Safety Tips
Emergency Procedures
Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment to live, learn and work. All members of the Laurier community should familiarize themselves with our emergency procedures.
General Tips
Make smart choices.
We strongly encourage our students to make smart choices and engage in safe and respectful behaviours. We want to ensure our Laurier community and broader community are safe.
- Always carry identification with you in case you need assistance and identification is required.
- Look out for your friends. If you see something, say something. If you or a friend need help, ask for it. If you need help:
- download the SAFEHawk app,
- contact Special Constables at 519.885.3333 in Waterloo or 519.770.3778 in Brantford, or
- call 911.
- Stick together, never leave a friend behind and ensure you all make it home safely. Designate one person to make sound decisions and provide help.
- You are accountable for your actions. Violation of laws or university policies are addressed under the Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct in addition to any legal proceedings. Sanctions under the code range from a meeting or restitution for damages to suspension or expulsion.
- Travel safely and whenever possible, walk with at least one friend, in well-lit areas and in view of other pedestrians or motorists. Make use of Foot Patrol by calling 519.886.3668. Be respectful of our neighbours’ homes and properties when travelling to and from events. We are all part of the same community!
Alcohol and Drugs
- If you are of legal age to drink and choose to consume alcohol, drink responsibly, know your limits, pay attention to others’ sexual boundaries and don’t drink and drive. For tips, visit drinksmart.ca/tips.
- If you are of legal age and choose to smoke or consume cannabis, make sure you do so responsibly. Cannabis consumption, including edible products, is not permitted on Laurier property. Learn more about cannabis use.
- Selling alcohol at keg parties is illegal. Charging money for people to consume alcohol, even when promoted as a ‘cleanup fee’ or a ‘bracelet fee,' is still considered selling alcohol under the law.
- If purchasing alcohol, do so from a licensed establishment, be of legal drinking age, drink responsibly, and arrange a safe way home.
Drink Spiking Safety
A night out with your friends should always be a fun experience. But always be aware of the people around you and the drinks you're consuming.
- Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be home.
- When going out try to avoid going alone.
- Be aware of what is going on around you.
- Avoid situations you are uncomfortable with.
- Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust.
- Do not drink something you did not open or see being opened or poured.
- Do not leave your drink unattended.
- Remember: drugs can be put in soft drinks, tea, coffee, etc., as well as alcohol.
- When drinking from a bottle, keep your thumb over the top.
- If you return to your drink and it has been moved, looks different, appears to have been topped-up, or and/or tastes strange do not take a chance – discard it.
- If you begin to feel really drunk after only one or two drinks, seek help from a trusted friend, or a staff member of the establishment. Get to a safe place as soon as possible.
If you are drinking, be aware of your alcohol tolerance. The symptoms of these drugs vary, but victims often report blurred vision and memory loss. Effects can start within minutes of consuming the drink.
Warning signs include:
- Feeling dizzy or faint.
- Feeling sick or sleepy.
- Feeling intoxicated or confused even if you have only had a little alcohol to drink.
- Passing out.
- Waking up feeling uncomfortable and disorientated, with memory blanks of the night before.
If you are with a friend you trust, tell them why you are worried. Get them to help you home but be careful who you trust – statistics suggest 70% of victims know their attacker.
If you are at a bar or restaurant, talk to one of the employees or a manager and ask for help. Don’t let a stranger help you – they could be the person who spiked your drink.
Reporting the Incident
Report the incident to the Laurier Special Constable Service or your local police service as soon as possible. Most of the drugs used leave the body very quickly. The sooner you are tested the more likely the drug is still in your system.
If you fear you have been sexually assaulted while drugged, report it. Have a friend accompany you. Make sure you also visit your doctor or a medical clinic. Never forget the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Access Laurier resources for support.
Consent
- At Laurier we know that it is mandatory, and the bare minimum, to get consent for all sexual encounters. For tips and information about consent, visit consentisgolden.ca/consent website, which gives information on the ways alcohol and drug use impacts people's ability to give and receive consent.
- If you or a friend needs help, ask for it.
- If you see behaviour that is making you feel concerned about sexual violence, engage with CARE:
- Create a distraction,
- Ask Directly,
- Rally others, and
- Extend/seek out support(s).
- Most importantly be an active bystander. If you see something, say something.
- Keep resources handy on your phone by downloading the SAFEHawk app or contact Special Constables at x3333.
Street Behaviour
- Laurier does not condone large unsanctioned gatherings as they are a safety risk to participants, first responders and neighbours
- Consuming alcohol in public areas is prohibited and can result in a $125 ticket.
- Waterloo Regional Police will be patrolling on foot, in cruisers and on bicycles to support safe activities.
- Parking and noise bylaws will be in place.
Fines
- All tenants on a property lease are equally responsible for all activities at their residence.
- Compliance officers will focus on noise issues, public urination, garbage, and property standards.
- Officers will charge tenants at their doors (all responsible parties on the lease) and require them to clean-up while the officer is onsite. A Part III summons to court may be issued for any offence.
- It is an offence to:
- Litter or urinate in public (fine: $400)
- Have excessive garbage in your yard (fine: $100/$400 for a subsequent offence and possible City clean-up fee)
- Make excessive noise (fine: $400)
- Nuisance Party (fine: $800/$1,200 for a subsequent offence)
- Nuisance Noise at designated times (fine: $800/$1,200 subsequent offence)
- Set off a false fire alarm (fine: $179.11 per hour, per firefighter)