Safety

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Useful Tips When You Are Out And About

• Walk in well lit areas
• Walk mid-point between travelled routes between buildings
• Try to walk with a group of people
• Use caution when using elevators, isolated stairways, or toilet areas.
• Plan the safest route to your destination and use it. Stick to the main roads if possible. Never hitchhike!
• Remain alert. Use your peripheral vision. Wearing headphone may decrease your awareness.
• If approached, maintain a comfortable distance while you answer a question or give directions. Never turn your back on someone who has approached you.
• Try and arrange a lift home from a friend or a taxi if you are going out late. Get dropped off as close to your door as possible.
• Avoid using ATM’s in dark or lonely places.

If you suspect you are being followed

• Be suspicious – keep looking behind you, so the person knows you cannot be surprised.
• Cross the street or change direction.
• Go to a well-lit area, enter a residence or building where there are people and phones.
• Approach a Security or Traffic Officer and request assistance.
• Do not wear a personal stereo or play music so loudly that you are unaware of your surroundings.
• If you are on campus, contact Security on 3138 5585 or dial extension 85585 on any internal phone.

Safety on campus

On campus at night
If you have night lectures you may use the QUT Night Shuttle bus http://www.fmd.qut.edu.au/campus_services/shuttle/night_security_bus.jsp to take you back into the city. In addition, QUT Security officers will escort students between buildings and campus car parks if you feel unsafe. To arrange this, please call extension 82040 for Gardens Point campus or extension 83940 for Kelvin Grove and Carseldine campuses.

The Botanical Gardens next to QUT are lonely and dark at night and it is very unsafe to walk through there or near there at night. 

Staff and student behaviour
QUT has rules about the way students and staff should behave towards you.  If you feel at all uncomfortable about anyone’s behaviour towards you (either student or staff), it is important that you talk to an International Student Adviser or a Counsellor in private.

QUT Security office – go to http://www.fmd.qut.edu.au/security/ for more  information about staying safe.

Personal Safety On Public Transport

• Don’t stand alone while waiting for bus or train, especially at night. Stand with other people.
• If you’re on a bus or train and it’s nearly empty, sit near the bus driver or as close as possible to the guard’s compartment.
• At the railway station, stand back from the edge of the platform. Avoid sitting near the exit door of the train as an attacker may be able to grab your property and run before you can react.
• When disembarking from public transport, walk with other commuter.
• If travelling by taxi, remembers the driver’s identification number displayed on the dashboard. There should also be a photo of the driver, if it is not there don’t get in. Once you’ve reached your destination, ask the driver to wait until you have safely entered.
• If you are catching a bus, check the timetable before so that you are not waiting at the bus stop for long periods. Select a well-lit bus stop at night and make sure that you can see the area around you.

Personal Safety When Driving

• Plan the safest route to your destination and avoid isolated roads especially at night.
• Be alert when walking to your car and always have your keys ready.
• Before you open the door, check the rear seat and luggage compartment.
• Lock your car once you’re inside it. Keep your windows up when travelling alone.
• If your car breaks down, move the vehicle off the roadway if possible, raise the bonnet, activate the hazard lights and then lock yourself inside the vehicle call RACQ - 131111. Wait for an emergency vehicle to offer assistance.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest Police, Fire or Service Station for assistance. Don’t drive home.
• Make sure you always have enough fuel in your vehicle.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.

Handbag Snatching

• Keep your handbag in front of your body, avoid dangling it by your side from your hand or shoulder.
• Be aware of people coming from behind – even on motorbikes and cars.
• Never leave your bag on a shopping trolley – or at your feet or on the hook of the door in a public toilet – always keep it with you.
• When you put money in your handbag, don’t let people see where you put it – especially when you are using an ATM.
• Be constantly aware of what valuables are in your bag – eg. driver’s licence and credit cards.
• If your bag is taken, immediately cancel any credit cards, and change your house locks as soon as possible. Report to the police.
• When packing groceries into your car, never leave your handbag on the boot or roof of your car. Thieves are watching and can easily grab your property. Always leave your bag locked inside your car when you are packing groceries away.

REMEMBER: If confronted by somebody trying to take your bag, give it to them. No amount of money or inconvenience is worth serious injury.

Useful Links

• QUT Security
• Brisbane City Council - Personal Safety Program
• Queensland Police Service
• List of Embassies & Consulates in Australia