers to use as a weapon if necessary.
• Be aware of cars or pedestrians who may be following you.
• Walk on the side of the street facing oncoming traffic.
• If you feel you are being followed, quickly walk to a public area.
• Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys.

The university police department is committed to ensuring our campus is a safe and secure place to live and learn. When you observe a safety issue on campus, you are encouraged to assist by notifying the university police or other appropriate authority.

• Report broken lights, overgrown bushes near walking paths, etc.
• Report any suspicious person loitering on campus or in parking lots.
• Report any unusual or suspicious behavior you witness on campus.
• If you are a victim or witness of a crime, report it immediately.
• If you suspect a member of the campus community may pose a danger to him-/herself or others, the university police.
• If you suspect a member of the campus community needs help with issues such as health or emotional wellbeing, contact UCARE.
• Promptly inform Physical Facilities of any broken locks, windows or doors at (573) 341-4252.
• Read the bystander intervention tips below to understand how you can prevent crimes or assist victims.

Bystanders are the largest group of people involved in criminal incidents – they greatly outnumber both the perpetrators and the victims. Bystanders have a range of involvement in incidents. Some know that a specific crime is happening or will happen, some see a crime or potential crime in progress. Regardless of how close to the crime they are, bystanders have the power stop crimes from occurring and to get help for people who have been victimized. If you find yourself in this situation, follow the tips and options below for intervening in a situation potentially involving a crime.

• Approach everyone as a friend.
• Try to split up the parties involved.
• Do not be antagonistic.
• Redirect the focus of one person somewhere else.
• Avoid using violence.
• Be honest and direct whenever possible.
• Recruit help if necessary.
• Keep yourself safe.
• If things get out of hand or become too serious, contact the police.

Abuse can affect anyone in our community but can often be overlooked, excused or denied. Noticing and acknowledging the signs of abusive behavior is the first step toward getting help for yourself or others. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the following list of warning signs, help is available.

Warning Signs of Abusive Behavior

• Past abuse
  
  An abuser may say, "I hit someone in the past, but she made me do it." An abusive person who minimizes what happened with a previous partner is likely to be violent with their current partner. Abusive behavior does not just go away; long-term counseling and a sincere desire to change are necessary.
  
  
• Threats of violence or abuse
  
  Threats can involve anything that is meant to control the victim. For example, "I'll tell your parents about your drug use if you don't do what I want." Healthy relationships do not involve threats, but an abusive person will try to excuse this behavior by saying that "everybody talks like that."
  
  
• Breaking objects
  
  An abuser may break things, beat on tables or walls or throw objects around or near the victim. This behavior terrorizes the victim and can send the message that physical abuse is the next step.
  
  
• Use of force during an argument
  
  An abuser may use force during arguments, including holding the victim down, physically restraining the victim from leaving the room, and pushing and shoving. For example, an abuser may hold a victim against the wall and say, "You're going to listen to me."
  
  
• Jealousy
  
  An abuser will say that jealousy is a sign of love. In reality, jealousy has nothing to do with love. It is a sign of insecurity and possessiveness. An abuser may question the victim about whom they talk to or be jealous of time spent with other people. As the jealousy progresses, the abuser will call the victim frequently, stop by unexpectedly or monitor the victim's activities.
  
  
• Controlling behavior
  
  An abuser will claim that controlling behavior is out of concern for the victim's welfare. They will be angry if the victim is late and will frequently interrogate the victim. As this behavior gets worse, the abuser will control the victim's appearance and activities.
  
  
• Quick involvement
  
  An abuser will often pressure someone to make a commitment after a very short amount of time. The abuser comes on quickly, claiming "love at first sight," and will tell the victim flattering things such as "You're the only person I could ever love."
  
  
• Unrealistic expectations
  
  The abuser is dependent on the victim for everything and expects perfection. The victim is expected to take care of everything for the abuser, particularly all emotional support. The abuser will say things like, "You're the only person I need in my life."
  
  
• Isolation
  
  The abuser will attempt to diminish and destroy the victim's support system. If a female victim has male friends, she is accused of being a "whore." If she has female friends, she is accused of being a "lesbian." If she is close to her family, she is accused of being "tied to the apron strings." The abuser will accuse people who are close to the victim of "causing trouble."
  
  
• Blames others for problems
  
  Abusers will rarely admit to the part they play in causing a problem. She will blame the victim for almost anything that goes wrong.
  
  
• Blames others for their feelings
  
  An abuser will tell the victim, "I hurt you because you made me mad," or "You're hurting me when you don't do what I ask." Blaming the victim is a way of manipulating them and avoiding any responsibility.
  
  
• Hypersensitivity
  
  An abuser can be easily insulted. The slightest setbacks are seen as personal attacks. An abuser will rage about the everyday difficulties of life as if they are injustices -- such as getting a traffic ticket or not doing well on an exam.
  
  
• Cruelty to animals or children
  
  An abuser may brutally punish animals or be insensitive to their pain or suffering. Pets can be used to control the victim or to emotionally abuse them.
  
  
• "Playful" use of force during sex
  
  The abuser may like to hold the victim down during sex. They may want to act out sexual fantasies in which the victim is helpless. An abuser may show little concern about whether the victim wants to have sex and use sulking or anger to manipulate the victim into compliance. They may demand sex or start having sex with the victim when they are sleeping or very intoxicated.
  
  
• Rigid sex roles
  
  Male abusers often expect women to serve and obey them. They view women as inferior to men and believe that a woman is not a whole person without a relationship with a man.
  
  
• Jekyll-and-Hyde personality
  
  Explosiveness and mood swings are typical of abusers, and these behaviors are related to other traits such as hypersensitivity. This is not always a sign of mental health problems but may be a way of controlling the victim by being unpredictable.

Campus buildings are secured during the evening hours at the earliest reasonable time. During the academic year in which residence halls are open, those halls are secured during the evening hours according to the Department of Residential Life regulations. Faculty, staff, and students can prevent access by unauthorized personnel in both residence halls and other campus buildings by verifying any door entered or exited has closed and locked behind them.  Do not provide others access to secured facilities unless you know the persons are authorized to be there. Members of the campus community are encouraged to report any security problem to the university police immediately.  Please report broken locks, windows or doors as soon as possible to Physical Facilities at (573) 341-4252.