Category Archives: NOVACares

Tip of the Week: Consent

feature-consent-stop-sexual-violence-oct-2014_700x538Consent is a voluntary and sober agreement to engage in every step of a sexual activity. The absence of a verbal “no” does not indicate consent. If consent is not present then a sexual assault has been committed. Consent can be withheld at any point and must be given for each act along the path. Individuals who are intoxicated cannot give consent. Even if permission to have sexual activity is gained through force, an imbalance of power, use of coercion, the threat of violence or is perpetrated against someone who is not able to give consent, because that individual is sleep, incapacitated, unconscious, legally intoxicated or a minor, consent is not actually given.
For more information about consent please visit http://www.nvcc.edu/novacares/sas/sexual-assault.html. To contact a 24 hour NOVA Sexual Assault Services coordinator for free confidential support, please call 703.338.0834 or email NOVA.SAS@nvcc.edu.

Tip of the Week: Unhealthy Relationships

Are you in a Healthy or Unhealthy Relationship? Does your partner:
• Call you names, insults and threatens you?
• Criticizes constantly?
• Damages or destroys your things?
• Checks up on you or makes you check in constantly?
• Doesn’t let you see friends and family or go anywhere/ do anything without him or her?
If yes, you may be in an unhealthy relationship. For more information visit http://www.nvcc.edu/novacares/sas/dating.html and for assistance contact NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS) for free confidential support at 703.338.0834 or email nova.sas@nvcc.edu.

Tip of the Week: Stalking

Stalking is a course of conduct, targeted at a particular person that causes a reasonable person to feel fear. On college campuses the stalker is often not a stranger to the victim. Four out of five campus victims know their attacker. These perpetrators have an intimate relationship or close friendship; they may be classmates, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances, or related to their victims. If you or someone you know is being stalked, contact a 24 hour NOVA Sexual Assault Services Coordinator for free confidential support. Please call 703.338.0834 or email NOVA.SAS@nvcc.edu. For more information and resources about stalking, please visit http://www.nvcc.edu/novacares/sas/stalking.html

Tip of the Week #6: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

dvOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence (dating/partner violence) is a pattern of behaviors between individuals who are or have been involved in an intimate relationship in which an individual inflicts emotional, financial, psychological, sexual and/or physical harm to his/her partner to assert power and control. To find resources or get more information on domestic violence (dating/ partner violence), visit http://www.nvcc.edu/novacares/sas/dating.html. To contact a 24 hour NOVA Sexual Assault Services coordinator for free confidential support, please call 703.338.0834 or email NOVA.SAS@nvcc.edu.

Tip of the Week #4. 9/16: U-Life Line a Resource for the NOVA Community

Tip of the Week 9/16
• U-Lifeline is a free online resource for college mental health. This resources gives information on a variety of issues such as alcohol and drug usage, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, emotional health, schizophrenia, stress and suicidal behavior. For the Crisis text line Text START to 741-741, for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for immediate help. For more information visit http://www.ulifeline.org/nvcc/

TIP OF THE WEEK #3: 9.13.16

NOVACare’s offers several resources guides available to the NOVA community. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one you can visit our website http://www.nvcc.edu/novacares/program/index.html, and click the page “Grief and Loss”. Under that page you will find information guides on dealing with grief, non-profit organizations and other grief support resources. Grief support resources can provide members with validation and understanding of the intensity of their experience. By providing members with a compassionate community that will support them in their struggle, it gives members the opportunity to share their strengths and coping strategies.

Tip of the Week #2 (9.2.16)

TIP OF THE WEEK #2 (9.2.16): NOVACares is the college’s “See something, Say something” program where if you see any concerning behavior, you can submit an online report: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?NorthernVirginiaCC

Concerning behavior can be anything from feeling overly stressed to a change in attitude or personality of any member of the NOVA community. Reports can be submitted anytime and trained NOVACares responders will follow up with reports to maintain a safe community. To learn more about the NOVACares program visit www.nvcc.edu/novacares/ or email: NOVACares@nvcc.edu

Tips on Suicide Prevention from NOVA Police.

http://www.nvcc.edu/police/_files/publicsafetynewsletter-September2016.pdf

According to a study released by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics
on April 22, 2016, suicide rates increased 24% between 1999 and 2014, the highest they have been in three decades. The greatest pace of increase came after 2006, and rates increased for both males and females of all ages 10-74. Females aged 10-14 and men aged 45-64 had the largest percent increases in suicide rates, 200% and 43% respectively. This troubling new data was released just days before the beginning of Mental Health Month, observed each May for over 60 years.

The new CDC report also confirms that “suicide among adolescents and young
adults is increasing and among the leading causes of death for those demographic groups.” Suicide continues to be a major concern on college campuses with issues of contagion and ideation at the forefront of challenges facing suicide prevention specialists. The statistics for college students are alarming:
 Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 18- to 24-year-olds.
 One in 10 college students has made a plan for suicide.
 There are more than 1,000 suicides on college campuses per year. This is approximately 100 times greater than the average number killed by active shooters on college campuses.
 Suicide contagion and clusters are more likely among young people in contained communities such as college campuses.
 The rate of suicide is between .5 and 7.5 per 100,000 among college students.
 Suicidal thoughts, making plans for suicide, and suicide attempts are higher among adults aged 18 to 25 than among adults over the age of 26.
 Thoughts of attempting suicide are reported to occur among 5% of grad students and 18% of undergrads.

Suicide prevention resources, addressing suicide prevention, information for suicide survivors, and help for friends in crisis in addition to other available counseling services, are available. Learn common misperceptions
about suicide and warning signs. Please share these resources, and others, with your campus community throughout Mental Health Month.
 Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Public-private partnership to advance the national strategy on suicide prevention
 American Association of Suicidology: Provides a college and university suicide prevention accreditation program in partnership with the Jed Foundation
 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Raises awareness, funds scientific research and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide
 International Association for Suicide Prevention; A non-governmental organization in official relationship with the World Health Organization concerned with suicide prevention
 Jed Foundation: Promotes young adult emotional health and works to prevent suicide
 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
 SAMSHA: Suicide Prevention: Provides suicide prevention information and other helpful resources to behavioral health professionals, the general public and people at risk
 Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Provides specific resources for colleges and universities in this section
of their website.

Tip of the Week: 8.26.16

Tip of the Week: 8.26.16
NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS) provides information and assistance about the issues of sexual assault, stalking and dating/partner violence. We are available 24 hours a day, by phone, text or email and we offer free confidential services. Feel free to contact us! Call or text 703.338.0834 or Email: nova.sas@nvcc.edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ed2xbJ8HHY&feature=youtu.be

“The Hunting Ground” will be shown at the AL Campus on 11.2.15, 11AM, AA196

We are excited to announce that NOVA will be screening The Hunting Ground on November 2, 2015! The Hunting Ground is a 2015 documentary about campus sexual assault. This documentary sheds light on the rape culture found on many college campuses. The viewing will be followed by a panel discussion with high-level NOVA administrators. This is a college-wide event but will take place at the Alexandria Campus.

The Hunting Ground screening
The Hunting Ground screening