Campus safety: why should it matter to students (not just their parents)

Students who want to achieve their academic goals and enjoy their university experience need to realise that their psychological and physical safety will directly impact their ability to do so. A person’s sense of safety affects all aspects of their life, including the ability to make friends, hold employment and remain enrolled at school. That means that students who are eager to succeed need to prioritise their safety and ensure that their future school is going to do the same.

As part of their decision-making regarding which university is best for them, students should learn more about their future institution’s approach to community safety and wellness. When looking at different schools, it should be easy to read up on the campuses’ commitment to safety and how they deliver on that promise through year-round programming. Plus, their commitment should reach far beyond physical safety and include research-based approaches to mental health, wellness and harm reduction.

Student safety remains an issue across the global post-secondary landscape

Personal safety is a serious concern affecting universities around the world. With one in five women experiencing sexual violence while attending a post-secondary institution, universities need to employ strategies that address significant gaps in harm reduction. This epidemic of violence only continues to increase as campuses become more diverse. With equity-deserving people being more than three times as likely to be assaulted, approaches to student wellness need to align with diverse socio-economic, cultural and racial circumstances.

Research shows that the consequences of sexual assault are devastating and far-reaching. Following an incident, achievement is significantly affected, and students become far more likely to experience academic challenges, including lower grade-point averages and increased likelihood of dropping out. Due to a variety of factors, sexual assault is the most under-reported crime. Survivors often feel too embarrassed or afraid to speak up about their experiences. Decades of victim-blaming have created huge ideological barriers to help, which compounds the traumatic effects of assault.

Reducing stigma and elevating care requires a full campus commitment

To gauge what level and types of support a student will receive on campus, understand who is involved in supporting their safety. Campuses that engage all levels of administration, faculty and students in a culture of care tend to build healthier communities. Through campus-wide strategies, these universities place their emphasis on prevention. They deliver programming that creates awareness around safety best practices, problematic behaviours and students’ shared responsibility in reducing the potential for harm. They also demonstrate a high degree of responsiveness to student needs, ensuring that all students feel heard when expressing their concerns.

One great example of how universities are innovating to improve community safety comes from Huron University in London, Canada. This prestigious post-secondary institution has created a Community Safety Office, which is one of two of its kind in Canada. This specialised office provides a confidential space where students can get advice, report an incident and co-create a safety plan. Empowered by the institution’s progressive Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Racism prevention policy, well-trained, compassionate professionals prioritise confidentiality and survivor-oriented approaches to physical, emotional and sexual violence.

“Huron has taken on a totally different approach to violence prevention than many other institutions,” shares Sarah Read, director of community safety at Huron University. “We are extremely proactive in our efforts to protect our students and equip them with the necessary information, values and techniques to facilitate healthy relationships, reduce prejudice and promote a culture of empowerment, acceptance and inclusivity.”

Access to personalised campus support leads to students feeling better cared for

Oversaturated campuses with a low staff-to-student ratio may be unable to respond to student needs in a timely and holistic fashion. Campuses where there is a higher ratio of staff to students more efficiently address student needs, as resources more effectively meet demand. These close-knit environments tend to be where you see a greater degree of personalised support, as each student’s unique circumstances are honoured and provided for.

When students are familiar with a university’s faculty and staff, there is a certain level of comfort in seeking help when needed. Rather than being one in a classroom of 1,000, a strategically small institution builds a sense of community and accountability, which are key components of student safety. Additionally, this commitment to empowerment means that students can readily access the help they need. Be it mental health counselling, self-defence coaching or dedicated campus foot patrol services, these initiatives build confidence, resilience and trust, while drastically reducing stigma around reporting.

Orientation Week: how a safety-first approach reduces risk and sets students up for success

When we consider that the majority of on-campus assaults occur within the first eight weeks of the school year, universities need to be hypervigilant about supplementing recreational programming with risk-reduction resources. This thoughtful approach to Orientation Week helps to keep fun at the celebration’s centre while positioning students for long-term success and wellness.

When deciding which school is right for your students, encourage them to look at all aspects of the university, including how they orientate students. Post-secondary institutions should offer newcomers a balanced schedule that fosters academic preparedness, coping skills and networking. For example, Huron University provides several options for student engagement that allow for varying comfort levels. In addition to having direct access to Sophs, which are dedicated Orientation Week leaders, students can forgo large parties to take part in mindfulness exercises; equity and diversity training; sightseeing and many other activities. Huron also offers a unique orientation programme designed specifically for international students to help them adjust to life in a new country.

From the moment students step on campus through to graduation day, the right university will nurture their potential while protecting their psychological, physical and emotional safety.

To learn more about how Huron University has distinguished itself as a leader in student safety, visit its website.

About Huron University

Established in 1863, Huron is the founding institution of Western University and one of Canada’s oldest universities. Huron is located in London, Ontario, one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, just two hours by train or car from Toronto.

Huron’s distinctive liberal arts, business and ethics-based programmes prepare students for leadership and professional success, while also developing their character. Class sizes are small and taught by tenured professors, and learning is collaborative, with a discussion-based approach. Huron is home to hundreds of international students, and is a national leader in offering merit-based scholarships.

Huron’s affiliation with Western University gives students all the benefits of a supportive, close-knit campus with ample residence space, plus all the amenities one would expect from a world-renowned institution. Being affiliated with one of Canada’s largest and most respected research universities means that students are visible and valued at Huron, while having full access to Western’s many clubs, courses and events. Huron students graduate with a Western degree.