JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON –
Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The intent was to connect advocates for battered women across the nation working to end violence against women and their children.
The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.
The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the first Hotline for Domestic Violence was established in October 1987.
In 1989, Congress passed the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1.3 million people are victims of physical assault each year.
Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in virtually all countries, cultures, classes and income groups. It is a complex and multifaceted problem with individual solutions that are appropriate for different women in different socio-cultural contexts.
Domestic violence destroys families and has a vast impact on mission readiness. We all have a responsibility to help prevent domestic violence.
"Bruised, But Not Broken" is this year's theme for Family Advocacy Program efforts throughout Joint Base San Antonio, with all JBSA locations putting on awareness events throughout October.
This national awareness campaign is a community effort, and for JBSA, it is a time to work together to educate and support military service members and their families with the common goal of eliminating domestic abuse.
Throughout October, the Family Advocacy Programs at JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Randolph will feature a clothesline display, shelter drive, information booths, and a guest speaker at JBSA-Lackland.
The clothesline display showcases T-shirts honoring victims of domestic abuse and will be shown at various areas around the three installations.
The shelter drive, which began Oct. 1, is collecting donations of household goods and clothing for Family Violence Prevention Services Inc., a local San Antonio shelter. Collection boxes will be at several locations around JBSA-Randolph and JBSA-Lackland for final pickup and delivery to the shelter Oct. 22.
The Purple Ribbon Blitz event will be held at all post and base exchanges Oct. 15. Volunteers will hand out purple ribbons and awareness information.
Jose Juan Lara, Jr, Director of Advocacy and Training for the Texas Advocacy Project will present a lecture titled "When the Intersections of Cultural Identity and Victimology Collide: Looking Beyond the Mainstream" at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23. Free continuing education units may be available for some professions.
For more information, call the Family Advocacy Program for JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 292-5967 or for JBSA-Randolph at 652-2448.
Additional information is available at
http://www.ncadv.org or http://www.facebook.com/pages/October-Is-National-Domestic-Violence-Awareness-Month.