Love Shouldn’t Hurt

Volunteers use makeup to emulate a black eye as part of a Family Advocacy Program initiative called “The Black Eye Project” on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Oct. 9, 2019. The volunteers went about their normal routines around base with a fake black eye as an experiment to see who would inquire about the individuals’ wellbeing and who avoided it. The goal is to help the community learn how to speak out and recognize symptoms of domestic violence which is severely under-reported, according to Family Advocacy. Within five hours, 50 people approached the volunteers— five were outside of their workplace. While many asked with concern, some initially approached with inappropriate jokes or comments. Two volunteers entered the installation through three separate gates and were not questioned. “We hope to use this as a learning experience for people to start a conversation,” said Christina Hernandez, 87th Family Advocacy Program domestic abuse victim advocate. “Be aware, ask the question even if it’s uncomfortable. Family violence thrives in silence and isolation and it’s the job of all of us to shine a light and show survivors that they are not alone.” (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Ariel Owings)