Events, NOVACares, Public Safety, Training Opportunities, Uncategorized

NOVA Police to Offer Bomb Threat Awareness Training

BT FlyerMarch Dates –

register by emailing

tong@nvcc.edu

 

Bomb Threats Topics Include:   The destructiveness of bombs   Penalties for false bomb threats   Prevention techniques   Response options   Additional resources Dates/Locations: (rooms TBD)   March 3, Annandale Campus from noon-1pm   March 4, MEC Campus noon-1pm… March 5, Alexandria Campus from noon-1pm   March 7, Woodbridge Campus from noon-1pm   March 11, Loudoun Campus from noon-1pm   March 12, Manassas Campus from noon-1pm Please RSVP to Officer Ong (tong@nvcc.edu) if you plan to attend this presentation.
Events, Mental Health Resources, NOVACares, Resources, Training Opportunities

Recognizing and Responding to Distressed Students in Your Classroom – MaryAnn Raybuck and Nan Peck

Mark your calendars for this workshop on March 28th from 10-2 at the AN campus!
Recognizing and Responding to Distressed Students in Your Classroom – MaryAnn Raybuck and Nan Peck presenting
Have you noticed a student who appears to be preoccupied and unable to stay focused and engaged in class? Recognizing and responding to students with mental health issues is a real concern for many teaching faculty.
Join us for a complimentary seminar on Friday, March 28, from 10-2 to explore your concerns about responding to students with mental health issues.
NOVA’s Student Mental Health and Behavior Case Manager MaryAnn Raybuck and Associate Professor of Communication Studies Nan Peck will facilitate the discussion.
Join us at NOVA’s Annandale Campus, Room CN 117, www.nvcc.edu/about-nova/maps-directions/annandale/
This seminar is sponsored by NOVA’s Student Services and VCCS’s Northern Regional Center for Teaching Excellence. Space is limited to 50 participants. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/keppbb2
NOVACares, Public Safety, Sexual Assault Services

Your Safety at NOVA

http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/police/psnewsletters/publicsafetynewsletter_Oct2013SpecialEdition.pdf

“Your Safety at NOVA” originally posted in the NOVA Police Public Safety Newsletter on October 24, 2013.

Don’t forget that you can file a report through NOVACares at www.nvcc.edu/novacares on anything that concerns or worries you.

NOVA’s campuses are extremely safe, as demonstrated by state crime statistics that show a significant drop (more than 40%) in serious crimes on campus since 2010. This progress is a
result of the hiring of additional professional officers in the past few years, a college-wide police dispatch center that operates 24/7/365, better information sharing, an aggressive community
outreach program with security oriented training brought to each campus, and increased training of our officers.
In spite of this reduced crime statistic, recent sexual assaults on or near the Annandale and Loudoun campuses remind us we may confront predators here at NOVA. In response to these crimes, NOVA Police have active on-going investigations. We have dedicated significant resources to investigate these crimes and deter future crimes. We are working closely with local law enforcement agencies. In addition to our investigations, the College has taken or is taking the following steps:
Increased officer presence at affected campuses with officers from other campuses and are patrolling the interior and exterior of the campus buildings.
Deployed electronic signs telling campus personnel to call dispatch (703) 764-5000 for police escorts to vehicles.
Working closely with local police departments and have their officers increasing their patrols in and around our campuses.
Directed Parking and Facilities personnel, along with and other College entities, to notify the Police of suspicious activity.
Installed temporary lights in selected locations.
Evaluating campus lighting to identify locations that merit new lights or the redeployment of existing lights.
Developing a self-defense class that will be brought to each campus within the next four to six weeks.
The following safeguards can help you avoid becoming a victim of an assault. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself, and also discourage those who commit crimes. Remember — predators seek out those who appear weak and/or who are unaware of their environment.
Do not walk (or drive) with headphones or while texting.
Constantly scan your surroundings and be alert for suspicious persons. Report suspicious activity to the Police.
PAGE 2
Try NOT to walk alone at night; walk in a group. If you must travel alone, do not take shortcuts or walk in or near alleys, poorly lighted areas, or shrubbery. If you want an escort to your vehicle, call police dispatch and an officer will be sent to your location.
Do not get into an empty elevator with a stranger. If must do ride with a stranger, stand near the control panel and if attacked, press as many of the control buttons as possible.
Do not avert your eyes. Be confident. Predators choose the weak.
If you are out late, ask a police officer or a co-worker to walk you to your car.
When approaching your vehicle, have your keys in hand so you can open the car door without delay and check the back seat before getting in.
Always lock your doors when driving, and even when just sitting in your car.
In the event you are attacked, take the following steps:
Be verbally assertive.
Do not avert your eyes. Try to remember as much as you can about the assailant’s race, face (eye color, facial hair), weight, height, hair color, speech (accent, stutter), clothing, jewelry, scars/tattoos and direction of travel. The police will need this information.
Distract or divert the assailant, then flee. Run toward people or an open building.
Scream loudly and keep it up to attract attention and help from people near you.
Notify the Police as soon as possible and if there are witnesses, ask them to stay until police arrive. It is critical you report the crime, with as many details about the suspect, to police to allow us to gather all the facts about the crime, generate necessary resources and assign them to appropriate posts. If you don’t report a crime, the criminal will continue to operate without interference.
Sign up for NOVA Alerts at http://alert.nvcc.edu to receive the latest information on recent and developing public safety incidents on campus.
Review the Police/OEMP Monthly Public Safety Newsletter for safety information and listings of upcoming police training.
In order to expedite NOVA’s provision of the most appropriate and timely service to victims, please note the following points of contact and program these numbers into your cell phone:

For sexual assaults and other crimes, call the Police at (703) 764-5000.

To obtain information about sexual assault support services and victim advocacy, call Student Mental Health and Behavior Director, Connie Kirkland at (571) 422-5339.

For sexual harassment (e.g., inappropriate language and sexual discrimination), call the College’s Title IX Administrator, Therman Coles at (703) 323-3266.

One of NOVA’s best attributes is our sense of community. Caring, observant and involved students, faculty and staff, working together with the College’s professional police department, can continue to improve safety and security on our campuses.

NOVACares, Sexual Assault Services, Uncategorized

New Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Coordinator Joins NOVACares Team

Announcing a new addition to our team!

Please help us welcome Ms. Negar Ehsani to the NOVACares Team. Ms. Ehsani has accepted the Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Coordinator position. Negar has a Master’s of Social Work from George Mason University. She has experience from her position as Sexual Assault Outreach Specialist at the Fairfax County Office for Women and Domestic Sexual Violence Services. Negar comes to us with extensive community resource information for accessing community resources and programs in the NOVA area. Negar is bilingual (English and Farsi).

Negar, we are so happy that you have chosen to join the NOVACares team!

Uncategorized

NOVA PD – Upcoming Trainings

There are several upcoming opportunities to attend NOVA Police Trainings.  Please take the time to attend both trainings offered.
(1) “Crimes Against Women/Self-Defense Considerations Training”
Upcoming NOVA Police Outreach Training NOVA Police will conduct College-Wide training sessions on responding to crimes against women and self-defense considerations. If you are interested in this or any other training, please RSVP to NOVA Police’s Community Outreach Officer, Tony Ong, at tong@nvcc.edu.
Topics include:
• How to avoid sexual assault…, domestic violence, and stalking. • What to do if you are a victim. • Police guidance on relevant topics, such as protective orders, police reporting options and more.
• Demonstrations of self-defense responses and tactics (this will NOT be a hands on session for participants).
• Resources in your community.
Dates/Locations:
January 27 Alexandria Campus from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in AA 158
                     Loudoun Campus from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in LR 105
January 28 Annandale Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in CA 317
January 29 Manassas Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (location TBD)
January 30 Medical Education Campus from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room 352
                     Woodbridge Campus from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in WAS 336
(2) Upcoming NOVA Police Outreach Training “Bystander Intervention Training”
Topics include:
• What is bystander intervention?
• How bystander intervention can keep you and others safe.
• Intervention tips and more.
Dates/Locations:
February 10 Annandale Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in CA 305
                       Medical Education Campus from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in room 352
February 11 Alexandria Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in AA 196
February 12 Manassas Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (location TBD)
February 13 Loudoun Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in LR 105
February 14 Woodbridge Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in WAS 356
Mental Health Resources, NOVACares, Public Safety, Resources, Sexual Assault Services

See the Signs: Help Stop Domestic Violence

1426245_10151841728380488_1768242224_nThis image is part of a campaign brought to you by the Avon Foundation for Women.

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, income, race, ethnicity or religion – and many often blame themselves. 1 in every 7 men and 1 in every 4 women are physically abused by a partner (CDC, 2010). Share this post & help your friends #SeeTheSigns.

Events, NOVACares, Resources

Donate your old cell phones to HopeLine

The NVCC Alumni Federation is partnering with Verizon Wireless this year to help end domestic violence. HopeLine® from Verizon Wireless helps support victims and survivors of domestic violence while ensuring that phones are reused or recycled in an environmentally responsible way. Anyone can donate no-longer-used phones (from any provider), batteries and accessories to HopeLine; Verizon then uses the proceeds from these donations to provide cash grants to domestic violence organizations across the United States.

 

“One in four women, one in nine men and more than 3 million children in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence,” says Cameka Crawford, manager of community relations and multicultural communications at Verizon Wireless. “The HopeLine program is an opportunity for customers to help Verizon and nonprofit organizations break the cycle of violence in the United States.” HopeLine supports programs available to victims (those still in contact with their batterer) and survivors (those who have left their batterer and are now in a safe space).

 

Cell phones into cash grants
HopeLine funds support many different domestic violence programs. Verizon Wireless gives cash grants to local domestic violence organizations and technology programs that educate organizations and victims on the importance of using technology wisely and safely.

 

“One of our key partners that we fund through HopeLine, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, provides 24-hour support to anyone affected by domestic violence, including victims, their friends and their family,” says Crawford. “And customers can quickly and confidentially get access to these services by dialing #HOPE (#4673) from any phone on the Verizon Wireless network.”

 

A lifeline for victims
Verizon Wireless provides phones with 3,000 minutes to domestic violence organizations, which then pass the phones out to victims or survivors in need. A HopeLine phone gives victims a lifeline to the outside world and their family members—beyond the control of the abuser. For those who have escaped their abusive situation, a HopeLine phone keeps them connected to their families, to law enforcement, to their employers, to medical care and to their children’s schools.

 

How you can help

Since HopeLine became a national recycling program in 2001, it has collected more than 9 million phones, granted more than $14.2 million in cash to organizations across the country and provided more than 123,000 phones for use by domestic violence victims. But there’s still work to be done. From December 2nd through December 20th, donate your old phones, batteries and accessories, and drop them off at a collection box located at the following NOVA locations:

 

Annandale Campus Counseling office – CA Building and the Annandale campus Library

Medical Education Campus Student Life office, Suite 140 and the Student Services office, Room 202

Woodbridge Campus, WC Building, 2nd Floor, Information Desk and WC Building, first floor, Student Activities office

NVCC Educational Foundation Office, Pitney Bowes Building (NW), Suite 817

NVCC Offices at Pender 2, Suite 150

 

Donations are also welcome throughout the year. Here are two options:

  • Print a postage-paid label online and adhere it to your shipping box. Be sure to review shipping instructions carefully and include a return address on the label before you mail it.
  • Use the HopeLine app to locate the nearest Verizon Wireless store and drop off your phone.