22 Safety Tips Every College Freshman Needs to Know Especially During The "Red Zone"

I can't tell you how many people disclose past assaults to me once they hear what I do for a living. EVERY SINGLE TIME it was someone they knew. In this episode, Mandi breaks down the "red zone," the stretch from move-in day through Thanksgiving break when first-year college students are statistically most likely to experience sexual assault, including the stat that 73% of victims know their attacker.If you have a kid heading off to college, this one's for you. Mandi shares her PEACE framework for trusting your intuition, why boundaries and people-pleasing matter more than "stranger danger," and 22 practical tips for staying safer this fall (for college students or anyone really!).RESOURCESRAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) - The nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization; created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. rainn.org 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Previous Episodes: Project Beloved episode with Molly Jane's mother and Boundaries For Kids With Sydney and LacyePEACE Framework - Mandi's framework for trusting your intuition, taught in her workshops. Take the quiz to see how well you are trusting your intuitionIn-Person Safety Workshop in San Diego on September 15, 2026CONNECT WITH MANDIWebsite: WomenAwareAndPrepared.comInstagram: @WomenAwareAndPreparedLinkedIn: Mandi PrattTIMESTAMPS[01:00] Last week's episode about Molly Jane’s murder and legacy with Project Beloved [03:00] The red zone explained; three key stats from RAINN [05:30] Why boundaries and people-pleasing matter more than "stranger danger" [07:30] What age to start these conversations [09:00] Mandi’s in person workshop September 15, 2026 [10:30] Two sources of harm: strangers vs. acquaintances [11:30] 22 Safety Tips Every College Freshman Needs to Know [32:00] Recap and join the email list to get each week’s episodeThe primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.Send me a message