The Nurturer

Whereas Institutions provide some measure of security in terms of security guards, cctv cameras and the like, your safety to a large extent is your personal responsibility, therefore take necessary measures. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with security arrangement and guidelines in your institution and adhere to set regulations. Note that, there is no society that is 100% secure but the following can help enhance your safety:

1. Avoid walking alone at night or in dark or dimly lit areas.
2. Avoid being out late at night whether alone or in a company Whether you are with strangers or people familiar to you, it is not safe. Gang rapes and attacks have been reported during those late night bashes and more devastating from people familiar to the victims. So do not assume it is only a stranger (s) who can harm you. If you have gone for a bash know how to get yourself safely back rather than relying on your crowd to  take care of you especially if they take drugs or alcohol: Once out there you are on your own!
3. Have an anti gen for your door’s lock to deter someone with a master key from opening your room and stealing your items. Similarly do not be tempted to hide your key in obvious places like under the pillow or on the door frame. Do not also carry the keys with the hostel and door number label still on because if you lose the key it is very easy for someone to access your room.
4. Always ensure that your items especially electronics (laptops and phones) are safely locked in the closet at any time you are leaving the room if you cannot walk around with them. Then lock your room. This applies even when you are going to the toilet or to take a shower. It may seem tedious but prevention is better than the misery that comes after losing valuable items.
5. Avoid entertaining people in your room. It does not matter whether you are living inside or outside the campus. The students rooms are generally small and so you will have your visitors all over the room. This way you over expose yourself, your room arrangement and items in your possession. In most cases it is people who are familiar with your routine and your room including security set up and items there in that are likely to steal from you. Get a room/hall elsewhere if you wish to host a bash. You can easily get assistance for a room/hall through the Dean of students/housekeeper.
6. Avoid visiting men friends rooms alone and worse at odd hours to pick/drop this or that, type this or that, for assignment discussion etc . You could be exposing yourself to security risk – carry out your discussions in the open. All institutions have enough open spaces/field for students to relax, meet or do their discussion. In the room, no constructive discussion will take place and could just be a set up to lure you to their trap. We have all heard of cases of rape from ladies who fell for this trap. We are not saying everyone is bad or out to hurt or rape but the point here is being cautious-prevention is better than cure. If you must go get several lady friends to accompany you.
7. Be cautious when going for dates. Carry extra cash in case it does not end so well and you need cash to get back. Avoid going out late or to places considered risky. Consider open places in a hotel as opposed to an enclosed/deserted room/area where you are just the two of you. If possible the place should be easily accessible and be able to find your way back to college even on your own. Be wary of what you drink or eat especially for a first date with someone not known well to you or those close to you. Alert someone of your whereabouts (not social media of course) before you leave and once you get to the place.
8. At this level you most probably have a smart phone. Do not post finer details about yourself or your family on social media platforms e.g. face book. Similarly do not post your movements on social media however tempting it might be.  Once the information is out you have no control over it: it is out there for all and sundry to read but you never know who does not mean well for you or your loved ones. The same information can be used to harm you or your loved ones in one way or another. Thus you could be exposing yourself to insecurity-someone with the intention of harming you or stealing your items knows where to get you or when to get to your room. If you MUST post your whereabouts do it as a throwback/ a memory-once you are back.
9. Avoid taking nude photos and sending to your lover or letting them take nude photos of you or taking photos of you in some compromising situation with their phone however much in love you are with them. This can be used to damage your reputation or arm twist you to give in to their demands.  If you do not give in to their demands you could easily find those nude photos posted in social medial for all to see just to embarrass you. Whereas cyber bullying is a crime and punishable by law, having your nude photos on social media platform will cause you a lot of damage and distress which would have been avoided in the first place.
10.  Do not make your routine also so obvious and very predictable. Once in a while change something e.g. the route that you normally follow to your hostel/class or the time you leave or get to the room, eating joint or eating time, shopping place or time e.t.c.
11. Do not also be careless with your vital documents-ID,ATM cards (and their pin numbers). Do not be quick also to share with your “new found friends” finer details about yourself e.g. what you have/ how much money you have in your account or m-pesa, where you keep your vital items including money etc. or entrusting them with your valuables. You may be honest but not everyone is. You cannot be so sure what they are up to. NB: a) In case you lose your items within the institution, report immediately to the internal security office. They will assist and guide you appropriately. If outside the institution then report to the nearest police post/station. b) In case of assault or harassment while in college report immediately to the internal security office they will assist and guide you accordingly. If outside the campus report to the nearest police post and then seek assistance/guidance from internal security office.