Sacramento State reported to increase its campus security after five sexual assaults since September.

Having just moved to Sacramento in August, I always keep my guard up in an area where I don't know many people or my surroundings. Once while parking my car in my apartment carport, my girlfriend noticed a man standing next to the nearby dumpster. We made sure to stay out of his range of vision and quietly walk out of the carport. Another instance of caution is when I noticed a cup and a chair by the aforementioned carport and fresh graffiti on a nearby wall.

In the university setting at CSUS, there are escort services and usually a room of fellow students you just walked out of the classroom for people who walk around at night. Staying in a group is a good way to let an offender know that trying something wrong is a bad idea.

When I walk around at night I always pay attention to my surroundings as if I were defensively driving a car, watching for any points of danger. If I think something is going to happen, there is always a way around a problem. If you feel like you are being followed, start walking to a public area and make yourself a part of a group. Make sure to not make yourself an easy target by not being distracted with headphones or looking down at a cellphone.

In the situation where the confrontation has already occurred, you have to use what you have to get yourself out of danger. Screaming is a natural reaction, but improvising self defense out of a car key or jamming your beloved iphone at the right spot can do the right damage. Even better self defense items are those used for self defense, like cheap pepper spray or a whistle.

Next time you are on your routine walk to the car imagine where things can go wrong and see where things can go wrong. Bring an escort if you need to.