National Awareness Months

National Stalking Awareness Month calls attention to stalking behaviors, their effects on people who experience them, and the importance of recognizing and reporting concerning conduct.

Stalking involves behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or experience significant emotional distress.

Common Stalking Behaviors

Stalking may include:

• Repeated unwanted communications, including calls, hang-ups, voicemails, text messages, photos, emails, or social media messages.
• Showing up unexpectedly at someone’s home, workplace, or school.
• Watching, following, or tracking someone online or in person.
• Entering or tampering with someone’s home or vehicle to frighten them or signal the person’s presence.
• Leaving unusual, possibly threatening, or unwanted items or gifts.

Reporting, Support, and Training

• Review ways to report a concern.
• Find campus and community safety contacts.
• Access interpersonal-violence prevention training and resources.

OTC students may access SPARC Go, a sexual and interpersonal violence prevention and response course, through Canvas. Employee training is available through the Canvas Catalog.

Downloadable Awareness Materials

• National Stalking Awareness Month poster (PDF, 1 page)
• Stalking awareness infographic (PDF, 2 pages)

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month promotes healthy, respectful relationships and helps people recognize signs of controlling, abusive, or unsafe behavior.

Teen dating violence refers to violence committed by someone who is currently, or was previously, in a romantic or intimate relationship with the person experiencing the violence. Dating violence can affect people in intimate relationships at any age.

Orange Technical College prohibits dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Understanding the Relationship Spectrum

Relationships may include healthy, unhealthy, or abusive patterns. The examples below are not a complete list.

Healthy Relationships

Healthy relationships are based on equality and respect. Characteristics may include:

• Respect and kindness.
• Open and honest communication.
• Trust and honesty.
• Equality and partnership.
• Respect for each person’s needs and boundaries.

Unhealthy Relationships

Unhealthy relationships may involve attempts to control the other person. Signs may include:

• Breakdowns in communication.
• Pressure or dishonesty.
• Struggles for control.
• Inconsiderate behavior.

Abusive Relationships

Abusive relationships are based on an imbalance of power and control. Signs may include:

• Accusations and blame shifting.
• Isolation or pressure to withdraw from other people.
• Manipulation.
• Controlling behavior.

Building Healthy Relationship Habits

• Know your values. Consider what matters to you and what you need from a healthy relationship.
• Define your boundaries and deal-breakers. Learn to say no and communicate your needs.
• Communicate openly and honestly. Treat other people with respect and kindness.
• Build confidence and self-esteem. Use positive affirmations and focus on self-improvement rather than perfection.
• Take care of yourself. Support your well-being through healthy habits, enough sleep, exercise, hobbies, and meaningful friendships.

Red Flags for Unhealthy or Abusive Relationships

Warning signs may include:

• Excessive jealousy or insecurity.
• Checking a partner’s phone, email, or social media accounts without permission.
• Vandalizing or damaging a partner’s personal property.
• Any form of physical abuse.
• Pressuring a partner into unwanted sexual activity.
• Controlling behavior.
• Unusual moodiness or explosive outbursts.
• Isolating a partner from friends or family.

If You Are Concerned About Your Own Behavior

Recognizing harmful behavior and accepting responsibility are important first steps toward change.

• Be honest with yourself and others about abusive behavior and avoid making excuses for causing harm.
• Develop healthier coping strategies, such as exercising, journaling, or talking with a trusted person other than your partner.
• Recommit to positive change after setbacks and continue working on self-awareness, coping skills, and healthy communication.
• Remember that change can take time, but harming another person is never acceptable.
• Seek professional assistance or counseling to help address abusive behavior.

Reporting, Support, and Training

• Review ways to report a concern.
• Find campus and community safety contacts.
• Access interpersonal-violence education and support.
• Access interpersonal-violence prevention training and resources.
• Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting START to 88788.

OTC students may access SPARC Go, a sexual and interpersonal violence prevention and response course, through Canvas. Employee training is available through the Canvas Catalog.

Downloadable Awareness Materials

• Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month materials (PDF, 3 pages)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month focuses on preventing sexual violence, promoting consent and healthy boundaries, and connecting people who have experienced harm with support.

Students and employees are encouraged to learn how to respond to a disclosure, support someone who has experienced harm, recognize concerning behavior, and use available reporting and assistance options.

What Is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault involves touching another person in a sexual manner without that person’s consent.

Understanding Consent

Consent is a clear, voluntary agreement to sexual activity. It is an ongoing process rather than a one-time question, and it can be withdrawn at any time.

Consent to one sexual act does not mean consent to another act. Previous sexual activity also does not establish consent for future activity.

Consent Is Not Present When:

• A person is sleeping or unconscious.
• A person is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol.
• Someone uses threats or intimidation to obtain agreement.
• A person changes their mind or withdraws consent.
• Someone ignores words or nonverbal signals to stop, such as pushing away.
• Consent was given for one sexual act but not another.
• Someone is repeatedly pressured or made to feel guilty until they say yes.

Examples of Responses That Do Not Communicate Consent

• No.
• Maybe later.
• I’m not sure.
• Stop.
• This makes me uncomfortable.
• We’ve done this before.

Examples of Clear, Affirmative Responses

• Yes.
• Absolutely.
• I want to.
• I’m sure.
• I’m comfortable.

A person may change their mind at any time. When someone does not give a clear, voluntary yes—or communicates uncertainty or discomfort—sexual activity should not continue.

Support Is Available

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. Campus and community resources can provide confidential or private support, reporting assistance, safety planning, and other services.

• Review ways to report a concern.
• Find Title IX, campus, and community safety contacts.
• Access interpersonal-violence education and support.
• Access sexual and interpersonal-violence prevention training.

Online Prevention and Response Training

OTC students may access SPARC Go, a sexual and interpersonal violence prevention and response course, through Canvas. Employee training is available through the Canvas Catalog. Sign in using your OCPS email account.

Sexual-Violence Awareness Statistics

Sexual violence affects people of all genders and can have lasting physical and emotional effects:

• Someone in the United States is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds.
• 81% of women and 43% of men have experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault during their lifetime.
• One in three women and approximately one in four men have experienced completed or attempted rape.
• Approximately 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police.
• In 8 out of 10 sexual-assault cases, the person who experienced the assault knew the person who committed it.
• Sexual assault can contribute to post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other lasting effects.

Post-traumatic stress disorder may cause a person to experience fear, anxiety, or other effects of trauma long after the immediate danger has passed.

Denim Day

Denim Day is an opportunity to wear jeans with a purpose and show support for people affected by sexual violence. The campaign uses denim as a symbol of support while encouraging education and awareness.

• Learn more about Denim Day through the Victim Service Center of Central Florida.
• Share Denim Day photos using the tags @VSCFlorida, #DenimDay, and #OCPSOTC.

Downloadable Awareness Materials

• Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day poster (PDF, 1 page)
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month infographic (PDF, 2 pages)

National Campus Safety Awareness Month promotes safe and supportive learning environments by highlighting emergency preparedness, reporting options, situational awareness, and shared responsibility for campus well-being.

Students and employees should understand how to report concerns, receive emergency notifications, locate support contacts, identify nearby exits and safety points, and respond appropriately during an emergency.

Know Your Reporting Options

Crimes, emergencies, suspicious activity, and other safety concerns may be reported in several ways:

• Call 911 for any situation requiring an immediate police, fire, or medical response.
• Contact an OTC campus administrator, Campus Security Authority, or OCPS District Police for non-emergency law-enforcement assistance.
• Submit an anonymous tip through the FortifyFL Suspicious Activity Reporting app.
• Review OTC’s reporting options and campus and law-enforcement contacts.

School Identification

OCPS and OTC require students, employees, and visitors to display a photo identification badge for security purposes while on campus.

Practice Situational Awareness

Situational awareness means observing what is happening around you, considering what it may mean, deciding how to respond, and taking appropriate action.

1. Observe. Pay attention to sights, sounds, surroundings, behavior, and your intuition.
2. Orient. Use your training, education, experience, and knowledge of the environment to assess the situation.
3. Decide. Determine whether something appears unsafe or suspicious and identify an appropriate response.
4. Act. Take action, such as moving to safety, contacting campus personnel, reporting the concern, or requesting assistance.

For example, if you notice an unknown person behaving suspiciously near your vehicle, you might return to the OTC building, report the concern, and request assistance or an escort.

Know Your Campus and Surroundings

• Get oriented. Learn the layout of your campus and the quickest routes to important locations.
• Reduce distractions. Limit the use of phones, computers, headphones, or other devices while walking so you can focus on your surroundings.
• Familiarize yourself with nearby safety points. Know the locations of campus security offices, well-lit areas, hospitals, and other places where assistance may be available.
• Scan the area. Notice exits, barriers, suspicious objects, unusual behavior, and anything that appears out of place.
• Know your exits. Identify exit routes and consider how you would leave buildings, elevators, vehicles, public transportation, or outdoor areas during an emergency.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation makes you feel unsafe or uneasy, move away from it and seek assistance.

Safety Escorts

Upon request and depending on staff availability, OTC Security or OCPS District Police may provide an escort to a vehicle or another campus location.

Program Safety Reminders

• Check and use all required safety equipment, including appropriate eye protection and clothing.
• Keep work areas clean to help prevent accidents.
• Do not operate program machinery unless you are authorized and properly trained.
• Use proper lifting techniques by lifting with your legs rather than your back.
• Report unsafe conditions, accidents, and injuries promptly.

Downloadable Awareness Materials

• Campus Safety Awareness Month flyer (PDF, 3 pages)

Domestic Violence Awareness Month calls attention to the effects of domestic violence and promotes education, support for people affected by abuse, healthy relationships, and pathways to safety.

More than 12 million people are affected by domestic violence each year. Raising awareness, supporting people who experience abuse, and connecting people with assistance can help create safer relationships and communities.

Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2023.

Get Help and Support

Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

• Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Text: Text START to 88788
• Online chat: Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website.

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need an immediate police, fire, or medical response.

OTC Reporting and Support Resources

OTC provides reporting options, campus contacts, educational resources, and connections to community assistance for people affected by domestic violence.

• Review ways to report a concern.
• Find Title IX, campus, and community support contacts.
• Access interpersonal-violence support and education.
• Access interpersonal-violence prevention training and resources.

SPARC Go Interpersonal-Violence Training

SPARC Go provides education about sexual and interpersonal violence prevention and response. Review the SPARC Go training page for student and employee access information.

Downloadable Awareness Material

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month flyer (JPG image)