This article contains references to recreational drug use, the consumption of alcohol and sexual activity.
If you’ll be out socialising, plan on drinking, taking drugs, or having sex, here’s where to find advice you can use to keep you and your mates safe.
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If you’re heading for a night out, make sure your phone is charged and you share your location with your friends. We always recommend that you stay in a group, stay close to friends and plan where you are going and how to get back.
If you're on campus, our Campus Safety team are available 24/7 to ensure that everyone on campus is safe. You can contact them on 01483 683333 in an emergency or 01483 682002 if you have any non-urgent concerns – it’s a good idea to save both of these numbers to your phone.
Don't be tempted to get into an unlicensed cab. If you can, get a lift with someone you trust or book a taxi. If travelling by bus, sit on the lower deck and if you're walking, stay in well-lit areas where there are plenty of people. Don't be tempted to take a shortcut down a dark alley or through an unlit park.
If you are walking home there are a number of apps such as the Walk Safe app and Hollie Guard app, or Strut Safe is a UK-wide phone line. If you're walking alone, you can call 0333 335 0026 and speak to a friendly volunteer who will keep you company and help you feel safe until you are through the door.
Although it can feel like there is enormous pressure to drink alcohol, there are plenty of festive activities that don’t centre around alcohol. But if you do drink, there are a few things you can do to make drinking work for you:
These tips will help slow down the absorption of alcohol, making it easier to stay in control.
Keep a close eye on your drinks and don’t leave them unattended. Many UK pubs now offer anti-spiking drinks covers and bottle toppers. Don't be tempted to accept a vape from a stranger - vapes can also be spiked.
If you’re worried about your own drinking or someone else’s, you can find resources on our alcohol help section on MySurrey.
The only way to ensure you aren’t harmed from drugs is to avoid using them. If you choose to use drugs anyway, there are steps you can take to manage the harm of drug use.
Even if you don’t use drugs, it’s useful to know how you can help others who might. You can visit our drug advice and support page to understand the effects of different substances, their risks, and what could happen to you if you are found with them on campus. Free and confidential help is also available if you’d like to explore your drug usage or get help stopping.
Always remember to look out for your friends, and if you are planning on drinking or using drugs, make sure you are around people you trust.
While you are at university it is important to take control of your own sexual health by being aware of the facts and knowing where you can go for resources and support. A good place to start to find resources in Guildford is our sexual health and contraception section on MySurrey.
Consent is a vital part of engaging in any sexual activity. It’s important for everyone’s safety that you understand what consent is; sex without consent is rape or sexual assault, and is against the law.
The consent section on MySurrey has information to help you understand the issues of consent as well as advice that encourages good communication, clear boundaries, and mutual respect in relationships.
If you have ever experienced anything that makes you feel uncomfortable and you would like to tell someone about it, there are a number of external and University services that are equipped to provide you with the support you need.
The Surrey Solace Centre SARC offers free support and practical help to anyone in Surrey who has experienced unwanted sexual behaviour. Their telephone 0300 223 0099 is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
If you need help in an emergency, you can contact the Campus Safety team on 01483 683333.
The University and the Students’ Union have trained staff as Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) and you can also speak with a Centre for Wellbeing counsellor. While these services will be available during the winter break, they will be operating with reduced hours so remember to check our campus opening times.
Sexual violence and assault cases rise over the festive period as a result of the dark nights and people letting their hair down. No matter where you are spending your winter break, you can access help if you need it.
National SARCs (Sexual Abuse Referral Centre): Have dedicated forensic teams, counsellors and ISVAs (Independent sexual violence advisors) who can keep your details for up to two years without the need to go to the police. Find your local SARC here.
Rape Crisis: Support for any non-consensual sexual assault/violence (not just rape) with a 24/7 helpline.
Refuge: Support for Domestic Violence, with a 24/7 helpline.
Survivors UK: National support for male victim/survivors of sexual violence.
Galop: National support for LGBTQ+ victim/survivors of sexual violence.
Police: In an emergency, dial 999 or you can report a rape, sexual assault or another sexual offence via an online form or call 101.
If something happens on campus, by visiting Report + Support you can report abuse, bullying, harassment, hate crime or sexual misconduct by name or anonymously.