Undoubtedly, OTC is located in the most beautiful part of the state, but not everything about southwest Missouri is pretty. Greene County has more domestic violence per capita than anywhere else in Missouri, and OTC students are not immune. In the 2016-17 academic year, the college received 68 reports of students being affected by domestic violence. So far this academic year, 14 reports have been received – that’s well over one per week.
Sometimes a student voluntarily reports that they are experiencing violence and seeks out help and resources from the college. Other times, an instructor or classmate notices physical signs of abuse or prolonged absences and makes the report so that OTC can intervene. Assistance provided by the college includes safety escorts, counseling services, monitoring campus for identified aggressors, and advocating on the students’ behalf with faculty and staff.
This week, in partnership with Harmony House, OTC will offer informative events and training workshops to raise awareness of domestic and interpersonal violence, and to encourage everyone in the OTC family to watch out for each other.
Check out the events at the Springfield campus below, and make plans to attend iCare Week. Let’s keep OTC safe.
iCare Information Booth
Tuesday, Oct. 24 – Friday, Oct. 27
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Information Commons, Jared Family Atrium – Springfield Campus
Stop by the iCare booth in the Jared Atrium to learn more about identifying and responding to domestic/intimate partner violence. Donate an item from Harmony House’s Urgent Needs List or make a small donation to Harmony House and receive your “black eye sticker” to wear in solidarity with local domestic violence survivors on Friday, Oct. 27. Urgent needs include:
- Baby wipes, paper towels
- 3-Ring pocket folders
- Allergy and upset stomach medicine
- Bath towels, washcloths, twin size comforters
- Liquid laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner
- 13 and 30-gallon trash bags, mops, brooms
- Deodorant, body wash, shampoo, hand soap with pump
- Paper cups, drinking straws, cleaning caddies
Escalation Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 25
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Information Commons East, Room 128 – Springfield Campus
This powerful, 90-minute, film-based program highlights relationship-violence awareness and prevention. Its producer, One Love Foundation, works with young people across the country to raise awareness about the warning signs of abuse and encourages communities to change the statistics around relationship violence.
Green Dot Training
Thursday, Oct. 26
3-4 p.m.
Information Commons, Room 208C – Springfield Campus
Thursday, Oct. 26
Noon – 1 p.m.
ZOOM Online Meeting (Register here)
Green Dot is a comprehensive approach to violence prevention that uses student leaders to affect positive cultural change from within the student body. The program seeks people to engage in proactive behaviors and reactive interventions in high-risk situations, with practical steps to intervene.
iCare “Black Eye” Public Awareness Event
Friday, Oct. 27
All day
Everywhere in Springfield
Join people throughout the community who will be taking the “iCare” pledge by wearing a symbolic black eye to raise awareness of the domestic violence problem in our community.
Have more questions?
For more information, contact Assistant Title IX Coordinator Autumn Porter at (417) 447-2686 or portera@otc.edu.
If you feel that you, or someone you know, needs assistance with issues ranging from class absenteeism to threats of self-harm or harm to others, contact OTCCares. OTCCares was established to protect the health and safety of our college community. Maintaining a safe environment allows students to focus on their education and get the most out of their time at the college.
###