Dear NOVA Community

I write to address a difficult subject: the sexual assault that that occurred last week on the Annandale Campus. Following an investigation, details about the arrest of a suspect in this heinous crime have now been released by the Fairfax County Police Department, and knowing and understanding the concern that our entire college community has about this incident, I want to share some background and information.

First and foremost, please know that NOVA has come together to support the student who survived this horrific attack. She has been connected with a NOVA Care Counselor and a Fairfax County victims’ services advocate as well as with our Title IX Office. I also thank the faculty who are working closely with these offices to support our student in continuing in her classes—and am grateful to all of you who have expressed care and concern for her at this difficult time.

Second, I extend my deepest appreciation to those who quickly came to the student’s aid when she called for help, and to the NOVA Police for their rapid response. I am also grateful to the Fairfax County Police Department, whose partnership with NOVA Police on this investigation was invaluable. As their investigation revealed, this was a random act of violence perpetrated by a suspect with a significant criminal past who is also charged with a similar assault the previous day. The insights of NOVA Sgt. Sam Souligne, in particular, led to the quick identification and arrest of the suspect.

Third, while a review of NOVA’s Annual Security Reports demonstrates a very low incidence of reported crimes across all campuses, our college is not isolated from challenges in the wider community. I encourage you to learn more about the safety resources available to you at NOVA, sign up for the NOVA Alert and LiveSafe App and reach out to the NOVA Police, who can offer training and workshops to your office, department or group. We can also all take simple steps like being aware of our surroundings, avoiding spaces that are isolating, using well-lit and highly visible paths, reporting suspicious activity and trusting our instincts. And, always, if you see something, say something: for non-emergencies, call NOVA Police at 703.764.5000; for life-threatening emergencies, immediately call 911.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this year, the month’s theme is “Our Voices Have Power. Together, We Can Build Safe and Respectful Communities.” Together, we can keep our NOVA community safe by looking out for each other, remembering the spirit and power of our values: care, excellence, inclusion, integrity and respect. RAINN, a leading national organization on this issue, has a good overview of the role we can all play in bystander intervention—which was so important in interrupting last week’s attack.

I strongly encourage all NOVA employees and students to contact the Title IX Office to report incidents related to sexual assault, harassment and exploitation; domestic and dating violence; and stalking. NOVA’s Title IX Office works closely with the Office of Wellness and Mental Health to provide and coordinate supportive services. Sexual assault, harassment or abuse of any kind will not be tolerated at NOVA.

Thank you for working together to make our college a safer and more respectful community.

Sincerely,

Anne