Students Handbook

Student safety

Personal safety and security are a matter of common sense and awareness. Below are a few tips for your personal safety.

Safety and Useful Tips When You Are Out And About

Walk in well-lit areas
Walk mid-point between travelled routes between buildings
Try to walk with a group of people
Use caution when using elevators, isolated stairways, or toilet areas.
Plan the safest route to your destination and use it. Stick to the main roads if possible. Never hitchhike!
Remain alert. Use your peripheral vision. Wearing headphones may decrease your awareness.
If approached, maintain a comfortable distance while you answer a question or give directions. Never turn your back on someone who has approached you.
Try and arrange a lift home from a friend or a taxi if you are going out late. Get dropped off as close to your door as possible.

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Avoid using ATM’s in dark or lonely places.
Don’t openly carry valuables, including iPods, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
Find suitable and safe routes to petrol stations, shops, and your local police station. Try to find routes that are well lit and busy.
Avoid confrontation – it is better and safer to walk away if you are being provoked.
If you feel you are being followed, cross the street, and if you are still worried, move as quickly as possible to a public area (such as a restaurant) and then telephone for help.
At night, walk in pairs in well-lit areas and on busier streets, not dark alleyways and side-streets.
Have your keys ready well before you reach the door of your car or house.
If you are going away, tell someone you trust where you are going and when you will be back.
If travelling by bus or train at night, try not to wait alone at the bus or train stops. Arrange for others to meet you at your home stop if you are returning late and have a long way to walk home.

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If you suspect you are being followed

Be suspicious – keep looking behind you, so the person knows you cannot be surprised.
Cross the street or change direction.
Go to a well-lit area, enter a residence or building where there are people and phones.
Approach a Security or Traffic Officer and request assistance.
Do not wear a personal stereo or play music so loudly that you are unaware of your surroundings.

Here are some more tips that will help you stay safe on public transit such as buses and trains.

Stay Safe On Public Transit:

If you are travelling by train at night, do not sit in an empty carriage. Try to sit near groups of people in a well-lit area.
Check the time of the last train or bus home to avoid being stranded at night.
Avoid walking alone after getting off public transport at night. If you can, walk close to a group of people or arrange for someone to meet you.

Safety on campus

Staff and student behaviour

The College has rules about the way students and staff should behave towards you. If you feel at all uncomfortable about anyone’s behaviour towards you (either student or staff), it is important that you talk to the Student Services Officer or your Trainer & Assessor. You can also talk to the Group Welfare Counsellor in private. See your SSO for arranging an appointment

Your Safety On Public Transport

Don’t stand alone while waiting for bus or train, especially at night. Stand with other people.
If you’re on a bus or train and it’s nearly empty, sit near the bus driver or as close as possible to the guard’s compartment.
At the railway station, stand back from the edge of the platform. Avoid sitting near the exit door of the train as an attacker may be able to grab your property and run before you can react.
When disembarking from public transport, walk with other commuter.

If travelling by taxi, remembers the driver’s identification number displayed on the dashboard. There should also be a photo of the driver, if it is not there don’t get in. Once you’ve reached your destination, ask the driver to wait until you have safely entered.
If you are catching a bus, check the timetable before so that you are not waiting at the bus stop for long periods. Select a well-lit bus stop at night and make sure that you can see the area around you.

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Personal Safety When Driving

Plan the safest route to your destination and avoid isolated roads especially at night.
Be alert when walking to your car and always have your keys ready.
Before you open the door, check the rear seat and luggage compartment.
Lock your car once you’re inside it. Keep your windows up when travelling alone.
If your car breaks down, move the vehicle off the roadway if possible, raise the bonnet, activate the hazard lights and then lock yourself inside the vehicle call NRMA 13 11 11. Wait for an emergency vehicle to offer assistance.
If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest Police, Fire or Service Station for assistance. Don’t drive home.
Make sure you always have enough fuel in your vehicle.
Never pick up hitchhikers.

Handbag Snatching

Keep your handbag in front of your body, avoid dangling it by your side from your hand or shoulder.
Be aware of people coming from behind – even on motorbikes and cars.
Never leave your bag on a shopping trolley – or at your feet or on the hook of the door in a public toilet – always keep it with you.
When you put money in your handbag, don’t let people see where you put it – especially when you are using an ATM.
Be constantly aware of what valuables are in your bag – eg. driver’s licence and credit cards.
If your bag is taken, immediately cancel any credit cards, and change your house locks as soon as possible. Report to the police.
When packing groceries into your car, never leave your handbag on the boot or roof of your car. Thieves are watching and can easily grab your property. Always leave your bag locked inside your car when you are packing groceries away.

China	Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China	Array
India	India Consulate General of India, Melbourne	High Commission of India in Australia, ACT	Array, Array
Indonesia	Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia	Array
Korea	Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea	Array
Malaysia	Consulate of Malaysia	Array
Oman	Consulate-General of the Sultanate of Oman	Array
Pakistan	Consulate-General of Pakistan	Array
Saudi Arabia	Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission	Array
Sri Lanka	Consulate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka	Array
Thailand	Royal Thai Consulate-General	Array
United Arab Emirates	Embassy of the United Arab Emirates	Array
Vietnam	Consulate-General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam	Array

REMEMBER: If confronted by somebody trying to take your bag, give it to them. No amount of money or inconvenience is worth serious injury.

Astley English College is an excellent choice. We offer courses with a flexible morning (only 3 days a week!) and evening timetable. Contact us now to enrol in our courses.

Student safety

If you suspect you are being followed

Your Safety On Public Transport

Personal Safety When Driving

Handbag Snatching

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