or you can all hide in your rooms with foil helmets. or get a gun. or a taser. for $45 you can get a taswer that will knock anyone on their ass.

[Editor's Note:Please keep the comments on topic.]

You're kidding right? So because of some jerks who get off on attacking women then all women should be inside by dark? Yes, it is our responsibility to protect ourselves as best we can, hiding in your room is not the answer. This to me equates to someone saying, "Well, if you don't want to get raped you'd better not wear low-cut/revealing clothes." This is a load of crap just as your "get inside by dark" comment is. The people who need to be responsible for this behavior are those doing it - not the woman who is attacked. I have the right to walk across campus at any hour of the day or night and expect that I will be safe. *That* is part of what A&M is about. Hiding is not an option. Hiding is quitting, hiding is saying that we as women accept responsibility and blame for what the attackers are doing. In fact, your article gives the impression that if we want the attacks to stop we should sit quietly at home, twiddling our thumbs. Your solution is wrong on so many levels. We are not helpless creatures and fighting back against these crimes is the answer, not running away.

In my years at A&M (93-97) I never once used an escort to get me somewhere on campus. I frequently came home after dark and walked from the fish lot on west campus to my dorm on the southside. Yes, I was nervous, but I was walking on Texas A&M's campus - not the 5th ward in downtown Houston. If this is happening on campus (it did happen during my time at A&M, but apparently not to the extent that it's happening now)then yes - security needs to be increased and literally *seen* as a visible presence, all lights need to be in working condition and if possible then travel in pairs. Ultimately though it's A&M that needs to provide a safe and secure environment for their students.

As people and as women we have the RIGHT to walk where we please without the need of a babysitter. Campus should not be a place where one should be afraid of walking to and from somewhere.

Hiding when it gets dark isn't necessary. Girls should, however, get some form of protection. I personally have pepper spray attached to my key chain. When its late and I am walking alone I carry it in the open position.