Title IX Awareness Events

October : Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner, and can take place in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, or between former spouses or partners. In its broadest sense, domestic violence also involves violence against children, parents, or the elderly. Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Data from CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS):

  • About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported some form of IPV-related impact.
  • Over 43 million women and 38 million men experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

 

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Houston Area Women’s Center, National Center for Victims of Crime, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Domestic Violence Hotline and WomensLaw.org.

To speak with an HCC Counselor, please click on the following link: https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/counseling/counselors-hcc/ 

If you would like to report an incident that occurred to you or another member of the HCC community, please click on the following link: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?HoustonCC&layout_id=4 

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July: Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month

What is Intimate Partner Violence?

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression that occurs in a close relationship. “Intimate Partner” refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV can vary in how often it happens and how severe it is. It can range from one episode of violence that could have lasting impact to chronic and severe episodes over multiple years.

 

IPV includes four types of behaviors:

  1. Physical Violence: is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.
  2. Sexual Violence: is forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (e.g. sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.
  3. Stalking: is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone close to the victim.
  4. Psychological Aggression: is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm another person mentally or emotionally and/or to exert control over another person.

 

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Data from CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS):

  • About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported some form of IPV-related impact.
  • Over 43 million women and 38 million men experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

 

To speak with an HCC Counselor, please click on the following link: https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/counseling/counselors-hcc/

If you would like to report an incident that occurred to you or another member of the HCC community, please click on the following link: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?HoustonCC&layout_id=4

 

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June: LGBTQ Pride Awareness Month

What is LGBTQ?

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Awareness is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and the community’s work to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for LGBTQ Americans. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have lost their lives due to hate crime or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Encouraging greater acceptance and support for all including those who are or are perceived to be LGBTQ, will make communities, schools, and other settings safer, better places for all. https://youth.gov/feature-article/june-lgbt-pride-month

The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found for LGB people:

  • 44 percent of lesbians and 61 percent of bisexual women experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, compared to 35 percent of straight women
  • 26 percent of gay men and 37 percent of bisexual men experience rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, compared to 29 percent of straight men
  • 46 percent of bisexual women have been raped, compared to 17 percent of straight women and 13 percent of lesbians
  • 22 percent of bisexual women have been raped by an intimate partner, compared to 9 percent of straight women
  • 40 percent of gay men and 47 percent of bisexual men have experienced sexual violence other than rape, compared to 21 percent of straight men
  • Within the LGBTQ community, transgender people and bisexual women face the most alarming rates of sexual violence. Among both of these populations, sexual violence begins early, often during childhood.

 

If you would like to report an incident that occurred to you or another member of the HCC community, please click on the following link: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?HoustonCC&layout_id=4

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April: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

April 1, 2020 marked the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Though we’re all experiencing a difficult and uncertain time during the COVID-19 crisis, it’s important to still come together, support survivors and help prevent sexual assault. We all play a role in preventing sexual assault and establishing norms of respect, safety, equality, and helping others. Together we can reduce instances of sexual assault by educating ourselves and our loved ones.

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence. It happens in every community and affects people of all genders and ages. Sexual assault is forced or coerced sexual contact without a person’s consent. It is a crime motivated by a need to control, humiliate, dominate and harm. This includes words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent. A person may use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence.

Forms of sexual assault include but are not limited to:

  • Child molestation
  • Child sexual abuse
  • Child sexual assault and incest
  • Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to other(s) without consent
  • Forcing a person to pose for sexual pictures
  • Immobilization of the victim
  • Masturbating in public
  • Nonconsensual image sharing
  • Oral sex
  • Physical battering
  • Sexual assault by a person’s spouse or partner
  • Sexual exploitation and trafficking
  • Sexual harassment
  • Unwanted sexual contact/touching/fondling above and under clothing
  • Watching someone engage in private sexual acts without their knowledge or permission

If you would like to report an incident of sexual assault that occurred to you or another member of the HCC community, please click on following link: Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Complaint Form.

 

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February: Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Awareness and Prevention Month

February: Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Awareness and Prevention Month

What is teen dating violence?
Teen Dating Violence is physical harm, psychological or sexual abuse, harassment, or stalking of any person ages 12 to 18 in the context of a past or present romantic or consensual relationship. TDV is also known as dating violence, intimate relationship violence, or intimate partner violence.

TDV includes four types of behavior:

  • Physical violence - when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.
  • Sexual violence - forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (e.g., sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.
  • Psychological aggression - the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm another person mentally or emotionally and/or exert control over another person.
  • Stalking - is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone close to the victim.

 

For more information, click on the links below.

  1. Teen Dating Violence 
  2. Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
  3. Houston Area Womens's Center
  4. Preventing Teen Dating Violence (PDF)
  5. Dating Violence Prevention
  6. Warning signs/types of abuse (PDF)
  7. The Signs Teen Dating Violence (YouTube Video)