My daughter has committed to IU for music program in the fall. I have stumbled upon some very concerning information about rapes, murders, disappearances and I am quite concerned about this. I know the music programs often have evening/night practices, rehearsals, performances - plenty of times where she will be out after dark. From what I’ve read, it is not safe to walk on campus alone. What kind of atmosphere is that? Will she have to call for an escort every day? I am so uncomfortable with this, I don’t know what to do. Can anyone tell me anything positive to calm my fears? I’m feeling like I should try to dissuade her from going there but it might be too late.
Congratulations to your daughter! Jacobs is an amazing program. There definitely are horror stories on campus, and my mom has expressed similar concerns, but I have generally felt safe on campus. My friends at other universities have received similar notifications about rapes and other crimes, so this is not an issue specific to IU. Your daughter should try to walk with others at night if she can, but I don’t think safety is a reason to avoid coming to IU. She will meet tons of people in her classes and will likely find people to walk with. I haven’t had much trouble that way in my two years here. Once I had a night exam and my professor even called in extra police to make sure we were safe getting home. I just try to be aware of my surroundings and walk with people if I can, and I have felt safe overall!
Thanks an42713, that actually makes me feel much better - but still a little nervous. Are there university busses? I read about safety escorts - are they readily available and convenient to use/do students actually use them? I really appreciate your input.
I wouldn’t say that it is not safe to walk on campus alone. My best friends on campus all live in McNutt, and I live in Wright, which is about a 10 minute walk. I frequently make this trip alone at night and have never seen anyone that looked suspicious, had any problems, or felt unsafe. The campus is actually very well-lit, and your daughter would not have any need to go past the last 2 areas where crimes have happened (Bryan Avenue which is off-campus, and the SRSC which is not really on the path to any dorm). I would just advise walking with other people when possible and like an42713 said, you are going to have some safety issues at any school you go to.
Don’t walk home alone after dark and stay alert–eg, don’t wear earbuds listening to music and being oblivious to your surroundings.
If you actually read about the background circumstances in many of these events, you will notice a trend. Many of the crimes were committed when the victim was intoxicated. (Not blaming the victim here–just pointing out a common circumstance). Many occurred while at parties away from the actual campus or visiting bars downtown. Most of the rapes were committed by a person known to the victim or a friend of a friend at a party. Emphasize to your daughter the importance of remaining with a group of reliable friends if she is drinking. Friends should stick together and make sure each one arrives safely in their home.
There are campus and city buses which students can use for free as part of their fees. Blue lights are found throughout campus. Everyone, on a college campus or not, needs to be alert and aware of surroundings. Don’t do stupid things.
I did actually read plenty of news articles, student reviews, Indiana Daily Student articles… yes, some of the victims were intoxicated, knew their attacker, knew someone who knew their attacker, ventured off campus to have drinks at a bar… a bit of victim blaming yes, and knowing your attacker or that it was a friend of a friend does not excuse it or make it any less of a horrific crime.
@MamaKitty Sending one’s daughter off to college is a scary experience. My daughter started at IU the fall after Lauren Spierer disappeared so it was very unsettling to move her in seeing “missing fliers” all over campus and downtown Bloomington. You are absolutely right that there are no excuses for the terrible crimes that have occurred on IU’s campus (and campuses across the country). And, what @rrah says is absolutely right too - our daughters and sons have to make smart decisions to stay safe. I didn’t take what rrah said as victim blaming - it’s making choices that will protect you from the awful actions of others.
My daughter graduates next weekend and will be moving across country for her job…and I’ll keep worrying about her safety 
Exactly @WistfulThinking. I am absolutely not blaming the victims. As you said, young people need to learn to make smart decisions BEFORE they go out drinking. While these crimes are horrible, one needs to be smart enough to not get into a situation where they can become a victim. It’s like walking the streets of a major city with a wide open purse and one’s wallet in clear view versus a closed, zipped up bag held close to the body. It’s like having your keys in hand while walking to your car at night. One can take preventative actions. It would be nice to live in a world without the fear of the horrible, but unfortunately that is not reality.
For what it’s worth, I know probably better than many how horrible these crimes are. Bloomington is my hometown. I’ve read about it regularly for the past 15 years. Lauren Spierer is still in the minds and hearts of locals. Just this week human remains were found in an isolated area nearby. First and foremost in the minds of locals was “Is it Lauren?” Hannah Wilson is in the minds of locals. We watch the details of the upcoming trial and hope for a guilty verdict. While these young people are part of community for a short time, we take an emotional hit when something bad happens to them in our town. They are one of “us” for the time they are here.
My daughter, an IU grad, was the same age as Lauren Spierer. She lived near campus when Lauren went missing. My son, also an IU grad, graduated last year when Hannah Wilson disappeared a week or so before she was set to graduate in the same ceremony. He also lived near campus. One of my nieces lives on campus right now.
BTW–Wisful–son also moved across the country for his job last year. It’s truly bittersweet, and we don’t ever stop worrying.
@MamaKitty–As @WistfullThinking said, I am ABSOLUTELY not blaming the victims. It would be nice if we lived in a world without fear of the horrible, but that is not reality. Each of us needs to take some personal responsibility to remain safe. It’s like taking my keys out of my purse before I walk through a parking lot at night. It’s like walking the streets of a large city with my bag open, wallet in view versus a zipped up bag held close to the body.
I probably know better than most posters here how horrible these things are. I live in Bloomington. I recall a recent week with 2-3 student reported sexual assaults by an acquaintance on/near campus. I lived through the days of continuous media updates following Lauren Spierer’s disappearance and the days of searches. Many of the volunteers searching the woods and trails and city were locals. I lived through the same last year when Hannah Wilson was murdered. While these young people are a part of our community for only a short time, they are one of “us” while here. We take an emotional hit when these things happen in our “home.”
My daughter is the same age as Lauren Spierer. She was an IU student living just off campus when Lauren disappeared. My son graduated from IU last year. He lived just blocks from Hannah Wilson. The graduation ceremony I attended was the same graduation ceremony that Hannah Wilson and her family should have been enjoying. One of my niece’s is currently an IU student living near campus. I understand the concern.
BTW @wistfulthinking --Son moved cross country after graduation. We will always worry about them.