Recently, sexual violence or abuse cases often happen in students’ circles. Campuses are supposed to be a place to grow, learn, and expand relations, instead they turn into an unsafe place for most students. Not only do those cases affect the victim physically and emotionally, they also cause fear and anxiety in the minds of either the victim or people who want to join a new environment. Therefore, it’s important for every individual to know the concept and steps of self defense so that they can protect themselves and others.
Dr. Nindi Aristi, M.Comn, the Head of Communication Science Study Programme, gave some advice that can help students protect themselves in social environments like in campuses. Firstly, when we’re in a social interaction, we have to pay attention to the situation that we’re facing. We have to be able to recognise the people we’re meeting. If we don’t recognise them, then ask someone we know, like a friend, to accompany us. Secondly, if we have to travel alone, it’s best to inform someone who’s close to us about our plans so that they know our location even if we went radio silent for a long time.
We also have to be able to create boundaries in social environments. Even though we’d want to fit in into new environments whether in college, career, or other situations, we have to remember that there are certain limits especially for jokes from others, considering most sexual abuse are coated in sexist humor or humor that touches on a personal subject. If said jokes are brought up, we can show our disapproval through gestures. Also, as a Communication Science student, we can use our non-verbal communication knowledge to identify the negative behaviors that others did towards us or other people.
If we experience sexual abuse on campus grounds, we have to try our best to document what happened. That evidence has to be well protected and known only by us and the people we trust. Secondly, we can report the incident to the authorities. In Universitas Padjadjaran we can report to the Task Force for Preventing and Handling Sexual Violence, or to the Head of the Study Programme. We can also report to law enforcement agencies like the police with accompaniment from the students’ organisation, Head of the Study Program, or the Task Force for Sexual Violence. Thirdly, we have to immediately check on our health condition whether physically or mentally so that we can get immediate medical help. Then, the most important part is the victim needs to be accompanied, strengthened, and supported by others so that the victim wouldn’t feel alone in facing the case.
These are the suggestions given by Miss Nindi. It is hoped that her advice can help students to protect themselves and others, especially from sexual abuse cases in social environments. (Ed)