Most college dorm essentials checklists are filled with items that are essentially things that students would like to have in their dorm rooms, a lot of them not being so essential. College dorm and campus crime statistics tell us that a complete checklist of college dorm essentials should include, if not start with, a few items to help a student living at school protect them self and the knowledge to help them avoid dangerous situations.

Young men and young women living at school and especially those who are going away for the first time need to be aware of the possible dangers that can exist. This includes dangerous habits and actions of their own. They also need to know how to best avoid them. Of course this applies to both men and women but this article is intended more for young women who will live on as well as off campus and what is often overlooked as college dorm essentials. Women in college face a very particular danger, which is sexual assault.

The National Center for Victims of Crimes' website, ncvc.org reported in the year 2000 that one out of four women will be sexually assaulted on a college campus. The Center for Disease Control in a 2007 report said "An estimated 20% to 25% of college women in the United States experience attempted or complete rape during their college career". The percentages have dropped slightly but hardly enough to make anyone feel safer by the numbers alone.

These agencies also say that the statistics underestimate the problem. Many cases are not reported because victims are afraid, ashamed or embarrassed to tell the police, friends, or family about the abuse, as well as other personal reasons. This information can be scary but it certainly does not mean that women should not live in college dorms. These numbers also show us that not enough has been done concerning awareness in this area. Putting the knowledge and ability to protect yourself from these situations in the number one spot on your list of college dorm essentials will make your time living at school a lot safer and a lot more rewarding.dorm checklist

Fortunately, even the United States Government has acknowledged the need for sexual assault awareness. As of 2010, the month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States. The goal is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. A good resource is The Center for Disease Control who provides a good deal of information on preventing sexual assault. Should you become a victim and if you feel you need it, you can find helpful information on how to better deal with your situation at The National Crime Victims Center

Next on the college dorm essentials list should be a few items that can be very helpful in assisting with personal protection. Items like, a dorm room alarm, a personal alarm and even pepper spray. These things combined with the information needed to use them properly and the knowledge and awareness to help you avoid a bad situation is the best defense a young woman can have.