Negligent College Campus and Dorm Room Security

Attacks on college campuses are a much bigger problem than many people realize. In 2005, 35,000 crimes were reported on college campuses in the United States. Sex crimes are an especially serious problem. According to the American Association of University Women, 20-25% of women are raped during their college years, and 65% of those go unreported. It is likely that college drinking contributes to the rate of campus and dorm room attacks. Approximately 75% of college sexual attacks involve alcohol. Colleges and universities should take steps to ensure that their students are safe, and when they negligently fail to provide adequate security, they might be held legally responsible.

• Be safe at night. Walk with a friend or a group, use campus escort programs, stay in well-lit areas, and be aware of your surroundings.
• Be careful when drinking. Make sure you are with friends who you trust and stick together. Know your limits. Don’t go home with a stranger.
• Strangers aren’t the only ones who can attack you, so date with caution. When you first start dating someone who you don’t know well, don’t get in a car with him or her. Meet in a public place. Go out with a group. Don’t drink too much on a date.
• Lock your doors. You might know everyone on your dorm floor or in your apartment complex and feel safe, but you still need to protect yourself.

Get medical attention right away. Especially if you have been sexually attacked, do not shower or take a bath. Report the attack to the police. Finally, call a personal injury lawyer if you suspect that you have been injured because of negligent security.

If you have been the victim of an attack on a college campus, you might be entitled to compensation from the college or university, and you should contact a lawyer. Altman & Altman LLP’s personal injury lawyers are among the best in Massachusetts. Call our outstanding personal injury attorneys at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 toll-free, or contact us online for a free consultation. We are available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to answer any questions that you might have.