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Risk Reduction

Risk Reduction is defined as actively taking steps to reduce the likelihood a specific behavior of concern will impact your personal safety. Whereas prevention strategies focus on not committing a behavior or intervening before a behavior occurs, risk reduction strategies focus on making decisions that increase personal safety and the safety of others.

Risk reduction strategies may include the psychological (trusting your instincts or learning to be assertive), the physical (walking in groups or taking self-defense classes), the observational (being alert to your surroundings or communicating your limits in a given situation), or the practical (carrying a whistle or never opening your door to strangers).

The Northeast State Police Department has identified the following safety tips concerning campus access and sexual violence risk reduction: 

  • Understand which behaviors constitute sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and consent. Most incidents occur between people who know each other.
  • Sign up for the NeSCC Alert system to receive campus-wide emergency alerts on your cell phone and via email. Registration is available on the front page of the Northeast State website, as well.
  • Program the Northeast State Police Department emergency cell number (423.677.7927) in your phone; keep your cell phone handy and make sure it is charged. Download the free Circle of 6 App to connect your personal safety circle.
  • Review the College's After Hours Building Access policy and notify the Northeast State Police Department when you arrive on campus after hours or when the College is closed. Students should obtain an After Hours Building Access Pass from the appropriate academic dean or supervisor to present to Campus Police.
  • Know the location of Campus Emergency Phones on the Blountville, Elizabethton, and Johnson City campuses. At Blountville, parking lot emergency telephones are located on the North and East sides of campus. At Elizabethton, a parking lot emergency telephone is located at the end of the sidewalk leading into the main parking lot. At Johnson City, emergency telephones are located in or near the stairwells on each floor of the building.
  • Know the location of the Safe Areas at each campus.
  • Lock your vehicle.
  • Do not post signs on your car saying where you are or when you will return.
  • Walk with a friend to your vehicle. Always use the buddy system on and off campus when at events.
  • Have your car key in your hand as you walk to your vehicle.
  • Ask Campus Police or other staff members to escort you to your vehicle after dark.
  • Check underneath and inside your vehicle before entering.
  • Walk in areas that are well traveled and lit.
  • Make it tough for someone to take you by surprise; don't wear headphones or talk/text on your phone; be alert to your surroundings.
  • Head toward an occupied building or crowds and notify the Northeast State Police Department at 423.677.7927 (emergency cell) or other security/law enforcement (call 9-1-1) if you feel you are being followed.
  • Do not leave your office unattended or unlocked.
  • Post office hours only on your office door, not your temporary location or personal notes for others.
  • Mark, photograph, or maintain a list of personal property so you can identify it if stolen.
  • Don't leave any valuables (technology, passwords, books, purses, backpacks, etc.) unattended.
  • Lock, log off, or shut down your computers when leaving the office.
  • Encourage others to Report Behaviors of Concern.
  • Trust your instincts! If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, notify the Northeast State Police Department at 423.677.7927 (emergency cell).

Visit our Cyber Safety page for tips to remain safe while using your desktop and mobile devices.

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Northeast State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. For questions or concerns, please contact the Affirmative Action Officer.