8 Myths about Crime on Campus

Think about the first time you ever heard about crime and ways to stay safe? Maybe it was in D.A.R.E class in the fifth grade or maybe it was your grandma telling you not to take candy from strangers. Either way it is a societal standard to hear about crime and all the ways to avoid being a victim of true crime.

When attending college you know it is a higher risk for certain crimes to happen. With the influence of booze and partying sometimes that can be an equation for the worst. Additionally, there maybe college campuses it tougher areas or larger cities where crime is more relevant, either way this blog is focusing on the societal myths about crime on college campuses and better was to #StaySafe.

8: Colleges in bad areas are more likely for crime to happen

Okay, I get it my parents were crazy about me going to a "safe college," and I think maybe every parent is, but I need to break the crime myth that college campus in un-safe areas and or cities are more ideal for crime to happen. False.

My boyfriend is a college student at Cleveland State University. He lives in east Cleveland and don't get me wrong their are some roads and areas you don't want to get lost in- but the campus itself at CSU, extremely safe.

This intrigued me so I looked up some articles around this and according to the FBI schools in bigger cities or higher crime areas are actually safer than small universities that are in more exclusive areas. The reason for this is because campus security and police officers are trained longer than police officers not near high crime areas serving campuses.

I mean there is a reason why Ohio University and West Virginia University are top partying schools because there is nothing else to do around there and FACT they have higher crime rates on campus than Cleveland State University and The University of Pittsburg.

7: Theft doesn't happen because college student's are poor

I mean, no. Theft happens on campuses in fact it happens more than it does in suburbs across the U.S.

According to College Crime Watch the top crime on college campuses is theft. Additionally, theft at college parties is huge. Personally, I have been at house parties or fraternity parties watching people steal. Furthermore, my best friend who lived in the dorms freshman year got her laptop stolen. Lock your doors people and #StaySafe.

6: A car on campus is safe

Wrong. The second highest crime according to College Crime Watch on campus is vehicle theft. Like what? That is #CrimeCrazy.

Again my best friend who is a student at Ohio University legit got her car stolen. Could you imagine? Walking outside to get in your car and go to work and it is just gone. I mean for my Kent State students we know the feeling but that's usually because we got too many parking tickets and our cars got towed, oops.

5: Identity Theft happens to older generations who aren't incline with cyber security- not college students

In fact, large international companies put hacks on college campuses because we are all on our devices so much. On Safety.com they talk about the high risks of identity theft and college students are the victims.

Maybe invest into a cyber security network? I am not sure, but all I know is I am a few weeks away from graduation- the rest of you- may have to fend. #Joking #StayCyberSafe

4: Car break-in's only happen in big cities not on college campuses

Huge myth buster. My car has been broken into five times while parked in a campus parking lot. After my windows got busted out the first time and 100$ of my serving tip money stolen I now know to take all my important stuff out and leave the car unlocked.

Might sound crazy but what can they steal with that strategy? An old Starbucks cup, maybe a Gronala bar, some lotion? Have at it.

3: Only Females are Sexually Assaulted on College Campuses

According to RAINN the LGBTQ community has a huge victim rate on college campuses. For so long their has been an underlining concept that only females are attacked when sexually assaulted but really a lot of people apart of the LGBTQ community has been facing an increase in these statistics.

So to my friends apart of this incredible community be careful. Know your friends, keep your eyes out and be vigilant.

2: She wore skimpy clothes so she wanted it

Okay yeah no. According to RAINN that is one of the largest excuses people use for when a female is sexually assaulted on a college campus. All I am going to say is why don't we live in a society where it's not what she wore but what the assaulter or rapists did.

It is NEVER the victim's fault- ever.

1: Don't get drinks from strangers

This is the biggest myth buster. You hear when you go to college campuses to not take drinks from strangers. According to RAINN a larger percent of those who drug drinks and sexually assault their victims know their victims.

This was a huge misconception- I went throughout college and my "adult life," believing that only strangers could do these horrible things- but nope, it usually is someone who knows you. Please #StaySafe.

So for my college friends, see these myth busters and know #SafeWays to prevent them. It is so important to know your surroundings and question any gut feeling you may have.

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