Hints and tips on how to keep yourself and your friends safe

Sheffield is a great student city, with great clubs and nights out; to make the most of your time in Sheffield it's important that you stay safe! Students can often be targeted by burglars or thieves, and it's easy to become a victim of crime through absoutely no fault of your own, so here are a few tips on how to make sure you're as safe as possible during your time at University!

Although Sheffield is one of the safest cities in the UK, it's still important to keep your wits about you, stay safe AND have fun, so here's some advice how:

Consent

Sexual violence, harassment, abuse and hate crime

Sheffield Hallam is a safe and tolerant community. We don't stand for harassment or abuse. If you have experienced sexual violence, harassment, abuse or hate crime report it. You can do this anonymously or you can get support from an advisor. Find out more.

The concept of consent is easy: if someone wants to engage in sexual intercourse, they will give their consent - in other words, they will agree. There is no confusion and there are no blurred lines when it comes to sexual activity - unless someone has explicitly consented, don't try to have sex with them. If someone is unable to give consent (underage, drunk, etc.), they have not given consent, and should not be persuaded, pressured or forced to do anything.

Think of consent like asking someone if they want a cup of tea!

Travel

• If you are walking at night, keep to well-lit, busy streets, main roads and footpaths. Avoid badly lit areas, parks, and alleyways.
   
• Plan ahead, particularly if you're going to a part of town you don't know. Know how you will get home and let someone know where you're going and what time you expect to be back.
   
• If you use public transport at night, sit near the driver on a bus or a tram, and in an occupied carriage on a train.
   
• Pre-book a licensed taxi with City Taxis using their free booking app, or know the locations of official taxi ranks.
   
• If you don't have money for a taxi, use your SHU Card to travel with the Safe Taxi Scheme we have set up with City Taxis - phone 0114 239 3939 and quote 'Hallam Safe Taxi Scheme.' You can leave your SHU Card as deposit for your fare which you can pay later at the HUBS reception and have your SHU Card returned.
   
• Always leave a venue, club, or pub with a friend or a group of friends. If you do have to leave early, let your friends know, travel in a licensed taxi, and text your friends to let them know you are safely home.
   

Possessions

• Ensure your mobile phone is charged and is in credit. Keep the money you need to get home separate, so that you don't spend it.
   
• If your phone runs out of charge, we have a free phone charging unit for students to use in our Hideout bar at The HUBS.
   
• Keep handbags, purses, wallets and mobile phones out of sight and in a safe place at all times.
   
• Don't carry large amounts of cash and keep a secure record of your card numbers, or serial numbers of valuable electronics.
   
• Avoid using ATMs at night when you are alone.

Emergencies

• University Security provides advice and assistance for students on campus 24 hours a day 365 days a year - all security controllers and patrollers are trained first aiders.
   
• If you need the police, fire or ambulance services in an emergency, call 999 free from any phone.
   
• There is a separate 101 number for the police in non-emergency situations, save this in your phone.
   
• Report suspicious incidents to University Security (0114 225 2000) or the police.