By Daryl Nanayakara

A WEEK ago, I was having a conversation with a female schoolmate on MSN.

We discussed the case of the National University of Singapore (NUS) student who was sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant two weeks ago in Clementi Woods Park, which is just opposite the campus.

My friend and I discussed the possible reasons that would have compelled the student to take such a secluded route at that time of the night.

Was there a more brightly lit, but longer route she could have taken? Or was the short cut simply too convenient?

Either way, I concluded: "Not a very smart move."

My friend retorted: "It was near her campus! Who would have thought something like that would happen so near one's own school?"

Then, I asked her if she feels that our school campus is safe. Her reply astounded me.

She said: "Our campus is very safe. There are security guards around. Nothing can or will happen."

Her cavalier attitude towards her own safety worried me. I'm sure the poor NUS student felt likewise - that the route was a safe one since it was near her school.

The Sunday Times recently surveyed 60 students in three universities, most of which felt their campuses are safe.

However, they added that security measures within the campuses could be beefed up.

While it is crucial that campus security is tightened, what I'm most concerned about is the students' sense of complacency. They assume the onus is on the school to guarantee their safety.

Last week, I made several trips down to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and two polytechnics - Ngee Ann and Republic.

It was almost 9.30pm but I managed to saunter into all three institutions without being stopped by anyone.

I saw very few people - only three students jogging on the lit paths in the vast campus in NTU.

Over at the two polys, there were pockets of students - a few clustered at benches studying, and others about to leave after attending their co-curricular activities.

I spoke to about 15 of them in total - 13 said they felt very safe staying back, and only two would make it a point to leave school early.

"The school can get quite dark and scary," one girl said.

And I'm sure the schools' authorities make safety a top priority. After all, there are 120,000 students enrolled in NUS, NTU and the five polytechnics.

Some schools, for example, do not allow students to stay late.

At Ngee Ann, students must vacate the premises by 10.30pm or security guards will evict them. But these precautions will not work if the students don't abide by them.

I know a few of my peers who continue flouting the rules and play hide-and-seek with the guards just to finish their assignments.

It's time students realise they have no one else to blame but themselves if they get into trouble.

myp@sph.com.sg

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