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alcohol & drugs

Cardiff Metropolitan Students' Union does not in any way condone substance abuse; be it alcohol or drugs related. Our aim is therefore to create a safe and secure environment with your safety and wellbeing in mind by presenting you with useful information. If you are worried about any type of substance abuse see below.

You Could ...

• Contact your local GP
• Contact Cardiff Met Student Services Counselling Advisors
• See what options are available to you in Cardiff

Alcohol

Drink Aware

Alcohol Concern

Drugs

Talk to Frank

Drugs Aid Cymru 
 

Informed consent

At University, the Students’ Union wants you to have the time of your life. And to us this means you should never feel threatened or violated, and in turn your behaviour never threatens or violates others.
 

Consent is important in every sort of sexual encounter whether it is a one night stand, a long term partnership, a fling, a marriage, and no matter whether the encounter is between a woman and a man, two women, two men, or more than two participants.
 

So where sexual activity is concerned, consent is active and willing participation between everyone involved. It means that both parties have the freedom and capacity to make the choice. It cannot be assumed - whether you're in a relationship, if you've been kissing, or no matter who has paid for the date. Checking for consent needs to be an ongoing process, and is the responsibility of both partners. An absence of a "no" does not mean "yes". If you're not sure, ask.
 

Ignore the Myths!

There are certain myths relating to unwanted sexual attention that we want to assure you are NOT TRUE. Believing that these myths are true could make you feel alone, but know there is always someone out there you can contact for advice and support!

THE MYTHS
 

1. If you don’t say anything that means you want it.
 

2. Consent is generally not something you can communicate because of the nature of sexual interaction.
 

3. Agreeing to do something sexual means you have agreed to do everything else as well.
 

4. If you wear sexy clothing you are ‘that kind of person’.
 

5. Walking alone at night, having multiple partners or going out to much means you’re asking for it.
 

6. Rapists are men hiding in bushes or dark alleys waiting to attack scantily clad women.
 

7. Agreement does not mean consent if that person is forced, or feels forced to participate.
 

8. Women often falsely accuse men of sexual assault or rape.
 

9. If you are drunk or behaving flirtatiously you are at least partly to blame.
 

10. Only women are victim of sexual assault.

Contacts

If you feel concerned, or want advice and support about this or any other safety issues, please contact -

Student Services

Student Advisor

Housing Safety

Living away from home means you now have to think of things that may have never crossed your mind in terms of keeping your property and possessions safe.
 

• Lock it.

Half of burglaries take place through insecure properties. Ensure all windows and doors are locked at all times - particularly ground floor windows & cellar doors.
 

• Out of Sight, Out of Mind.

When you leave the house keep all of your valuables hidden. It just takes a few seconds to tidy away possessions so they are not on show to the world. Also, register your electrical items for free on immobilise.com so the police can return to you any stolen items if they are recovered.
 

• Is Anybody Home?

When you leave your house at night give the impression someone is still in and leave a small light on. Also, try to avoid leaving the house in one big group, as this is an obvious way to advertise the house is now empty.
 

Top Tips for Taxi Travel

Safe Taxi Scheme Steps:

Call Dragon Taxis on 02920 33 33 33 quoting 'Cardiff Met University Safe Taxi Scheme', giving your name and student number

When the taxi arrives, show your student card to the driver to check your booking details. Do not leave your card with the driver. 

When you get home, you'll be given a receipt card detailing the fare.

Within the next 7 days, visit the Students Union office and pay the price of your taxi fare. 

Access to University services will be blocked if the taxi fare is not paid.

Remember: Black with a white bonnet = Hackney carriage : these can pick up fares from the side of the road

Any colour except black & white= Private Hire :  cannot pick up from the side of a road: passengers can only be picked up as part of a pre-booked phone call.

For journeys that start and finish within the Cardiff city boundary, it is a criminal offence for a Hackney Carriage driver to:

• Refuse a fare (without a reasonable excuse*)
• Not to use the fitted meter
• Charge more than the fare on the meter

*Reasonable excuse is not defined in law but this could be where the driver fears for his/her safety, or if the passenger is excessively drunk and could vomit in the vehicle

If you approach a taxi and ask the driver “are you free” and the driver asks “where would you like to go?”, this could suggest that they are available for hire but are ‘cherry picking’ their fares.

Please note that a driver can ask for a small deposit upfront but this should not be excessive e.g. £15 to Cathays.

To make a complaint to Cardiff Council Licensing Department, email Licensing@cardiff.gov.uk

When making a complaint it is helpful to include the taxi License number or registration plate and the time that the incident happened.

1. Always call for a taxi. Pre-booking a taxi means that your name, telephone number, start and end location are recorded. If you flag a car down or collect one on a rank then it would be more difficult to identify the car and driver if any issues occur.
 

2. Never get into an unlicensed vehicle. Licensed vehicles have either a yellow or white plate on the rear attached to the bumper. This plate has their registration number and Cardiff County Council license number. In the event of a problem you will need these numbers.
 

3. Travel with friends. If multiple people are in the taxi with you there is less chance of any unwanted incidents to occur … and it will be cheaper!
 

4. If you happen to be traveling alone in a taxi, know the safest seat in the car is behind the driver.
 

5. Enter only when you’re sure – If you have any doubts, don’t get in and order another vehicle.

Here is a list of taxi firms you can pre-book at short notice in Cardiff

Premier Taxis (02920) 55 55 55
Dragon Taxis (02920) 33 33 33

Capitol Cabs (02920) 77 77 77

Cycle safety

Top Cycling Tips

1. Take part in FREE cycle training!

2. Wear high-visibility clothing day or night
 

3. Lights are a must at night (£30 fines for cycling without them)
 

4. Stay aware: Watch out for pedestrians, car doors opening and always check over your right shoulder before changing direction.  
 

5. Signal: Let people know where you’re planning to go
 

6. If in doubt, stay back. Cyclists are often unseen by buses and HGVs due to blind spots, even in cycle lanes.
 

7. Maintain your bike: check your brakes and tyres and oil regularly.
 

8. Don’t cycle through red lights or listen to music whilst cycling.
 

9. Wear a helmet!

Bike Security

There are all weather, card access bike sheds at both campus:Go to the I-Zone to have swipe access added to your student card for free

Llandaff: one outside M block and three outside CSAD (access via the pathway to the right of the campus; there is a card access gate. Spaces here for 120+ cycles plus showers, storage & changing facilities.)

Cyncoed: At the end of Clare Halls of Residence and opposite the Tennis centre

Use  Immobilise for added security for your bike - www.immobilise.com

Plan your Journey

To plan your journey from A to B click here.
Alternatively there are cycle route maps available from reception on each campus.

Personal Safety