ACC raises awareness of domestic violence

  • Published
  • By Josh Aycock
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  The Air Force family is as vulnerable to domestic violence as any other family (last fiscal year, there were 73 domestic violence incidents reported here). But this month, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, people throughout Air Combat Command are doing their part to raise awareness of the problem.

Denise Williams, a member of the communications directorate here, is one of those people. She survived a violent relationship that lasted nearly five years. Her experience taught her the value of a strong support system and the importance of supporting others.

"That's what I want people to know -- you can survive it, and you can do well," she said. "You might not be able to see it at the time because you are in the middle of something really horrible, but there is hope."

Mrs. Williams now uses her experience to help others and volunteers as a hot-line worker for the Transitions Family Violence Service. The service is a nonprofit, comprehensive family violence service that provides counseling and legal advocacy, employment and housing assistance, children's programs, special programs for military families and a wide variety of other services in Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson.

"There are no special skills needed," said Mrs. Williams. "Everyone who volunteers brings something unique."

On base, Family Advocacy also does its part to maintain healthy relationships and spread awareness. The Family Advocacy Program helps both married and unmarried couples strengthen their relationships.

Family Advocacy programs are mostly communication-oriented because a lot of domestic violence cases escalate from an inability for couples to communicate, said Maj. Melissa Gould, behavioral health flight commander and acting Family Advocacy officer.

In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness month, the Family Advocacy Program is partnering with the Airmen and Family Readiness Center to educate couples on effective communication. The program, "How to Avoid Dating/Marrying a Jerk," takes place Oct. 31, at the 1st Mission Support Group, Building 15. The program helps identify warning signs to unhealthy relationships and improves overall relationship satisfaction.

Although domestic-violence awareness month is limited to October, the Department of Defense works year round to raise awareness and provide support to service members.

The Department of Defense in partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline launched a campaign in February 2006 to promote awareness to service men, women and their families.

"Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence" is designed as an intervention message to educate service men and women and their families about domestic violence and provide a vital link to life-saving services by connecting people to the hot line. People can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE.

For information and a schedule of events provided by the Transitions Family Violence Service visit their Web site at: http://www.transitionsfvs.org, or call (757) 723-7774.

The Family Advocacy Program can be reached at (757) 764-2427.