 September is recognized as National Campus Safety Awareness Month which brings attention to the issue of safety on campus. This encourages public conversation about violence prevention on campuses all around our nation. Although it focuses on colleges and universities it can apply to high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. Students in the country become victims of sexual assault, robbery, stalking, homicide and other crimes.
According to campus crime statistics (2018-2020 American Samoa Community College general catalog) and Campus Safety and Security website our local college has within the years 2015-2018 had crime offenses. The highest number of committed offenses at ASCC are burglary, Liquor violation, drug violation and sexual harassment. Aside from sexual harassment and aggravated assault, no other serious violent offense such as rape, murder have been reported between 2015-2018. View photo below retrieved from American Samoa Community College General Catalog 2018-2020 Although, numbers are small for Campus crime at ASCC it is still too much for such a small college. Campus violence continues to be a significant issue among mainland schools and our local students attend or transfer to as they pursue higher education. As a community and a nation we need to unite to eradicate all forms of violence on campus and navigate solutions that will work for each campus across our nation. Throughout the rest of the month of September we will continue to raise awareness and encourage public conversation about violence prevention on campus, through our social media platforms. For more information on Campus Safety awareness you may contact us via phone 699-0272 or email asadsv@gmail.com.
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Written by: Jennifer Tofaeono
Victims of domestic violence have a high probability of a life with negative outcomes. Victims who live with issues of substance abuse and domestic violence are at heightened risk for adverse outcomes. Substance abuse and domestic violence intersect for both victims and perpetrators of violence, but the role of substance abuse is incredibly unique for victims and perpetrators, that impacts the family differently. Studies reveal fifty percent of men in batterer intervention programs have substance abuse issues and have been the perpetrator in acts of domestic violence. The definition of domestic violence is any behavior the purpose of which is to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member. Abuse is a learned behavior; not caused by anger, mental problems, drugs or alcohol or other common excuses. It is important to note substance use is an indirect effect of domestic violence, and not the cause of violence. For example, substance use by one individual in a relationship may lead to marital arguments that lead to acts of domestic violence. The best part is any negative learned behavior can be unlearned, and recovery is possible. September 2020 is National Recovery Month and is observed every September. Substance use treatment and mental health services can promote living a healthy and rewarding life. This year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Connections” to remind people in recovery and their support systems, that there are many victories to celebrate and things that could have been done differently. These feelings are found in many individuals, and it cannot be done alone. Important things to know, drugs do not help with anger. Many substances provide temporary relief from intense emotional feelings by creating sedating, relaxing effects. Long time users begin to develop a resistance, or tolerance that require higher quantities and leads to dependency and addiction. Some ways to manage anger effectively in addiction recovery is to take deep breaths and reassess what’s happening. Collect your feelings and try to separate yourself from the situation. You can Learn new ways to communicate that can help you to express yourself more effectively and improve relationships. Try developing new methods of coping with anger. Get involved with sports, work out, engage in creative writing, or singing a song. Find an activity that will help you to express yourself in a healthy, productive way. Lastly, avoid toxic situations. Certain places, people and situations can trigger an emotional response. Become aware of your triggers and avoid them to help minimize the risk of relapse. If you or your family need more information regarding recovery, please contact Department of Human Social Services 633-1571, Batter’s Intervention Program, or Tafuna Health Center, Behavioral Health Clinic: 699-6380.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act also known as The Clery Act is a Federal Law that requires all colleges and universities to publish information regarding crime on and around their campuses and is enforced by the United States Department of Education. All colleges and Universities, according to the Clery Act are required to do the following with regards to sexual assault:
1) Publish an Annual Security Report; 2) Disclose crime statistics for incidents that occur on campus, in unobstructed public areas immediately adjacent to or running through the campus and at certain non-campus facilities; 3) Issue timely warnings about Clery Act crimes which pose a serious or ongoing threat to students and employees; and 4) Devise an emergency response, notification, and testing policy. The Clery Act was named and passed after Jeanne Clery, who was raped and murdered in her dorm room by a fellow student on April 5, 1986 at Lehigh University. After her incident it led to increased attention on unreported crimes on numerous college campuses across the country. Thus, 4 years later in 1990, the Clery Act was enacted by congress. Since the enactment of the Clery Act, it has been amended 5 times to ensure increased safety and reporting measures. All schools and universities in the United States of America that receive any federal funding, including student financial aid, apply to The Clery Act. The significance of the Clery act is critical as it aids in fostering safe campuses around the nation. Students have the right to receive education in an environment where they will not be harmed or harassed. As we continue to raise awareness on Campus Safety for the month of September, we encourage students, parents and teachers to have knowledge on student rights and how to help create and foster safe campuses. Student voices need to be heard too!
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a Federal Law. This Law states that:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX is a federal mandate that protects students attending educational institutions from sex discrimination. The law says that students cannot be denied participation in any school program solely based on their sex. This law applies to all students, faculty and staff in federally funded education programs and activities. This includes private, parochial or other schools that also receive federal funding through different programs. Before Title IX came to pass, female college athletes did not receive the same opportunists that male college athletes received. "The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which was created in 1906 to format and enforce rules in men’s football but had become the ruling body of college athletics, offered no athletic scholarships for women and held no championships for women’s teams. Furthermore, facilities, supplies and funding were lacking. " Thus, leading to implementing such law to create equality between male and females in all educational institutes. Information Retrieved from https://www.knowyourix.org/ The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) applies to this act. If you would like to know more about this or who you could talk to at ASCC about title IX here is some information to help you : LEAD TITLE IX COORDINATOR Name: Mr. Sonny Leomiti Title: Vice President of Administration and Finance Address: PO BOX 2609 Pago Pago, AS 96799 Phone: (684) 699-9155 ext. 352 Email: s.leomiti@amsamoa.edu For more information on Campus Safety awareness you may contact us via phone 699-0272 or email asadsv@gmail.com. |
