By Rita Amoroso, Contributing Writer
According to G&R independent research, eight in ten Americans worry about violence. Every year on Sept 26, situational awareness is promoted through different platforms. During this year’s national situational awareness day, safety tips are shared in order to raise awareness of security and well-being. To learn more about personal safety, numerous resources are available at the end of this article.
National situational awareness day is a great reminder to stay safe. On campus and off campus, situational awareness is essential. Situational awareness is the active observation of your environment.
On campus, there are numerous resources to practice safety. In Saint Leo University’s community, safety is a priority. Whether it is physical safety or mental health, Saint Leo is dedicated to making students feel safe. When it comes to physical safety, campus safety is available to help students, staff, and visitors. When it comes to mental health awareness, the health center offers counseling services to all students.
Outside of campus, it is also essential to be safe. Various resources are available in every county. For instance, the Sunrise of Pasco County project is always within easy reach. The Domestic and Sexual Violence Center offers free services to victims. Amongst those services, community members can find free individual counseling as well as advocacy services. These support services are here for all. They are safe-zones and judge-free for people of all origins, religions, and cultural backgrounds.
On a day-to-day basis, there are a few things to remember to practice good situational awareness. Observe your surroundings, trust your gut instincts, and educate yourself on the basics of personal safety.
Unfortunately, on and off campus, domestic violence is still present and can happen anywhere. Domestic violence is aggressive and hurtful behavior. This involves the abuse of any person whether it is a partner or a roommate. Domestic violence can take different shapes and forms. It is essential to remain alert in order to identify a victim that needs help.
What happens when you identify a dangerous situation? First of all, assess the situation. Then, structure a strategy to remain safe yourself. When that is done, identify exits and memorize them. After, try to interact with a victim if it is safe for you to do so. If the situation is too dangerous for you to be involved, do not put yourself in danger. If you are in this situation on campus, it is safe to call campus safety to help you. In parallel to that, it is crucial to know when to not participate. Here is an easy rule of thumb, if it is putting your life or someone else at risk, refrain from interfering. In case of doubt, call your local police department or call 911. Situational awareness is all about little actions that we can all do.
As a matter of fact, Saint Leo’s green dot program actively participates in making the campus a safe place to live in. The green dot initiative works on preventing violence in our community.
This program addresses the different types of violence present on colleges’ campuses. The main objective is to build a supportive community. Through education, domestic violence and danger can be reduced.
To put it in a few words, situational awareness is essential to a healthy life. Whether it is on campus or off campus, resources are available to help and learn. Below are useful contacts: campus safety (352-588-8432), Dade City Police Department (352-521-1495), the Sunrise of Pasco County Project (352-567-1681)
In light of national situational awareness, the best advice for students is to be observant and use critical thinking. Caring for your community is acting to better it. Situational awareness is crucial to a healthy experience of college life. Overall, it is important to take these notions into the rest of your life. From personal safety to local resources, national situational awareness is a great way to learn about security and community well-being.
