Safety Awareness

Chapter 8

Objectives

Become aware of possible hazardous situations Identify the four classes of accidents and their contributing

factors Identify risks associated with drowsy driving Identify elements of a crime Identify steps in preventing a sexual assault Become aware of the prevalence of acquaintance rape Become aware of the prevalence of domestic violence Identify organizations that provide assistance to victims of

violent crime

Accident

“that occurrence in a sequence of events which usually produces unintended injury, death, or property damage”

Four Classes of accidents:Motor vehicleHome-relatedWorkPublic

Risks & Hazards

Hazard: a condition or set of conditions, which have the potential to produce injury/and or property damage

Risk: the probability that a hazard will be activated and produce injury/property damage

Contributing Factors

Alcohol and drug use

Attitudes

Emotions

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Leading cause of accidental deaths Speeding

Less time to react Longer time to stop Greater force at impact

Failure to yield right of way Entering an expressway/busy street Changing lanes

Motor Vehicle cont…

DWI Responsible for almost 50% of motor vehicle

accidents Disregarding Traffic Signals

Usually speeding in order to “beat the light” Driver Drowsiness

It happens frequently on long trips Usually involves male drivers under 30

Driver Drowsiness Prevention

Get a good night’s sleep Schedule regular stops Drive with a companion Avoid alcohol Avoid medications that may cause

drowsiness

Bicycle Safety

Wearing a helmet reduces risk of injury

Reduces the risk of serious head injuries by 85% and the risk of brain injury by 88%

Bicycle Safety cont…

Prevention

1) Wear your helmet correctly

2) Buy a helmet if it meets or exceeds CPSC standards

3) Obey all traffic laws!!!

4) At night, you must have proper reflectors

Personal SafetyIn order for a crime to take place, three elements

must exist:

1) Ability

2) Desire

3) Opportunity

Home

• Always keep doors and windows locked• Have adequate lighting• Do not open door to strangers• Do not give personal info. over the phone• Prepare records of personal items

Car

Keep doors and windows locked Park in well lit areas If being followed, do not go home Be aware of your surroundings at all times

College Campuses

Most common crime on campus is theft

Properly identify your personal property

Be cautious with the amount of personal information that you make available to the public

Campus cont…

Avoid Walking alone Do not leave personal possessions unattended Always notice other people Avoid taking shortcuts through campus Do not walk like a victim Always be aware of your surroundings Trust your instincts

Stalking

Common crime on college campuses Most stalkers are acquaintances If you know you are being stalked:

Be very direct Tell family, friends, co-workers Record everything that happens Break old routines Get a cell phone

Sexual Assault

Rape is not about sex, its about power

Most rape victims are women

1 out of 7 reported rapes, the victim is male

Rape can happen to anyone at any age

Majority of victims are under the age of 25

Prevalence cont…

• Estimated that only about 10% of rape cases are reported

• 68% or rape victims knew their assailant

• Between the ages of 16-24, almost 80% of the victims

knew their attacker

• 45% of rapists were under the influence of alcohol

Resistance to Sexual Assault

Active Resistance Screaming Running Using physical force

Passive Resistance Verbal persuasion Pleading Submission

Resistance cont…

Active resistance vs. Passive resistance

Your response depends on the answers to the following questions:

1) What am I capable of doing?

2) What is my attacker capable of doing?

3) Where am I? • Location: mall parking lot vs. a deserted park

Acquaintance Rape or Date Rape/Intimate Violence Unlikely for victims to report the rape Studies indicate that 1 in 8 college women will

be raped while in college and 84-90% knew their attacker

Most date rapes occur at either the victim’s home or the home of the attacker

Alcohol plays a significant role in date rapes involving college students

Ways to Reduce Risks of Acquaintance Rape

Don’t leave beverages unattended or accept

a drink from someone you don’t know

When you attend a party or club, go with

friends and leave with friends

Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Reduce Risks cont…

Don’t allow yourself to be isolated with

someone you don’t know

Know the level of intimacy you want in a

relationship and state your limits

Trust your instincts

Steps to Take if Rape Occurs

Go to a friend’s house or call someone you know DO NOT shower or attempt to clean yourself. Do not change clothes or remove any physical

evidence of the attack Call your local Rape Crisis Center Seek immediate medical attention & notify the

police If you are raped, it is NOT your fault!!!

Domestic Violence

This includes partner violence, family violence, spouse abuse, child abuse, and battering

Not always physical – psychological abuse can be equally as harmful

Leading cause of injury to women (ages 15-44) More than 50% of women are battered at

sometime in their lives

Summary

There are 4 classes of accidents The leading cause of accidental death is motor

vehicle accidents Follow anti-fatigue measures to reduce driver

drowsiness Wear a helmet to reduce the risk of death and

injury from bicycle accidents

Summary cont…

Ability, desire, & opportunity are the 3 elements that must exist for a crime to occur

By taking safety precautions, you are able to reduce the opportunity of becoming a victim

If attacked, you may choose either active resistance or passive resistance

Most rapes go unreported Majority of rape victims know their assailant

Summary cont…

There are several ways to reduce the risks of sexual assault

If rape occurs, there are several steps to follow Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury

to women between the ages of 15 & 44

Local Contacts Texas A&M University

Police dispatch (emergencies) 845-2345 Sexual Violence Education/Support 845-1107 Dial A Ride 847-RIDE Guard Room (Corps) 845-6789

Emergency 9-911 (On campus) 911 (Off campus)

Rape Crisis Center 731-1000

http://rapecrisis.txcyber.com

Contacts & Websites

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network 1-800-656-HOPE http://www.rainn.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE

National Victim Center 1-800-FYI-CALL