JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Each October, military communities join together to raise awareness about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Domestic violence or intimate partner violence happens behind closed doors,” said Suzette O’Donnell, Family Advocacy outreach manager. “Domestic violence is destructive to the individual, the couple and the family as a whole, and runs counter to the values of military service.”
The Family Advocacy Program emphasizes domestic violence is not only about women, but it can also happen to men and children.
Statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence show in the United States alone, an average of 20 people are physically abused by their partner every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. Children of domestic violence are three times more likely to repeat the cycle in adulthood.
“We often say we live in a society in which we are more likely to call the police if your music is too loud than if [we] hear you and your partner abusing one another,” O’Donnell added. “We need to change this mentality. We need to make this conversation public, so we can all engage in a conversation with one another if needed.”
To raise awareness about domestic violence, the Family Advocacy Program has scheduled weekly events and activities that promote safe and healthy relationships.
Parenting With Love and Logic is every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for parents with children age 2 to 12. Family Advocacy will also host their fourth annual clothing swap Oct. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Any remaining clothing will be donated to the local domestic violence community shelter. Other events scheduled can also be found on the JBER website [www.jber.jb.mil] under community action council, resiliency resources, or their Facebook page [673 JBER Family Advocacy Program].
Family Advocacy Outreach Manager Gwen Nieberlein encourages everyone to reach out to individuals if they present signs of abuse such visible bruises or injuries, frequent absences from work, personality changes, or low self-esteem.
“When they present these signs, it’s ok to ask how they are doing,” Nieberlein said. “Sometimes [abuse victims] need that conversation so they can be pointed in the right direction and [find] resources.”
To report domestic abuse, people should contact the police, or the FAP directly at 580-5858 for all incidents of suspected child maltreatment or family violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the Family Advocacy Domestic Abuse Victim hotline; advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 519-9993.