When Safety is Shaken

Processing Boundary Violations on Campus

There are moments in college when the world doesn't feel quite as safe as it should. For some Cal Poly students, that moment came recently when an unknown man tried to climb over a bathroom stall door in the Sierra Madre residence halls. The person wasn’t a student—and thankfully, he left when directed by campus police—but the emotional impact of something like that lingers long after the moment is over.

Even if you weren’t directly involved, just hearing about this kind of violation can leave you feeling unsettled. For those affected firsthand, it’s even more intense. Being watched, followed, or intruded upon—especially in a private space like a bathroom—can deeply disrupt your sense of physical and emotional safety. It’s not something you’re just supposed to “get over.”

When boundaries are crossed, especially in spaces that should be safe and private, it can lead to ripple effects: anxiety, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, or even avoidance of certain places. These are valid responses to a disturbing experience. And you don’t have to navigate them alone.

Therapy can be a space where you start to rebuild your sense of safety—both in your environment and within yourself. It’s a place to process what happened, understand how it’s affecting you, and find ways to feel grounded again. Whether you’re feeling scared, angry, numb, or unsure how to feel at all—those emotions matter, and you deserve support in working through them.

If recent events have left you feeling unsettled, I want you to know that you're not overreacting, and you’re not alone. Therapy is here to support your healing, no matter where you are in the process.