Category Archives: Public Safety

Events, NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking Awareness training sessions offered by NOVA PD

As a friendly reminder, NOVA Police will be hosting Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking Awareness training sessions on the dates and times listed below. Spaces are still available and all are encouraged to attend. On the Annandale and Alexandria campuses, we will have a guest speaker from SAVE Fairfax.  The speaker, founder of SAVE Fairfax and herself a domestic violence survivor, has helped us teach Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence in the past and has gotten great reviews.  Please e-mail me at the address below if you wish to attend this class.

 

Topics Include:

·         How to avoid sexual assaults, domestic violence, and stalking

·         What to do if you are a victim

·         What to do if someone you know is a victim

·         Police guidance on relevant topics (i.e., emergency protective orders, police reporting options, and more)

·         Resources in your community

 

Dates/Locations: (Training will be from noon – 1:30 PM)

·         Annandale – October 23, CA 317

·         Alexandria – October 24, AT 112

·         Woodbridge – October 25, WC-236

·         Loudoun – October 28, LC-315

·         Medical Education – October 29, RM 255

·         Manassas – October 30, (TBD)

 

 

Regards,

Tony

OFC. Tony Ong

Community Resource/Crime Prevention Officer

Police Department

Northern Virginia Community College

3001 N. Beauregard Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22311

Office: (703) 933-1850

Cell: (703) 229-2527

Tong@nvcc.edu

Mental Health Resources, NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Did You Know? Cyber Abuse

October 8, 2013: Teen Dating Violence – Cyber Abuse

DVAM:

Did You Know?

 

Did you know that more than a quarter (26%) of youth in a relationship said they experienced some form of cyber dating abuse victimization in the prior year?

 

 

·         Nearly a fifth (18 percent) of all youth experienced cyber dating abuse.

 

·         Youth experienced cyber dating abuse at a rate that was comparable to that of physical dating violence, about half that of psychological dating abuse, and twice that of sexual coercion.

 

·         Females were twice as likely as males to report being a victim of sexual cyber dating abuse and/or sexual coercion in the prior year.

 

·         Male youth, on the other hand, reported significantly higher rates of all forms of physical dating violence victimization.

 

·         LGBTQ youth are particularly vulnerable to all types of teen dating violence/abuse and bullying, including cyber dating abuse and cyber bullying.

 

·         Few victims of any teen dating violence or abuse sought help after such experiences. Less than one out of ten victims reported seeking help, with half as many male victims as female victims seeking help.

 

*  Technology, Teen Dating Violence and Abuse, and Bullying: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/243296.pdf

 

What can we do?

The following suggestions were given by the researchers:

 

ü  Community Awareness

§  Raise awareness in the community & the schools about the harmfulness of perpetrating such acts and educate victims about the importance of reporting and seeking help.  These activities should include all members of the school and community, including principals, teachers, and peer leaders.

§  Schools can refer youth to programs and online resources, such as online forums for safely airing grievances and resolving disputes (see http://www.thatsnotcool.com/CalloutCards.aspx).

 

§  Because victims of teen dating violence and abuse and bullying victims are more likely to go to friends for help or advice, schools might consider creating peer-led groups to build awareness around the issues and create a comfort-level for victims to report.

 

§  In addition, since this research found that many help-seeking victims also reach out to their parents, it may be valuable for schools to help parents form support networks for each other, so that parents of victimized or vulnerable youth can share advice and resources regarding preventative measures. Likewise, schools could hold seminars and workshops for parents on how to identify and report when their child is being bullied or being abused via technology, and on how to help them cope with and address the issue.

 

ü  Targeted Outreach

§  Given the finding that so few youth victims of teen dating violence and abuse and bullying seek help, schools might create more formalized reporting mechanisms to ensure that such violence and abuse is being addressed effectively and promptly for both males and females. In particular, since less than half of male victims seek help, specific outreach efforts to male victims might be appropriate so that they can receive any needed assistance.

 

ü  Professional Education

§  Because so much of teens’ dating violence and abuse and bullying experiences occur at school, faculty and staff should be trained on how to identify signs of both types of acts and how to handle such incidences (e.g., when to report, to whom to report, how to report).

 Sandy Bromley writes: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)!  Each business day in October, we will send out a “DVAM: Did You Know?” highlighting interesting research findings and statistics or best practices in preventing and responding to domestic violence.   Please pass along this information to your colleagues, community groups, friends, and family members.  Speak out to end domestic violence in Fairfax County!

Mental Health Resources, NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Janine Latus: I Didn’t Save Amy

Janine Latus: I Didn’t Save Amy – High Definition Version (click here to view)

Published on Aug 21, 2013

Janine Latus, author ‘If I Am Missing or Dead: a sister’s story of love, murder and liberation,’ talks about why she speaks out for victims of domestic violence.

If you are interested in having Janine Latus come speak to your organization or to help raise funds for your shelter or social service program, send her an e-mail at janine@janinelatus.com. To see testimonials from those who have heard her speak, visithttp://www.janinelatus.com/speaker/te…

 

NOVACares, Public Safety

A Message from NOVA Police – “Keep Yourself Safe”

Keep Yourself Safe at NOVA NOVA campuses are very safe, but our record of safety doesn’t mean it is not important to take steps to protect yourself at all times. There is an assault in this country every minute, and several serious crimes have occurred on or near NOVA campuses.

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not walk around texting or wearing earbuds while listening to music. Predators prey on inattentive people who are easily surprised. The risk is not only from predators. There are numerous cases of people texting or wearing earbuds and falling or stepping into traffic.

Here are some other tips:

  • Avoid walking in isolated areas on campus and, when possible, walk with a group of people. If you’d like an escort to your vehicle or need a jump start, call college police dispatch. An officer will be sent to your location.
  • If possible, park at night in lighted areas of nearby parking lots.
  • If you encounter someone in a hallway or on campus, present a confident image. Do not slouch or look way. Rather, keep walking and look the person in the eye as you pass.
  • Walk to your vehicle with your keys in your hand.
  • Check the interior of your vehicle before entering it.
  • If confronted by an assailant, do not fight unless your life is in jeopardy. No property is worth your personal injury.
  • Keep your valuables such as computers, cell phones and textbooks under your direct control at all times. Leaving them unattended invites theft.
  • Do not carry large amounts of cash, and keep your cash, ID and credit cards in your pocket.
  • Learn the locations of call boxes on campus and how to use them.
  • Be familiar with panic dialers in classrooms and in offices.
  • In the event of an active shooter, evacuate if possible and do not carry your backpacks, handbags or any parcels which arriving police could suspect of hiding a weapon. If you must shelter in place, remain quiet and be prepared to fight for your life.
  • Get a good description of any assailant (gender, race, height, weight, hair color, accent, odor, clothing, tattoos, etc.) and report same immediately to police.
  • If you see something that concerns you or seems out of place, call the college police. Do not attempt to intervene directly.
  • Sign up for NOVA Alert to be informed of campus safety and security issues.
  • Program NOVA Police Dispatch into your cell phone. You may reach us 24/7 at 703-764-5000.
  • Remember to stay alert at all times. If you have safety or security concerns, report them to your campus police or call Dispatch. Working together, we can make NOVA even safer!
NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Screen yourself using the new “OneLove Danger Assessment App” for domestic violence. What is too much????

 

http://www.joinonelove.org/library/resources/onelovelite/index.html#da/screening_me (click here to go directly to the questionnaire)

 

Welcome to the Danger Assessment App.

Everyone deserves to be safe and healthy in their relationship, including when a relationship ends.

Sometimes it can be hard to determine whether you’re experiencing the typical ups and downs of relationship stress and conflict, or whether you’re experiencing an abusive relationship that puts you at risk of deadly violence.

This app is designed to inform you of your risk of being killed by an abusive partner or ex-partner.

Due to the sensitivity of this of this information, the app will disable itself after one use, but it can be downloaded again.

All of your information is completely anonymous.  No record is being kept of your user information or responses.  No data can or will be shared with 3rd parties.  At the completion of this app you will be provided with information and resources so you can contact professionals who can help you keep yourself safe.  No one associated with the OneLove Danger Assessment app can or will contact you individually.

Sometimes abused women end up in contact with the criminal justice system — whether to seek protective orders or because they have been assaulted by an abuser.  Please be advised that there is no record of your responses, and your answers cannot be subpoenaed for future use.

Resources for keeping yourself safe are available at the end of this app.  If you believe you are in immediate danger, dial 911.

To start, we’d like to find out a little bit about the relationship that concerns you – even if it is with an ex-partner.

 

 

Events, NOVACares, Public Safety, Training Opportunities

Active Shooter Trainings This Week – Lead by NOVA Police Officer, Tony Ong

September is CAMPUS SAFETY Month!

Help keep our campus safe! If You See Something, Say Something!  Report it using NOVACares!  www.nvcc.edu/novacares

Active Shooter Trainings this week throughout NOVA.  Make plans to attend the best one for your schedule.  Just email Officer Tony Ong at tong@nvcc.edu to reserve your spot.
From NOVA’s Police Department:
Good morning,
As a friendly reminder, the NOVA Police will be hosting a Fall Active Shooter Response Training campus wide. Please refer to the dates and locations below and e-mail me if you are interested in attending.
  • All training will be held from 12 pm-1 pm.
Topics include:
• What is an Active Shooter?
• Statistics/case studies
• Tips on how to protect yourself and others
 Resources Dates/Times: 
• Annandale– September 16, CE Building, Seminar Room C&D
• Alexandria– September 17, AA158
• Woodbridge– September 18, WS 109
• Manassas– September 19, MP 217
• Loudoun– September 20, LC 209
Regards, Tony
OFC. Tony Ong
Community Resource/Crime Prevention Officer
Police Department
Northern Virginia Community College
3001 N. Beauregard Street Alexandria, Virginia 22311
Office: (703) 933-1850 Cell: (703) 229-2527
NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Bystander Intervention/Prevention

http://pact5.org/resources/prevention-and-readiness/everyone-is-a-bystander/

Bystander Intervention/Prevention

You will be a bystander. It could be at a party, when you notice two people headed upstairs. Person A is extremely intoxicated, Person B is not. Or earlier in the night, when you saw Person B giving drink after drink after drink to Person A.

Or maybe it’s in your dorm, when your friend makes that comment about what a (insert expletive here) his (girlfriend-friend-someone else) is and he’s staring at you, waiting for a reaction.

Or maybe it’s in the classroom, when someone comments that she “just got raped by that exam.”

It can be difficult. You’re involved – but you’re not the target. These moments, which sometimes seem small or unimportant, can have an impact. You might be able to prevent sexual assault from occurring or even potentially work to change a culture that allows this type of violence to occur. But sometimes it can seem daunting, which is why it’s important to remember that big change is made through your response to those little moments. In other words, you don’t have to end sexual violence all by yourself and it isn’t going to happen all at once.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

Often, people have concerns about intervening in moments where they feel something is wrong. They may think that they just don’t have all the information, that no one will support them, or that there could be a safety risk in getting involved.

Bystander intervention means taking actions that make sense to you in that moment. This means trusting your gut – acknowledging when there is a remark or situation that is a problem to you and also recognizing what you are willing to do and not do. There is no perfect response, there is only the best response you can offer in the moment. The safety of both yourself and the victim is a priority and often times there is more than one thing you can do.

So What to Do?

Consider the situation as well as all your available options. You may choose to intervene directly or indirectly and you may choose to reach out to other friends and bystanders for support.

For example, think about the first scenario above, where someone is giving another person drink after drink and then taking that person to a secluded area. Some methods of bystander intervention would be:

  • Chat them up: talk to Person A and Person B throughout the night. If you notice Person B pushing drinks, you can make a comment like, “We still have a couple of hours to go…think we all might have to slow down” or “I think she’s had plenty.”
  • If Person A looks uncomfortable, help him/her by giving them an out. You might say he/she has a friend trying to get a hold of him/her on your cell phone or ask their friends to go over with some other kind of distraction.
  • You and other friends can follow them up the stairs and let them know you’re there to help. Tell Person A or Person B that their ride is leaving without them, that a buddy is trying to find them, or something else that would get them back downstairs.

What about if a friend is being derogatory about or aggressive towards someone in their life?

  • Think about your response – even an disapproving look sends a message.
  • Call them out – “Dude, you can be mad, but don’t talk about her that way” or “You seem to be pretty angry lately and I’m worried you’re hurting yourself and other people. Do you need my help?”
  • Set the tone – continue showing respect for the people around you and modeling good behaviors.

And what about those little comments?

Something you may hear more often than you realize are comments or jokes that undermine the severity of rape and sexual assault. Most of the time, people just aren’t thinking about the impact of their words. It’s something to consider though, especially since research indicates that 1 in 4 females and 1 in 6 males are sexually abused by age 18. That means that it’s very likely that there is someone (or multiple people) in your life that has been the victim of rape or sexual assault, even if he or she has never talked about it with you before. There are cultural implications of rape comments/jokes (which, if you want to learn more about this, you can – google “Why Shouldn’t I Use Rape Jokes” and you will find many insightful articles on the topic), but putting that aside, just keep one thing in mind – you can’t know the full story about the person sitting next to you, even if you know them well, so it’s helpful to consider the language you use before you use it and to address another person’s language if he/she is throwing around the word “rape” carelessly.

For more information on bystander intervention, visit our Resources page.

What if someone discloses to me that they were the victim of rape/sexual assault?

When you’re a proactive bystander and are informed about these issues, you may find that people in your life are more likely to disclose victimization to you. For information about how to respond, see What To Do If Someone I Know Has Been Sexually Assaulted.

You are part of the campus community, so make sure you’re connected with your own institution’s programs and resources. Look to your campus sex offense policy to understand your campus processes and options. Find out who is doing sexual assault prevention education on campus and how you can get involved. Whether you’re an athlete, part of a student group, or play another role at your college or university, remember that you’re a leader, which means that you can set an example and get others engaged in prevention, as well.

Your institution has started the conversation.

You are part of the campus community, so make sure you’re connected with your own institution’s programs and resources. Look to your campus sex offense policy to understand your campus processes and options. Find out who is doing sexual assault prevention education on campus and how you can get involved. Whether you’re an athlete, part of a student group, or play another role at your college or university, remember that you’re a leader, which means that you can set an example and get others engaged in prevention, as well.

Events, NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Make the Pact to End Sexual Assault

Make the Pact to End Sexual Assault – Together we can make a difference!

1. I am aware that sexual assault can happen to anyone at any time.
2. I believe we can end sexual assault through education.
3. I will always be sure of genuine consent before any sexual activity.
4. I will take action if I see a situation that could lead to sexual assault.
5. I commit to learning more and promoting the PACT.

Sign up here:

http://pact5.org/make-the-pact/

PACT5 Mission Statement

PACT5 is a national movement to prevent sexual assaults and rapes in colleges. What is different about PACT5 is that it believes the documentary form, when produced by students, can create powerful stories that can change potentially tragic behavior patterns. Students are the ones who can make a difference in the minds of other students.

These student-produced documentaries and other related media resources will become important tools for all areas of college life, including orientations, residence life advising, campus police, fraternities, sororities, counseling centers, rehab centers, and hospitals.

PACT5 is a humanitarian collaboration started by students and faculty in 5 universities: Rowan University (NJ), California State University at Northridge, Western State Colorado University, Northern Illinois University, and Framingham State University (MA).

The 5 universities want other colleges to join them. Want other colleges to Make the PACT to become a safe campus and a source of preventative media that young people, their families, relatives, and friends will listen to.