Personal Safety Education

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. The most dangerous period in an abusive relationship is when the victim attempts to leave, leaves, or has left the relationship. It's easy to tell someone to leave but if it isn't planned with the help of others, it can be lethal to leave. A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan to improve your safety while experiencing abuse, preparing to leave an abusive situation, or after you leave. In this workshop, participants will learn to create a personalized plan to reference whenever they need it. This is a virtual event.

• Monday, March 30 | 1:00–2:30 PM
  Register here new window
  
  
• Monday, April 13 | 1:00–2:30 PM
  Register here new window

*There is a drawing for an iHome Alarm Clock with Bluetooth speaker and USB charger. 

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Join us for a panel discussion exploring how the digital world intersects with sexual violence. From social media and dating apps to online harassment and exploitation, this session brings together law enforcement, legal experts, clinicians, and community educators to discuss real-world issues impacting students today.

Participants will gain insight into how digital spaces can be used to harm—and how to protect themselves and others. This session also provides an opportunity to ask questions, learn practical prevention strategies, and better understand available resources.

• Thursday, April 2 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  Location: Rockville Campus, Technical Center (TC-136) + Zoom option
  Register here new window

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The Bystander Intervention Training program teaches students about gender-based violence, consent, and bystander intervention skills. Upon completion, students will know how to safely intervene in situations that could immediately lead to violence and how to interrupt a culture that is permissive of gender violence. Students will acquire intervention tools to use in situations that seem risky in order to become effective and active bystanders. The BIT program engages in topics including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, survivor empathy, and consent. This is a virtual event.

Virtual Session

• Monday, April 6 | 1:00–2:30 PM
  Register here new window 

*There is a drawing for PowerBeats by Dre wireless earphones. Only those who attend are entered in the drawing.

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This workshop highlights the warning signs of relationship abuse and domestic violence, helping participants recognize how unhealthy behaviors can escalate into dangerous situations. While not solely focused on sexual violence, Escalation addresses the broader dynamics of abusive relationships—where sexual violence is often present. In fact, over half of women who experience physical abuse by an intimate partner also experience sexual violence.* Often described as “eye-opening” and “deeply familiar,” this session empowers participants to recognize abuse and ask, “What can I do to stop it?”
This is an in-person event.  Snacks are provided at this event.

• Wednesday, April 9 | 1:00–2:30 PM
  Location: RC204, Takoma Park / Silver Spring Campus (In-person)
  
  
• Tuesday, April 29 | 1:00–2:30 PM
  Location: SV001, Rockville Campus (In-person)

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Stop by our Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Resource Table to learn more about prevention, support, and available resources. Trauma Services will be on-site sharing information, resources, and giveaways as part of our SAAM campaign.

This year’s focus includes raising awareness about digital sexual assault and drink spiking prevention. Visit us in the Student Atrium, connect with resources, and help bring greater awareness to sexual violence prevention.

Wednesday, April 9  | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Rockville Campus – Student Atrium (SV Atrium)

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Virtual Consent Workshop – SAAM 2026 "Join us for an engaging and interactive Virtual Consent Workshop facilitated by a sexual health educator from Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC, in partnership with the Student Wellness Center. This workshop is part of our Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) 2026 programming and is designed to foster a deeper understanding of consent, boundaries, and healthy communication in relationships. During this 90-minute session, participants will:

• Explore the foundations of affirmative, enthusiastic, and ongoing consent
• Discuss common myths and misconceptions about consent
• Learn practical strategies for effective communication and boundary-setting
• Engage in scenario-based discussions to apply consent principles in real-life situations

This workshop is open to all students and community members looking to build a culture of respect and consent in their personal and social interactions. Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will provide valuable insights and skills to support safer, more respectful relationships.

Date: TBD

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Join a Trauma Services clinician for an interactive workshop focused on understanding trauma and the healing process. This session explores what trauma is, how it affects the body and mind, and practical ways to support your own healing or help someone else.

Participants will leave with tools and strategies that can be used in moments of stress, along with a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts individuals in everyday situations.

• Tuesday, April 14 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  Register here new window

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Sexual harassment is a prominent problem, and it is a large complaint for many MC students.  No one deserves to be sexually harassed!  Sexual harassment interferes with those targeted from learning, working, and living peacefully.  This workshop will engage you in challenging your preconceived ideas about sexual harassment and educate you on how to help prevent it.  To achieve ideal conditions for everyone, participants will learn important knowledge and skills to aid in achieving the safest learning space.  Participants will learn to:

1. Identify sexual harassment behavior and issues and stop them.
2. Identify the difference between sexual harassment and discrimination.
3. Understand and identify boundaries.
4. Recognize correct and incorrect behavior.
5. Become aware of the legal rights and implications related to sexual harassment. 

This is a virtual event.

• Tuesday, April 21 | 1:00–2:30 PM
  Register here new window 

There is a drawing for an Emerge Helix Content Creator Portable Studio Kit for livestreaming, content creation, and more. The kit includes a LED ring light, microphone, tripod mount, universal holder and rig-to create studio level content with just a smartphone.

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What actually happens after a Title IX report is made? What are your options—and how do you decide what to do?

This interactive virtual session breaks down Title IX in a real, student-centered way. Instead of focusing on policy language, we’ll walk through what students need to know before something happens—so you can make informed decisions if it ever does.

In this session, you will:

• Learn what Title IX means in plain language
• Understand what happens after a report is made
• Explore common student scenarios and options
• Learn how to access support and resources at Montgomery College
• Ask questions anonymously in a live Q&A

Whether you’re looking for information for yourself or to support a friend, this session will help you feel more prepared, informed, and confident about your options. This is a virtual event.

Monday, April 27 | 10:30 AM | Virtual
Register here new window 

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This is a film viewing and discussion about relationship violence. In the film are the stories of people impacted by dating violence — survivors who were willing to share their experiences, individuals directly working with victims/survivors, and family members who lost a loved one. In 2005 Bill and Michele Mitchell, whose story is highlighted in the film, experienced an unthinkable loss when their daughter Kristin was killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Like so many of the brave voices in the film, Kristin’s relationship seemed normal in the beginning, then everything changed. This film, designed to not only help students understand the spectrum of behaviors that fall under dating violence, but also teach them how to access resources,  be active bystanders in their communities, and demonstrate healthy and positive behaviors in their own relationships.  

• Dates TBD

*There is a drawing for 2 Intelli Universal Camera Ring Lights.

Relationships should be safe and healthy but sometimes, they aren’t. How do you remain safe if the relationship is unhealthy? How do you leave safely? By safety planning, one can help avoid dangerous situations and know the best way to react when in danger. All year, awareness tables, prevention and awareness messaging and events will focus on the need to assess safety and to devise a safety plan.

One way that the Wellness Center promotes health and safety is through Safety Planning. Learn to protect yourself or those you love by implementing and promoting the use of a Safety Plan!

Help us reach students with this information!

• Safety Planning can Save Lives (PDF, )
• Safety Planning Differences (PDF, )
• 10 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship (PDF, )
• Safety Plan for College Students (PDF, )
• Healthy Relationship Quiz (PDF, )
• Am I a Good Partner Quiz (PDF, )

Videos links:

• The difference between healthy and unhealthy love new window
• How To Stop the Cycle of Negative Relationships new window

BITB Training (Bringing in the Bystander) for faculty and staff to become trainers to help educate MC students via a 90-minute presentation their professor arranges by request through the VAWA Coordinator.

• Dial 7-3333 from any campus phone or 240-567-3333 to reach a campus public safety office.

• Germantown: 240-567-7734
• Rockville: 240-567-4104 
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring: 240-567-1600

• Sarah Martin, 240-567-4279 or sarah.martin@montgomerycollege.edu

• Police: Call 911
• Rape Crisis Centers in Maryland new window
  • Services: Crisis intervention, counseling, and referral; victim accompaniment to hospitals, police interviews, and court to provide support and information about options; 24-hour Crisis Hotline with counselors trained to listen and offer information; individual, group, and family psychotherapy, assistance navigating the legal and judicial systems.
• Sheppard Pratt Emergency Shelter
  • Must be referred from county crisis line: 240-777-4000
  • Services: Montgomery County emergency shelter for survivors of domestic abuse.
• Confidential Reporting through the Montgomery County Victim Assistance Sexual Assault Program new window (VASAP): 240-777-1355, weekdays; 240-777-4357, 24-hour crisis hotline, 240-777-1347, TTY; 240-777-1329, fax; vasap@montgomerycountymd.gov. VASAP has a liaison for each MC campus. Contact a liaison at 240-777-1355.
  • Veronica Zapata Velez, LCPC Therapist (Rockville)
  • Carolina Carbajal, LCPC Therapist (Silver Spring/Takoma)
  • Gloria Bowen, LCSW-C Therapist (Germantown)
• Family Justice Center new window 240-773-0444
  Services: Safety planning, legal advocacy, immigration consultation under VAWA, counseling, criminal investigation, emergency protective orders, shelter placement
  600 Jefferson Street
  Rockville, MD 20852
  24 Hour Assistance 240-777-4000
• Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project new window
  Services: Case management, survivor empowerment groups
  Helpline: 202-833-2233 speak with an advocate Monday – Thursday, 9:00am-6:30pm and Friday 9:00am-6:00pm
  Multilingual: Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Cambodian, Cantonese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Mongolian, Pampango, Punjabi, Shanghainese, Sinhala, Tagalog, Ilokano, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese
• Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault- Sexual Assault Legal Institute new window 301-565-2277
  Services: Criminal justice advocacy, civil services for survivors
• Maryland State Coalition Against Sexual Assault new window: 301-328-7023; info@mcasa.org 
• Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse new window
  Services: Counseling, legal, victim advocacy, helpline
  Helpline: 877-885-2232
• Pro Bono Counseling Project Victims of Violence Program new window
  410-825-1001
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center new window 301-618-3154
  Services: Crisis and short-term trauma counseling, sexual assault forensic examinations, safety planning, victim advocacy
  University of Maryland Prince Georges' Hospital Center
  3001 Hospital Drive 
  Cheverly, MD 20785
• DC Rape Crisis Center new window 202-333-7273
  Services: Individual and group counseling, advocacy, crisis hotline
• Wendt Center for Loss and Healing new window 202-204-5021
  Services: Trauma and grief counseling, crisis intervention for domestic violence (Washington, DC)
• Family Health Center new window
  Services: Individual, group, anger management, Domestic Violence Offenders program
  Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC) new window  202-558-0040
• DAWN new window
  Services: provides crisis intervention services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind communities.
  • Survivor Services: Resource referral (restorative justice, medical and legal),Case Management, Wraparound services, Peer Advocacy, Counseling, Support Groups, Resiliency Education.
  • Additional services: they provide alternative services to support community-based healing and self-determination through restorative justice, non-traditional healing services, and intensive collaboration with cultural agencies and organizations.

1140 Third Street NE, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC  20002
info@deafdawn.org

DAWN Emergency Hotline (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
hotline@deafdawn.org

The Deaf Hotline new window: 24/7 Hotline
855-812-1001

Know the legal definition of rape and the statute of limitation for different sex crimes by searching the laws in your state through RAINN's State Law Database new window. It matters where you live because legal definitions may vary by jurisdiction. This is a guide to the laws relevant in your state. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. The information provided in the link about state laws covers various state laws by topic, such as: 

• consent laws  new window
• mandatory reporting for children new window and the elderly new window
• HIV/AIDS testing of offenders new window
• laws and private communications new window
• termination of rapists’ parental rights  new window
• lawfully owed DNA new window
• definitions and penalties of sex crimes new window
• criminal statutes of limitations new window

Under the leadership of then-Senator Joe Biden, Congress recognized the severity of violence against women and our need for a national strategy with the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. This landmark federal legislation’s approach to violence against women combined tough new provisions to hold offenders accountable with programs to provide services for the victims of such violence. VAWA ensured that victims and their families have access to services they need to achieve safety and rebuild their lives by:

• Establishing the National Domestic Violence Hotline new window, 800-799-7233; 1-800-787-3224 (TTY, En Español)
• Improving safety and reducing recidivism by developing coordinated community responses that allow community stakeholders to collaborate to prevent and respond to violence against women;
• Focusing on the needs of underserved communities which includes creating legal relief for immigrant victims so that abusers cannot use their immigration status to prevent the victim from reporting to law enforcement.

The VAWA Reauthorization Act was signed into law under President Barack Obama to focus renewed attention and resources on college campuses, under the Campus Sexual Violence Act (“SaVE Act”) provision, Section 304. This requires colleges and universities to document and report dating violence on campus and ensure victim’s safety by mandating schools create plans to enforce protective orders and notify the victim of their rights. VAWA requires colleges and universities to:

• Report domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking
• Adopt certain student discipline procedures, such as notifying victims of their rights, and
• Adopt certain institutional policies to address and prevent campus sexual violence.

For compliance (Clery and VAWA requirements for training and education), the College must document and report awareness and risk reduction programs.  

Education programs include: 

• Primary prevention and awareness programs for all incoming students and new employees
• Safe and positive options for bystander intervention
• Information on risk reduction to recognize warning signs of abusive behavior
• Ongoing prevention and awareness programs for students and faculty 

It is important that we track all prevention and awareness programming for students, faculty, and staff that address the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. If you, your department, organization, or groups provided any programs, meetings, or training sessions which were directed at violence prevention, please complete the Montgomery College VAWA Education Programs form new window.  

College Safety Guide new window

College can be one of the most exciting, inspiring, and transformative times in your life. To get the most out of your time in school, you'll need to feel safe at all times while you're on or near campus. Unfortunately, not all students do. Whether that's because of their sexual orientation, religious beliefs, gender, or anything else, students don't always feel secure at school. The good news is that crime at colleges and universities is on the decline.