The students looking out for students - and the tools they're using to stay safe

By now students across Northern Ireland will be settling into their new courses, accommodation and socialising schedules.

But behind every fresher is a young person "fresh out of high school, new to the area, and for many of them it's their first time living away from home", says Magee student vice president Shauna Whyte.

Freshers' Week at the Ulster University campus in Magee last week was a hive of activity, with hundreds of students cramming into the sports hall to see what the university's societies have to offer them.

Among the fun and freebies on offer was a message from the students' union to look out for themselves and each other when enjoying their new-found freedom.

"It isn't to scare students about issues, it's to be realistic and make them aware of things we have that can help them", Shauna says.

The union is hoping to spread awareness of things like spiking and sexual violence, including working with a local entrepreneur who has created a device to help women keep in contact without taking out their phones.

Students exploring stalls at the Freshers' Fayre say keeping in contact and looking out for each other are key to feeling safe on a night out.

Sarah and Grace have already experienced their first uni nights out.

"I feel pretty safe because I'm with a good group and we've got loads of students around us, but there are obviously unsafe parts as well, so we share our locations," Sarah says.

Grace adds: "The girls in my flat always make sure we all get home safe and we always get taxis together. If someone goes to the bathroom, someone goes with them so we're never on our own."

Second year students Mia and Casey say, "you always have to have your wits about you" as staying safe when travelling home after a night out can be a concern.

Affordable night-time transport is a recurring issue among students exploring the stalls.

Translink is proposing to reduce bus and rail service discounts for young people, and to remove many late-evening departures.

"There's definitely a real lack of transport and a real lack of taxis for students getting home," Shauna says.

"Especially on our Coleraine campus, where our night-out venues are away from campus, it's not safe for students to walk home either.

"Hopefully they'll reconsider before the consultation ends."

A spokesperson for Translink said the consultation comes at a time of "significant financial pressure" and no decisions will be made until all the feedback is fully assessed.

But what if we could think outside the box when it comes to protecting students?

Lisburn entrepreneur, Stephen Larmour was invited to the Freshers Fayres at Magee and Coleraine to showcase how he's been doing that with a new tool he's created.

The 'Bestie Button' looks like a small plastic keyring, and it can be hidden inside a scrunchie.

When you press the button twice, it sends a message to five contacts you have selected with your location and a message saying "I'm safe".

When you hold down the button for two seconds, the message changes to "I need help".

It connects to your phone via Bluetooth, so the messages can be sent even when your phone is locked, as long as it's within 50 metres of the device.

Stephen, 43, says the device can fit in well with student life, and ran a giveaway at the Fayres.

"Students want to enjoy their independence and they might be able to wear this as an accessory. They can contact their friends or their family with the push of a button, and that might give them peace of mind."

Stephen, an accountant, says that looking at the news in Northern Ireland, "there are lots of concerns about women's safety".

"It's obviously not going to the root of the issue but it can help support women in a small way."

More than 100 women have bought the product since it was launched in May, and have left reviews explaining how they've used it while working alone, running in the dark, on nights out or in crowded places, like festivals.

Stephen said one woman reached out to tell him that she had bought a Bestie Button for her friend after being concerned that her ex-partner may be stalking her.

While the product is marketed mostly towards women Stephen says, "it's an issue that affects everybody, and everybody has their part to play".

A few stalls along, another group has more ideas to help students feel safer.

Niamh and Méabh from Ulster University Judo Club say their club was started 11 years ago as a reaction to a lack of support for women on nights out.

"We think it's so important that women know how to defend themselves, and we are such a female-heavy club which is great to see in such a male-dominated sport," Niamh says.

"We want to encourage more women to come along, to learn how to fight and hold themselves, because you feel so much better and safer on a night out."

But Méabh says the onus shouldn't only be on women to look out for each other.

"I think the only option is for tightened law enforcement.

"We're all doing what we can to protect ourselves, but it's not our fault if somebody wants to spike you.

"There need to be greater consequences if that does happen and they're caught."

The Executive Office oversees a strategic framework for tackling violence against women and girls.

In 2022 the PSNI launched an action plan aimed at reducing violence against women and girls with one of its three pillars focusing on creating safer spaces for them.

The Ulster University Students Union is also working with women's charity Glow NI and Common Youth, which offers sexual health services.

Caoimhín says, "In the current climate, highlighting this support is a necessity.

"Students are suffering from everything from spiking cases through to violence.

"In an ideal society, none of that would be happening, but we want students to have the best possible experience at Ulster, and we're here to help them through it."