The University of Wisconsin at Madison Police Department issued an apology Wednesday after a list of safety tips posted to the department's website was criticized for appearing to blame victims of campus crimes, particularly survivors of sexual assault.
"We realized some wording should have been phrased better and in a more sensitive nature," the department stated in an editor's note attached to the now-revised list. "For that, we apologize."
The post, called "Tools You Can Use," was originally titled "Shedding the Victim Persona: Staying Safe on Campus." That title, as well as a passage telling students to "make yourself a hard target" prompted a harsh backlash on blogs and social media. The controversy emerged at a time when many advocates for women on campus are accusing colleges of not doing enough to prevent sexual assault, with administrators often telling women how not to get raped rather than telling men not to commit rape.
"A victim looks like a victim," the post originally read. "If you move from one destination to another, and the only thing you recall about the trip is the last text message you received, then there’s a problem. The military calls it 'keeping your head on a swivel' and it’s probably the most important thing you can do to ensure your safety. If you present yourself as easy prey, then expect to attract some wolves."
Read more at Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/10/10/u-wisconsin-faces-criticism-over-list-safety-tips