The Victim Assistant 🐼

School is back in session and settling into college life should include evaluating and maintaining your safety on campus. Schools and colleges are valued institutions that help build upon the nation’s foundations and serve as an arena where the growth and stability of future generations begin. Crime in schools and colleges is therefore one of the most troublesome social problems in the Nation today. Not only does it affect those involved in the criminal incident, but it also hinders societal growth and stability (FBI Report: Crime in Schools and Colleges). In order to be safe on campus, we should all recognize the risks and be proactive. One of the most profound dangers that college students must face is the risk of sexual assault. One in five college students experiences sexual assault during their college career (White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, 2014). So the next step is to educate ourselves on sexual assault, prevention and consent! In addition to awa

It's that time again for "Gifts that Give Back". May is mental health awareness month and 1/4 American adults experience some form of mental illness in a given year (NAMI). What a great way to help those struggling with the difficulties and negative stigma sometimes associated with mental illness than to promote art therapy. Buy a pretty charm bracelet and all the proceeds go to Broken Light Collective, a photo sharing outlet for those living with mental illness c/o Danielle Stevens Jewelery. http://daniellestevens.com/broken-light-strength-bracelet.html More goods that give back are also featured in People Stylewatch June 2015. These goods provide support to worthy causes including Alzheimer's Association and Freedom of Animals. GO SHOP!

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on prevention. Prevention starts with learning about healthy sexual   interactions and consent. Consent goes beyond just a yes or no.....there is an extended dialog that needs to exist. For more information on consent and resources for preventing sexual assault please visit  http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/sexual-assault-awareness-month Info on consent   http://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/saam_2015_what-is-healthy-sexuality-and-consent.pdf

Two weeks ago, MLB ( Major League Baseball) announced that they implemented a domestic violence education program in collaboration with Futures Without Violence an organization committed to end violence against women through training and advocacy. Since the Ray Rice scandal, the NFL responded poorly with holding him accountable and their prolonged effort to take a stance on intolerance for family violence. MLB's approach seems more actionable but I still feel prevention involves the teaching of the dynamics of abuse, power and control, and coercive control. I'm not getting a clear picture of what MLB is doing better than the NFL. As a former crime victim advocate for law enforcement, I know the importance of teaching the public the truth about domestic violence. The truth is knowing and understanding what power and control can do to a person. Taking the approach of how to respond to violence in the workplace is not going to educate players on abuse. That is a totally different

1 in 3 young people will experience some form of abuse in their dating relationships. For this reason, I encourage parents and educators to talk to teens about healthy relationships. Encouraging our youth to value respect and equality in dating relationships will break the cycle of violence. During the month of February raise awareness by learning the warning signs of abuse and starting a conversation with your teen. February 3rd  is Time To Talk Day! Visit  teendvmonth.org  for more information on education, event list, and awareness days! If you feel you are in an abusive dating relationship please text "loveis" to 22522 Remember to follow me on Twitter for positive and informative tweets. Just click on my Twitter icon.

January is a time for new beginnings and a fresh start; however, many victims that endure the horrors of stalking do not find life so easy. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 7.5 million U.S. adults are stalked in one year. For this reason, more awareness needs to happen. The National Stalking Awareness Website can provide education and resources to help. You can also join the campaign to end stalking by tweeting or posting a message of hope or a stalking fact! Please visit  http://stalkingawarenessmonth.org/about