et rime Balen See SF ao ema reenter Sane simoaaspaaananee eos see ae Phys cal satet ANNETTE MARTIN _ few years ago, a physical safety audit was conducted at Douglas College. When the results were published, Facilities Services took immediate action to rectify problems and act on the recommendations that ensued from that audit. One identified problem was inadequate signage around the campus, which has been improved over the last few years. But for students and staff who puff and pant up the stairwells only to come face to face with those annoying, ‘Information level 2’ signs at every exit, there will soon be a chance to demand extra large, “You are now on level one (or three or four)’ signs. This semester, another audit will be car- ried out at the New Westminster campus, and next semester there will probably be an audit of the David Lam campus in Coquitlam. Women's Centre coordinator, Caroline Jerome, wants to find out what fur- ther improvements could be suggested. She commented, “What's important for me around women's personal safety issues is that we have an audit, and we ask women what they feel needs to be addressed to make the college a safer place. I can't articulate that for everyone on campus. But I think if you work here, day in and day out, you may have some concerns. If you work here at night you may have some concerns, and if you're a student coming in at different hours on dif- ferent days you might have some concerns. “What I see on the physical audit is everyone giving an opinion and feedback on ways and means in which we can improve the college. We'll be looking for feedback from people who are newer to the college and [who] aren't as familiar with the [last] upgrading. Personally, I think the signs have improved over the years. When I first came here I felt I was constantly lost, but I am aware of the improvements because I was involved in them.” Jerome feels that other safety improve- ments include better lighting, and more emergency telephones located near the parkade elevators. But she thinks that, “Tt will be good to have someone who's come in since the last audit was done, to look at it again,” and she added, “we'll be asking for everyone's participation in identifying areas we need to look at.” When the work study proposals are approved, two students will be conducting the physical safety audit. They will be using the Metrac safety guide model, with Jerome providing guidelines and experience. She says, “We'll be using the method of inter- viewing the students, interviewing the staff and putting forward questionnaires for peo- ple to fill out. [f we set it up in the con- course and try to be there two days a week, for | perhaps] a month, maybe we can con- tact everybody.” Weekend and evening class students and staff won't be left out of the audit either, as Jerome hopes to distribute questionnaires to them and thus broaden the scope of the audit. It is important that all members of the Douglas College com- munity are consulted, and Jerome says, “My Words from the Women’s Centre Coordinato dit of Douglas to be held this year concern when we do the safety audit this time, is to ensure that the challenged people are involved. I think we have to try and address the needs of those people too.” Areas of concern ther areas of concern for Jerome include “the SkyTrain and the kind of problems it poses at night,” and “the issue of when women report an incident about harassment, or they're being followed or they're being stalked. I guess I'd like to see a little more connected-ness between all of us who are involved. That would involve sharing of information around problems when they're reported. I'd like to know what women think about that.” She's also concerned about unpopulated ‘pockets’ around the college where strangers can enter. “There's a lot of thieving going on” she said. “They climb into areas and hide. People have moved ceiling tiles, getting up into there and climbing through into offices. So there's going to be some analysis of that. But having said that, the college is a public place and the public cannot be denied access.” “T think some of the stairwells need to be looked at. There's still a couple of them where people can stay out of sight until youre right up on them.” She mentioned the two locked stairwells at the east and west sides of the building, which could create panic for someone who didn’ realize that there is no access to the upper floors. “It’s good from one point of view [deterring thefts] but [not from] the other side if youre trapped in there” she said. “I think we somehow need to address that.” “Another thing is people who use the gymnasium. That door on the back corridor by the weight room should be kept closed, and people wedge it open with mats so other people can come through. There's a few issues around that weight room and safety for women—and I guess for men too—and it should be locked at. How safe is it? Also, that part of the athletics depart- ment where you can leave your clothes and do the weight training, or go for a run, that’s sort of a concern.” (The weight room is currently closed or iaspection. -Ed.) Promoting issues of personal safety on campus he Women’s Centre <» sponsors (with Facilities) Wenlido traning every semester, by providing space and advertising for the program. It is underwritten by funding from the Safer Campus initiative. It’s free to all women, in the college or in the community, and is offered on all three campuses. Jerome says, “Jennifer Kirkey is the woman fitness instructor and she’s totally committed to women’s safety, and has done these workshops forever. She’s very good. There's a lot of yelling, but it’s useful just to go for the information on how to pay attention. [The program] definitely keys on how to pay attention [to what is happening around you] and assessing a situation »her something is happening to you. [s it always worth fighting for, or is flight a better option?” You don't have to be really physically fit to participate. Women with disabilities ca also benefit from Wenlido classes. They would be pro- vided a space to sit down and could still take in the information aspect of the pro- gram. “Jennifer is very inclusive in her approach” says Jerome, “So if someone came with different needs, she would help them, [In Jennifer] we've got someone who is very well aware, and committed to the issue of safety.” ~ college are questioned about what they ar Wenlido starts this week. At the David Lam campus the first class is on Wednesd. September 23 from noon to 2 pm in roo A1430; at New Westminster it’s Thursday, September 24 from noon to 2 pm in roo 4243 and at Thomas Haney Centre there will be a one-day workshop on Monday, September 28 from I to 3 pm. Jerome ad that, “If women [have] a need for other hours because the workshops that are sche uled don't suit their personal time-tables, they could contact the Women's Centre coordinator at 527-5148, and we would tr and address that and [put on] additional workshops.” Other services that can help aroline Jerome agrees with Douglas College President Susan Witter, w thinks that personal safety can be enhanced by personal awareness. Jerome says, “Personal awareness for young women—and even older women—is very important and can't be stressed enough.” the Women’s Centre, she maintains an extensive resource library that is, “related t community services around violence again women, victimization and legal rights.” There is an on-going need for this type of. literature on transition houses, battering a’ abuse, and the centre fills that need. Later this semester, Jerome will be advertising workshops of interest to women on, ‘Setti boundaries’ and, ‘Body-imagery, which wi be advertised extensively when dates are finalized. Safety, security and walks erome’s advice, “when people have a problem around physical safety” is t “the first line of defence is going to the information booth and the security desk.” She says that, “I’ve always found th security people helpful. I think they could be a little more enlightened around the situation of letting people wander throug the college, but that should be the administration's responsibility to make sur that people who have no business in the doing.” (This could be a difficult dilemm, as the public cannot be denied access to a public building.) But on the subject of Safe Walk, Jerom is quite clear. “I have to say that I really support the Safe Walk program. I remem! when it got going, so just to have it is suc an improvement over what we didn’t have before. I want to be able to say I think th program is a good one, and it supports th college’s claim to provide a safe environm for women, but as to whether they can go farther depending on the days that they're [available], I really can’t comment. “T think we have to hear all the voices, hear everyone's voice and try to address th issues as people raise them, that’s what I think is important. We need to [hear] thei point of view.” Page 6 September 231998 The Other Press