Selected buildings at Joint Base San Antonio locations will glow with purple light as the installation launches Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Oct. 1.
A couples’ workshop Oct. 7 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and a 5K Run/Walk Oct. 21, also at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, will highlight the month’s activities. In addition, JBSA Family Advocacy Program representatives will be on hand for National Night Out Oct. 3 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph.
“The purpose of the month is to bring awareness to domestic violence,” said Angela Nance, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy Program intervention specialist. “It’s a topic that a lot of people don’t want to talk about, but it is happening. We want to be able to provide people with prevention strategies and let them know what resources are available. If domestic violence is happening in a relationship, we want to provide treatment.”
Eight buildings will be illuminated in purple, the color of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month: the water tower and Military Entrance Processing Station at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston; the 59th Medical Wing, two dental clinics, the 37th Training Group and the 37th Training Wing at JBSA-Lackland; and the Taj Mahal at JBSA-Randolph.
National Night Out will give FAP representatives, including Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates, an opportunity to provide community members with information about domestic violence and resources that are available, Nance said.
DAVAs will lead an art project, “I Can, We Can,” that will allow National Night Out attendees to decorate a cutout of a hand and write messages of hope and support for domestic violence victims. The project was created by A Window Between Worlds, a nonprofit organization that uses transformative art to empower individuals and communities impacted by domestic violence.
The couples’ workshop, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 7 at the FAP office, building 198 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, will offer advice on strengthening relationships. Registration is required by calling 221-1996.
The Domestic Violence Awareness 5K Run/Walk will begin with registration at 7 a.m. Oct. 21 and the race at 8 a.m. at 2080 Wilson Way, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
“We ask that participants wear a purple T-shirt to show awareness of domestic violence,” Nance said. “We will collect items for women’s and children’s shelters in the community.”
Items requested include white towels, white twin-size sheets, new baby clothes, new socks and new underwear for women and children of all sizes.
For more information, call 808-6469 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 292-5967 at JBSA-Lackland and 652-6308 at JBSA-Randolph.
Commanders representing the five armed services at JBSA underscored the importance of domestic violence awareness and prevention when their proclamation for the month stated their commitment to “instilling a military culture that stands against any and all acts of domestic violence, emphasizing a community built on respect, collaboration and unity.”
In addition, JBSA’s theme for the month, “Some Secrets are Not Meant to be Kept – Tell Someone,” emphasizes the importance of reaching out when domestic violence is occurring, whether it’s the victim or someone who suspects abuse, which can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual in nature.
In the military, domestic violence prevention is crucial because of abuse’s impact on families and the mission, said James Price, 59th Medical Operations Squadron FAP outreach manager.
“When there is a domestic violence incident, not only does it directly impact the family, but it could hinder military readiness,” he said. “The mission could be hampered because the member’s concentration is not solely focused on his or her deployment, securing government assets, protecting our informational system program or performing critical operations. It will be split between the required duties and his family, which typically leads to unsatisfactory results.”