anarchyandscotch:

This is one of many flyers that are posted all over the IU campus today. The girl’s name is Lauren Spierer. She’s 20 years old and hasn’t been seen since leaving a party at 4:30 a.m. Friday. She walked home alone.

I’m posting this for two reasons.

First, in the very faint hope that someone might recognize this picture and know something.

But more importantly, as a reminder to any college students who follow me: don’t walk alone at night. I have read far too many police reports, sat in on far too many rape and murder trials, and listened to far too many cops talk about missing persons to maintain the illusion that a bucolic little Midwestern college town doesn’t have some very bad people who want to do very bad things. 

This isn’t a scare tactic. It’s playing the odds. A person walking alone is an infinitely more likely target than someone who is walking with at least one other person.

I have no idea where this young lady is or what happened to her. It is my sincere hope that this is a misunderstanding and she is safe and unharmed. And in no way am I suggesting that if, God forbid, something has happened to her, that she brought it on herself by walking alone.

I’m just saying there are steps you can take to lessen the likelihood that you will be targeted by someone with nefarious intentions. Having a friend walk you home at night - particularly if you have been drinking - is a big one.