It does happen here.
Since Lauren Burk's murder one year ago, Auburn students have become more aware of their safety and surroundings.
Female students across campus are becoming more prepared to defend themselves if they should ever be attacked.
Ashley Wilson, a junior in history, said she believes all women should have basic knowledge of self-defense.
"If I'm going somewhere, I always bring my friends with me," Wilson said.
The buddy system is one of many safe practices both on and off campus.
Julia James, a victim advocate for Safe Harbor, said taking a self-defense class would benefit women of all ages.
"Just knowing how to react in those situations is good to know," James said.
James said there are many tools women can use to break free from an attacker, like pepperspray, car keys and even bare hands.
Miranda Brown, a sophomore in exercise science pre-med, was attending the University of Alabama when Burk was murdered.
"It made me feel like Auburn was not as safe as everyone talks about," Brown said.
Brown said she liked the idea of taking a self-defense class.
"I thought about it," Brown said. "I just never actually have."
Wilson, who is a member of Delta Gamma -- the same sorority Burk belonged to -- said she does feel safe on campus.
"There's always going to be that thing in the back of your head that someone was murdered here," Wilson said.
James said if ever walking alone, students should always trust his or her instincts.
"That is a very, very strong clue as to what might be going on," James said. "If you are uneasy, trust that instinct. It is much better to trust that instinct than to think maybe you are imagining things."
For women interested in learning self-defense, the University offers a one-hour course focused on teaching the Rape Aggression Defense System each semester. Its course number is KINE 4970.
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