Photo By Senior Airman Donald Knechtel | Base leadership were presented with candles as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness...... read more read more
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed each October to raise community awareness and highlight Department of defense and civilian resources available to build healthy relationships, support victims and children, and promote offender accountability.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month was established to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence and honor those who have survived,” said Maj. Rabecca Stahl, the mental health flight commander assigned to the 28th MDG. “This year the theme is “Together We Are Stronger,” and we are trying to get the message down to the lowest Airmen. We liked the idea of having a visual reminder of the candle for people who have been or are victims of domestic abuse.”
According to the National Resource Center on domestic violence, the candle represents a light in the window, a personal commitment to fostering respectful relationships, a unified stance that domestic violence is not acceptable, and hope that together we are “Lighting the Way.”
“Our goal is to inform the base on domestic violence by putting the candle on the desk of base leadership,” said Kimberly Kohler, a family advocacy outreach manager with the 28th MDG. “It can either spark a conversation of a possible victim or just spread awareness throughout everyone at Ellsworth.”
Kohler stressed awareness of the issue is important, as domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse; it encompasses numerous tactics that may include emotional manipulation, financial abuse, sexual assault and threatening to harm children, other loved ones or the family pet.
In addition to the candles, the Family Readiness Office will also spread awareness with various events throughout October.
“We have a few things going on this month,” Kohler said. “There will be a Working Against Violence Incorporated supply drive, in which we will collect some supplies, such as personal grooming, cleaning, baby, or general supplies, they will need to continue their mission. Every Thursday there will also be a domestic violence awareness information table at the Base Exchange open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.”
Stahl also mentioned that from Oct. 11 to 14, members from the Family Readiness Office will be at the gates handing out information – “painting Ellsworth purple.” The significance being that the color purple is a traditional symbol of domestic violence awareness, prevention and remembrance.
In addition, an art contest open to all children, teens and adults, will be celebrated at the 28th MDG where all artwork will be on display Oct. 17 to 21.
There will also be a book-of-the-month club event focusing on the five love languages, Oct. 28, at the Holbrook library.
“This is not just the Med Group who witnesses and deals with domestic violence,” Stahl explained. “Commanders, first shirts, and the SARC are involved; it’s a Bomb Wing initiative. This month is a reminder for people who have been or are victims of domestic abuse that people take the cause seriously and are willing to listen and to help. It’s a problem that everyone sees and has to deal with, a community problem.”
For more information on events being held this month, contact the Family Readiness Office at (605) 385-3656.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2016 10:28 |
| Story ID: | 213753 |
| Location: | SOUTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Purple Lights the way for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, by SrA Donald Knechtel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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