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Early Intervention is Essential
Preventing violence and supporting the safety and well-being of the campus community are responsibilities of all members of the Victor Valley College community. Campus safety is enhanced through community members identifying behaviors of concern and reporting the concerns in a caring and timely manner. Early identification of such concerns allows Victor Valley College to intervene more effectively to address behaviors that are threatening or significantly disruptive to the learning, living and working environment of Victor Valley College.
The Threat Assessment Team
Victor Valley College policy requires the institution to have a Crisis Assessment Committee to identify, assess, and intervene with individuals whose behavior poses a threat to the safety of the campus community.
The Victor Valley College Crisis Assessment Committee is staffed by representatives from key college departments, with leadership from the Victor Valley College Campus Police Department. The mission of the multidisciplinary Crisis Assessment Committee is to determine if an individual poses a threat to self, others, or the Victor Valley College community and to avert the threat and maintain the safety of the situation. The team responds to behaviors exhibited by students, employees, visitors, and non-affiliated persons in an attempt to prevent violence so that the Victor Valley College campus remains a safe and secure working and learning environment.
Identifying Concerning Behavior
There are many behaviors that may cause concern for the safety and well-being of an individual, or the campus as a whole. The following is not an exhausted list but provides examples of concerning behaviors or situations:
Unusual or abrupt changes in behaviors or patternsExtreme reaction to a loss or traumatic eventPreoccupation with weapons, violent events or persons who have engaged in violent acts
- Uncharacteristically poor performance
- References to harming others or planning a violent or destructive event
- Evidence of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts/plans
- Inappropriate responses such as prolonged irritability, angry outbursts, or intense reactions
- Strained interpersonal relations, isolating behaviors, or low self-esteem
Again, these are just examples of behaviors that may cause concern. If you observe or become aware of situations that cause concern for safety, consult with colleagues, supervisors, or college officials and report your concerns.
Reporting Concerns: "It may be nothing, but..."
If you have concerns about a person or situation, even if you think it may be nothing, you are encouraged to share the information. The information you provide, no matter how trivial it may seem by itself, may be critical to understanding a broader range of problematic or threatening behavior.
How to share your concern
If you are aware of emergency or immediate safety concerns, call 911 and report the danger to law enforcement.
If you are concerned about threatening behavior or a disturbing situation, that is NOT an emergency event, contact the Victor Valley College Campus Police Department at 760.245.4271 ext. 2329. Victor Valley College Police Department is committed to preventing violence and other crimes when possible.
What you need to share
When providing information, please include the name of the person you are concerned about, the behaviors you observed, and your name. While the Crisis Assessment Committee does accept anonymous reports, if you don't identify yourself, the committee has fewer options for addressing the situation you are concerned about.
What will happen to the information you share
Your identity and the information you share will be treated privately with your safety in mind. The information will be used to address the situation in a respectful and helpful manner. The Victor Valley College Crisis Assessment Committee will gather more information about the situation and implement a plan to enhance the safety of the campus community.
On-campus resources for violence prevention:
- Campus Police Department: 760.245.4271 ext. 2329
- Dean of Student Services including ACCESS: 760.245.4271 ext. 2154
- Director of Nursing: 760.245.4271 ext. 2412
- PIO (Public Information Officer): 760.245.4271 ext. 2225
- Discipline Officer: 760.245.4271 ext. 2383
- HASS-Division Faculty: 760.245.4271 ext. 2554
- STEM-Division Faculty: 760.245.4271 ext. 2530
- HSPSIT-Division Faculty: 760.245.4271 ext. 2412
- Student Services Division Faculty:760.245.4271 ext. 2154
- Vice President of HR: 760.245.4271 ext. 2386
- Auxiliary Services Director/Student Advisory: 760.245.4271 ext. 2395
- Student Representative: 760.245.4271 ext. 2331
- Counseling Department: 760.245.4271 ext. 2296 or 2531
A special thanks to Virginia Tech's Threat Assessment Team Coordinator, Chassidy Tueel, for sharing her team guidelines with Victor Valley College.