Personal Safety

Everyday Personal Safety

Personal safety starts with planning ahead, staying aware of your surroundings, and knowing how to get help when you need it.

• Plan your route before leaving and use well-lit, familiar paths
• Let someone you trust know where you are going and when you expect to arrive
• Keep your phone charged and important contact numbers available
• Stay alert and limit distractions when walking or travelling
• Trust your instincts and move to a safer location if something does not feel right
• Contact Western Special Constable Service when you need assistance or want to report a concern

No safety strategy can prevent every incident. Responsibility always rests with the person who chooses to cause harm.

Walking and Travelling on Campus

Plan your route, stay aware of changing conditions, and use available campus safety services when travelling, especially after dark or when campus is quieter.

• Use well-lit, populated routes whenever possible
• Avoid shortcuts through isolated or poorly lit areas
• Keep headphones at a volume that allows you to hear your surroundings
• Walk with others when possible and let someone know your plans
• Use Blue Emergency Phones if you need immediate assistance
• Contact Foot Patrol or the Work Safe Program when those services are available and appropriate

Western safety services do not provide rides or transportation.

At Home, in Residence, or in Your Workspace

Simple habits can help reduce opportunities for theft, unauthorized access, and other safety concerns where you live, study, or work.

• Lock doors and windows when you leave, even for a short time
• Do not allow unknown people to enter secure areas behind you
• Keep keys, access cards, identification, and valuables secure
• Report damaged locks, doors, lighting, or other security concerns promptly
• Avoid sharing access codes, keys, or card credentials
• Contact WSCS if you notice suspicious activity or believe someone has entered an area without authorization

In an emergency or when someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Social Situations and Personal Boundaries

You have the right to set boundaries, leave an uncomfortable situation, and ask for help at any time.

• Make plans with people you trust and arrange how you will get home
• Stay connected with friends and check in with one another
• Respect other people’s boundaries and communicate your own clearly
• Do not leave a friend alone if they may need help
• Move to a safer location if someone’s behaviour concerns you
• Contact 911 or WSCS when there is an immediate safety concern

No one is responsible for harm caused by another person’s actions.

If Something Does Not Feel Right

Trust your instincts and take action early. You do not need to wait for a situation to become an emergency before seeking help.

• Move to a busy, well-lit, or secure location
• Contact someone you trust and tell them where you are
• Call WSCS at 519-661-3300 for urgent campus safety concerns that are not emergencies
• Use a Blue Emergency Phone if one is nearby
• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety
• Report concerning behaviour, suspicious activity, or unsafe conditions as soon as possible

Provide your exact location and a clear description of what is happening.

Getting Help and Reporting a Concern

Contact the appropriate service based on the urgency of the situation.

• Call 911 for an immediate threat to life, a crime in progress, a fire, or a medical emergency
• Call WSCS at 519-661-3300 for urgent campus safety concerns that are not emergencies
• Use Report a Concern for non-urgent safety information, suspicious activity, or unsafe conditions
• Use a Blue Emergency Phone when you need immediate assistance from a campus location