Safety and Security

Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. Domestic violence is also a pattern of controlling behaviors that may include physical, sexual or emotional abuse. It is a choice made by the batterer.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, whether married, living together, or just dating. It can also happen in same-sex relationships. Domestic violence affects people of all economic, marital, sexual and educational backgrounds. It is about physical, psychological and financial control. It also affects family, friends, co-workers and the community. Domestic violence is a crime and it is not the victim’s fault.

Domestic violence meas a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by—

Current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim.
A person with whom the victim shares a child in common.
A person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner,
A person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies [under VAWA] or
Any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.

Coping with Domestic Violence

Recognize that domestic violence is a serious problem.
Talk to somebody you trust.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, call your local law enforcement department for help.
Seek help and guidance from organizations, such as shelters, mental health centers and churches.

The Reality

Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
One in four women will experience domestic violence during lifetime.
1 in 3 women, who is a victim of homicide, is murdered by her current or former partner.
Women experience more than 4 million physical assaults and rapes because of their partners, and men are the victims of nearly 3 million physical assaults.
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury requiring serous medical attention for women ages 18-49.
50% of husbands who frequently assault their wives also frequently abuse their children.
Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work each year as a result of the violence.

Warning Signs of Domestic Violence (Red Flags)
Some examples your partner may exhibit are as follows:

Hurtful teasing in private or in public.
Calls you names such as “stupid” or “bitch.”
Acts jealous of your friends, family, co-workers.
Makes fun of you, your friends, your activities.
Gets angry about your clothes or hairstyle.
Checks up on you by calling or driving by.
Goes with you “just to keep an eye on you.”
Insists on knowing who you talk to on the phone.
Blames you for his/her problems or bad moods.
Makes you feel like you have to “walk on eggshells.”
Hits wall, drives dangerously to scare you.
Drinks or uses drugs.
Won’t let you see family or friends.
Accuses you of being interested in someone else.
Forces you to do things you don’t want to do.
Dares you to do things you don’t normally do.
Challenges you to prove your love or loyalty.
Gets drunk or high to punish you.
Forces you to have sex.
Intimidates you with guns, knives, or other weapons.
Threatens to kill you or commit suicide if you leave.
Acts like “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”

Prevention

Learn how to become a better communicator with your spouse and family.
Do not abuse alcohol or drugs, which could make domestic abuse worse.
Look for positive solutions to your problems.
Seek help at the earliest signs of domestic abuse.

Have a safety Plan

If you are a victim of domestic violence, create a safety plan that includes routes of escape, phone numbers of trusted friends, shelters and domestic violence hotlines.
Pack a survival kit with a change of clothes, keys, ID, cash, birth certificate (for you and your children), medicine and prescriptions, pictures of the family and the abuser, proof of income pay stubs, financial statements, the abuser’s personal information (date of birth, social security number, place of employment), health care information, money (if possible), address books and legal documents. Store it with someone you trust.
Have a signal for help with trusted friends and neighbors.
Teach your children how to escape and get help.
Open a separate savings and credit card account.
Review the plan every month.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A CRIME covered under Florida Statute 741.28 and can be reported to law enforcement.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A VIOLATION OF SJR STATE COLLEGE POLICY.If the accused is a student, the matter can be reported to Student Judicial Affairs for disciplinary review and possible disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the College. St. Johns River State College will provide an orderly disciplinary process to insure the following objectives:

Provide a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution.
Will be conducted by officials who receive annual training on issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.
The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during an institutional disciplinary proceeding including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice.
Both the accuser and accused shall be simultaneously informed, in writing, of:

The outcome of the institutional disciplinary proceeding.
The institution’s procedures for the accused and the victim to appeal the results.
Any change in the results that occur prior to the time the results become final.
When the results become final.

Information about how the institution will protect the confidentiality of victims.
Written notification of students about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, and other services available for victim’s on-campus and in the community.
Written notification of victims about options for, and available assistance in, changing academic, living, transportation, and working situations, if requested by the victim and such accommodations are reasonable available, regardless of whether the victim chooses to report the crime to campus police or local law enforcement.
A student or employee who reports to the institution that they have been a victim of one of the aforementioned crimes shall be provided with a written explanation of the student or employee’s rights and options.

Bystander Intervention.
If you see a crime in progress, notify Campus Safety and Security and call 911 as soon as possible. If it is not safe to personally intervene, continue to describe the incident to the 911 operator and describe exactly what you are witnessing and the location of the crime. The 911 operator will ask you questions regarding description of the suspect; if you see any weapon; information regarding the victim and possible injuries. If it is safe to do so, yell in a loud voice that the police have been called and they are responding. You may also call for help in a loud voice to let the perpetrator know that someone is observing what is happening. Be careful not to put yourself in harm’s way. Approach the victim if safe to do so and provide aid and assistance until law enforcement or medical authorities arrive. Provide all information you know about the crime to the responding officer(s).

Legal Protection

Many states require that police officers arrest abusers if domestic violence has occurred.
Victims can request temporary restraining orders that can assist until a permanent one can be granted by the court.
Victims may also be able to get additional financial support and temporary custody of children.

How Do I Get an Order of Protection?

Contact your local law enforcement victim advocate. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office – 386-329-0801 (Palatka),
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Offices – 904-824-8304 (St. Augustine),
Clay County Sheriff’s Office – 904-264-6512 (Orange Park)
Contact your local State Attorney’s Office victim advocate.
Clay County – 904-284-6319,
Putnam County – 386-329-0259,
St. Johns County – 904-823-2300
Contact your local Clerk of Court. Clay County – 904-269-6363,
Putnam County – 386-326-7640,
St. Johns County – 904-819-3600

How Do I Get Assistance While on Campus?
Contact the Department of Campus Safety and Security 24/7

Director of Campus Safety & Security Brian Keith (386) 312-4064 - Office
Palatka Campus Officer on Duty: (386) 937-2052
Office: (386) 312-4095
Administration: (386) 312-4200-Option 9
Orange Park Campus Officer on Duty: (904) 626-5885
Office: (904) 276-6760
Administration: (904) 276-6800-Option 9
St. Augustine Campus Officer on Duty: (904) 626-5956
Office: (904) 808-7495
Administration: (904) 808-7400-Option 9
Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts Officer on Duty: (904) 626-5885

Help is available whether you choose to report a crime or not. Please Contact:

Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 500-1119
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence TTY Hotline (800) 621-4202
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-SAFE(7233)
Lee Conlee House, Inc., Domestic Violence Center, Putnam County (386) 325-3141
Florida Department of Health in Putnam County (800) 440-0420 or (386) 326-3200
Quigley House, Clay County (800) 339-5017 or (904) 284-0061
Betty Griffin House, St. Johns County (904) 824-1555
National Dating Abuse Helpline and Love is Respect (866) 331-9474; TTY (800) 787-3224; or text LOVEIS to 22522 or www.loveisrespect.org