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Is it just me, or are people doing some crazy things and blaming it on the economy? It seems like every time I turn on the television, I see someone violating the rights of another because they think their situation is worse than everyone else. Well I don’t have all the money I want but you don’t see me robbing liquor stores or snatching purses just because I think I can get away with it.

I don’t know about you, but the state of the economy is no reason to violate the rights of your fellow man. I wanted to take some time and reach out to those in the professional service industry. To be more specific, I am talking about Realtors. As a certified personal defense specialist and trainer, and Realtor, I wanted to share some tips for your safety with you as business is starting to pick back up with activity. The potential to be confronted with squatters or people seeking shelter in vacant homes is also on the increase because of the foreclosure crisis.

Here are some things to consider when showing home or holding a house open.

Get into the habit of taking someone with you, and checking all the places where someone might be able to hide, like closets, basements, sheds, etc.

Stay aware of your surroundings, keep your cell phone near you in case you need to make a call.

It is always a good idea to keep your keys or a kubotan in hand in case you needed to defend against someone coming after you.

Have a “Buddy System” in place and call in to your partner at Pre-determined times to ensure safety.

Use code words or phrases if a situation with your client makes you feel uncomfortable. Example, “Did you find your RED shirt?” This will let your partner know you may be in trouble without tipping the person off.

These are just some basic tips that may help save your life. Hopefully you will never have to use them, but it is always better to be prepared than not, right?

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Every year, thousands of people become victims of assault and, with the number victims increasing as time goes by, it is more important than ever to take a few precautions to improve your safety; especially if you are a woman. After all, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure when you are faced with dangerous situations.

One of the first ways to increase your safety is to use a little common sense. It may seem a little inconvenient at times to use good judgment regarding which places you go and when you travel, but the extra caution can make a huge difference in your level of safety. For example, in almost every town or city there are certain neighborhoods that are safer than others and, whether you are passing through a “safe” neighborhood or not, you are less likely to become a victim of assault if you are traveling during daylight hours rather than the darker hours during the night. If, for some reason, you do have to go out in the evening, keep in mind that another way to increase your safety is to travel with more than one person because there is safety in numbers.

If you don’t have the luxury of taking someone with you whenever you exercise, run errands, and travel, you can also increase your personal safety by investing some of your time in self defense courses. In many communities, you can find a good class for a small fee or even for free and the things you learn may be effective enough to save your life in a bad situation.

At the very least, you can invest in safety products like whistles, alarms, and pepper spray that are designed to call in assistance and keep predators at bay. Since many of those products are small, affordable, and light weight, it can be easy to buy them and carry them on your person with your keys, purse, or pockets. If you want to take them with you while running, hiking, or biking, Velcro straps can make them even more portable by eliminating the need for pockets altogether.

In a perfect world, there wouldn’t be a need for so many safety precautions, but statistics show that it is always better to be safe than sorry as far as personal safety is concerned. So, start improving your safety or the safety of the ones you love by implementing the advice above and you may be able to avoid some nasty experiences.

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Scandal hits UCF as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers get accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated student in Oxford, Ohio during a November 2008 fraternity initiation trip. Apparently, one of the members brought an intoxicated female student back to his room and had sex with her before she passed out.

The young lady however told Oxford police she woke up to 15 guys in the room who were asking her to do different things, like perform oral and vaginal sex. She said she passed out again and awakened to several men getting in and out of the bed with her.

I don’t see what the attraction is for guys to sleep with a nearly passed out young lady and can understand why many question the validity of the allegation. Moreover 15 brothers butt-naked gathered around one young lady doesn’t seem like a delightful experience for anyone.

Yet this is what is being alleged as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at UCF undergoes suspension and discipline. Undoubtedly the brothers’ infamous Ohio initiation has given their fraternity a black eye, while bruising its public image nationally. As for UCF, they are quick to mention this was not a hazing incident.

Not surprising is it for a University to be quick to disassociate itself with such alleged criminal acts perpetrated by fraternal organization’s members. To acknowledge that these criminal acts occurred during fraternal initiations would mean UCF could be found guilty of permitting hazing and thereby find themselves negligent and required to financially compensate the victim for damages and restitution. Such a bad reputation and legal battle for restitution is not the kind of publicity any University wants.

It should be noted Greek organizations, both fraternities and sororities, account for much of the community service work done by UCF. Greek life by no means should be presumptuously labeled bad because of this alleged incident. By law in the United States of America the accused are still innocent until proven guilty. However in the event the victim is not desirous of pursuing the case, the alleged perpetrators still should be warned and disciplined by their fraternity and University (in this case my alma mater UCF) if when interviewed privately it is revealed they acted inappropriately.

Much of this should be done behind closed doors within the confines of the local and national fraternity leadership, as well as face to face with the University’s administration. A student court hearing is scheduled and certainly a step in the right direction, but doesn’t carry enough weight considering the severity of the matter. A skillful interrogation of each fraternity member accused should bring the facts to light and eliminate much unnecessary and unfruitful speculation.

UCF and Beta Theta Pi directors should invite the victimized young lady to cooperate in an internal investigation, admit any contributory negligence on her part, and be as specific as possible in regard to the details as to the inappropriate male advances by the various fraternity brothers.

Meanwhile UCF has put its Beta Theta Pi fraternity on interim suspension after receiving reports from police in Ohio investigating alleged alcohol related misconduct, sexual battery and falsification of information by some members. Such suspension will prevent the fraternity from participating in social and school-related activities.

The allegations originated from a visit by about 70 fraternity brothers to Beta Theta Pi’s national headquarters in Ohio in November. The UCF chapter is said to have about 120 active members.

As a woman such a painful experience is both devastating and embarrassing. Nevertheless for the sake of other young ladies who could be protected in the future, the alleged victim should go public with her accusations, participate in a thorough investigation, and prosecute to the full extent of the law. Such bravery on her part would send a message to men, young and old, that women are not sex toys to be exploited for their personal gratification.

Curiously the Beta Theta Pi handbook published in 1883 titled “Fraternity Studies” mentions in Chapter XVI that when developing a social brotherhood “neither ’sticks’ nor ‘grinds’ were acceptable.” To break it down in modern vernacular, a “grind” is one who works or studies excessively and a “stick” is a dull and spiritless person. Yet given the sad course of events and sexual assault accusations, Beta Theta Pi might want to reevaluate exactly what spirit they are of and take a more active role in shaping the character of the brothers within their fraternity.

Furthermore and rather prophetically written, the fraternity’s handbook reads: “Its members are united in an association during the formative period of their lives - when they are entering upon a new world, the college kingdom - enticing with unknown pleasures and beset with unthought-of dangers.”

Concerning the “Beta girls” their alliance historically has been “assiduously cultivated” according to page 325 of the fraternity handbook. Another interesting piece of the fraternity’s history is that Christian heritage was a strong factor in drawing the young men together.

Certainly the fraternity brothers’ unremitting and incessant pursuit of female companionship coupled with allegations of foul play has proven (at the very least at this time until further evidence be revealed) to be a sufficient danger by which they have been beset. Perhaps given the fraternity’s present troubles, they would be best served by revisiting their Christian heritage, endeavoring to “cultivate” Christ-like character, and predetermining what spirit they are of and by which they shall direct their brotherhood into the future.

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Scandal hits UCF as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers get accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated student in Oxford, Ohio during a November 2008 fraternity initiation trip. Apparently, one of the members brought an intoxicated female student back to his room and had sex with her before she passed out.

The young lady however told Oxford police she woke up to 15 guys in the room who were asking her to do different things, like perform oral and vaginal sex. She said she passed out again and awakened to several men getting in and out of the bed with her.

I don’t see what the attraction is for guys to sleep with a nearly passed out young lady and can understand why many question the validity of the allegation. Moreover 15 brothers butt-naked gathered around one young lady doesn’t seem like a delightful experience for anyone.

Yet this is what is being alleged as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at UCF undergoes suspension and discipline. Undoubtedly the brothers’ infamous Ohio initiation has given their fraternity a black eye, while bruising its public image nationally. As for UCF, they are quick to mention this was not a hazing incident.

Not surprising is it for a University to be quick to disassociate itself with such alleged criminal acts perpetrated by fraternal organization’s members. To acknowledge that these criminal acts occurred during fraternal initiations would mean UCF could be found guilty of permitting hazing and thereby find themselves negligent and required to financially compensate the victim for damages and restitution. Such a bad reputation and legal battle for restitution is not the kind of publicity any University wants.

It should be noted Greek organizations, both fraternities and sororities, account for much of the community service work done by UCF. Greek life by no means should be presumptuously labeled bad because of this alleged incident. By law in the United States of America the accused are still innocent until proven guilty. However in the event the victim is not desirous of pursuing the case, the alleged perpetrators still should be warned and disciplined by their fraternity and University (in this case my alma mater UCF) if when interviewed privately it is revealed they acted inappropriately.

Much of this should be done behind closed doors within the confines of the local and national fraternity leadership, as well as face to face with the University’s administration. A student court hearing is scheduled and certainly a step in the right direction, but doesn’t carry enough weight considering the severity of the matter. A skillful interrogation of each fraternity member accused should bring the facts to light and eliminate much unnecessary and unfruitful speculation.

UCF and Beta Theta Pi directors should invite the victimized young lady to cooperate in an internal investigation, admit any contributory negligence on her part, and be as specific as possible in regard to the details as to the inappropriate male advances by the various fraternity brothers.

Meanwhile UCF has put its Beta Theta Pi fraternity on interim suspension after receiving reports from police in Ohio investigating alleged alcohol related misconduct, sexual battery and falsification of information by some members. Such suspension will prevent the fraternity from participating in social and school-related activities.

The allegations originated from a visit by about 70 fraternity brothers to Beta Theta Pi’s national headquarters in Ohio in November. The UCF chapter is said to have about 120 active members.

As a woman such a painful experience is both devastating and embarrassing. Nevertheless for the sake of other young ladies who could be protected in the future, the alleged victim should go public with her accusations, participate in a thorough investigation, and prosecute to the full extent of the law. Such bravery on her part would send a message to men, young and old, that women are not sex toys to be exploited for their personal gratification.

Curiously the Beta Theta Pi handbook published in 1883 titled “Fraternity Studies” mentions in Chapter XVI that when developing a social brotherhood “neither ’sticks’ nor ‘grinds’ were acceptable.” To break it down in modern vernacular, a “grind” is one who works or studies excessively and a “stick” is a dull and spiritless person. Yet given the sad course of events and sexual assault accusations, Beta Theta Pi might want to reevaluate exactly what spirit they are of and take a more active role in shaping the character of the brothers within their fraternity.

Furthermore and rather prophetically written, the fraternity’s handbook reads: “Its members are united in an association during the formative period of their lives - when they are entering upon a new world, the college kingdom - enticing with unknown pleasures and beset with unthought-of dangers.”

Concerning the “Beta girls” their alliance historically has been “assiduously cultivated” according to page 325 of the fraternity handbook. Another interesting piece of the fraternity’s history is that Christian heritage was a strong factor in drawing the young men together.

Certainly the fraternity brothers’ unremitting and incessant pursuit of female companionship coupled with allegations of foul play has proven (at the very least at this time until further evidence be revealed) to be a sufficient danger by which they have been beset. Perhaps given the fraternity’s present troubles, they would be best served by revisiting their Christian heritage, endeavoring to “cultivate” Christ-like character, and predetermining what spirit they are of and by which they shall direct their brotherhood into the future.

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Scandal hits UCF as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers get accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated student in Oxford, Ohio during a November 2008 fraternity initiation trip. Apparently, one of the members brought an intoxicated female student back to his room and had sex with her before she passed out.

The young lady however told Oxford police she woke up to 15 guys in the room who were asking her to do different things, like perform oral and vaginal sex. She said she passed out again and awakened to several men getting in and out of the bed with her.

I don’t see what the attraction is for guys to sleep with a nearly passed out young lady and can understand why many question the validity of the allegation. Moreover 15 brothers butt-naked gathered around one young lady doesn’t seem like a delightful experience for anyone.

Yet this is what is being alleged as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at UCF undergoes suspension and discipline. Undoubtedly the brothers’ infamous Ohio initiation has given their fraternity a black eye, while bruising its public image nationally. As for UCF, they are quick to mention this was not a hazing incident.

Not surprising is it for a University to be quick to disassociate itself with such alleged criminal acts perpetrated by fraternal organization’s members. To acknowledge that these criminal acts occurred during fraternal initiations would mean UCF could be found guilty of permitting hazing and thereby find themselves negligent and required to financially compensate the victim for damages and restitution. Such a bad reputation and legal battle for restitution is not the kind of publicity any University wants.

It should be noted Greek organizations, both fraternities and sororities, account for much of the community service work done by UCF. Greek life by no means should be presumptuously labeled bad because of this alleged incident. By law in the United States of America the accused are still innocent until proven guilty. However in the event the victim is not desirous of pursuing the case, the alleged perpetrators still should be warned and disciplined by their fraternity and University (in this case my alma mater UCF) if when interviewed privately it is revealed they acted inappropriately.

Much of this should be done behind closed doors within the confines of the local and national fraternity leadership, as well as face to face with the University’s administration. A student court hearing is scheduled and certainly a step in the right direction, but doesn’t carry enough weight considering the severity of the matter. A skillful interrogation of each fraternity member accused should bring the facts to light and eliminate much unnecessary and unfruitful speculation.

UCF and Beta Theta Pi directors should invite the victimized young lady to cooperate in an internal investigation, admit any contributory negligence on her part, and be as specific as possible in regard to the details as to the inappropriate male advances by the various fraternity brothers.

Meanwhile UCF has put its Beta Theta Pi fraternity on interim suspension after receiving reports from police in Ohio investigating alleged alcohol related misconduct, sexual battery and falsification of information by some members. Such suspension will prevent the fraternity from participating in social and school-related activities.

The allegations originated from a visit by about 70 fraternity brothers to Beta Theta Pi’s national headquarters in Ohio in November. The UCF chapter is said to have about 120 active members.

As a woman such a painful experience is both devastating and embarrassing. Nevertheless for the sake of other young ladies who could be protected in the future, the alleged victim should go public with her accusations, participate in a thorough investigation, and prosecute to the full extent of the law. Such bravery on her part would send a message to men, young and old, that women are not sex toys to be exploited for their personal gratification.

Curiously the Beta Theta Pi handbook published in 1883 titled “Fraternity Studies” mentions in Chapter XVI that when developing a social brotherhood “neither ’sticks’ nor ‘grinds’ were acceptable.” To break it down in modern vernacular, a “grind” is one who works or studies excessively and a “stick” is a dull and spiritless person. Yet given the sad course of events and sexual assault accusations, Beta Theta Pi might want to reevaluate exactly what spirit they are of and take a more active role in shaping the character of the brothers within their fraternity.

Furthermore and rather prophetically written, the fraternity’s handbook reads: “Its members are united in an association during the formative period of their lives - when they are entering upon a new world, the college kingdom - enticing with unknown pleasures and beset with unthought-of dangers.”

Concerning the “Beta girls” their alliance historically has been “assiduously cultivated” according to page 325 of the fraternity handbook. Another interesting piece of the fraternity’s history is that Christian heritage was a strong factor in drawing the young men together.

Certainly the fraternity brothers’ unremitting and incessant pursuit of female companionship coupled with allegations of foul play has proven (at the very least at this time until further evidence be revealed) to be a sufficient danger by which they have been beset. Perhaps given the fraternity’s present troubles, they would be best served by revisiting their Christian heritage, endeavoring to “cultivate” Christ-like character, and predetermining what spirit they are of and by which they shall direct their brotherhood into the future.

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