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DOD, joint base leaders proclaim Domestic Violence Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Steve Snyder
  • Joint Base Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  Joint Base Family Advocacy Outreach Manager Melodye Giovanni said she was impressed with the proclamation issued by the Department of Defense and endorsed by JB MDL's top leaders at a symposium on domestic abuse held Oct. 6 at the McGuire Community Center.

Ms. Giovanni said the proposal represented a proactive commitment to give more than lip service to protecting military communities from a domestic ill that statistics indicate threatens to become widespread.

Domestic or spousal abuse is defined as when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to unduly dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse involving physical violence is called domestic violence.

Abuse, violent or not, can destroy marriages and harm families.

The proclamation listed positive actions for combating domestic abuse; among them are: recognizing the signs of domestic abuse, acknowledging that interpersonal violence is always wrong, referring victims to places where help is available, leading from the front, reaching out for help, reaching out to help, taking advantage of many family services and programs currently being offered, reaching out to support victims, holding offenders accountable, and doing everything you can to create a climate of safety and respect.

"We see things we don't want to get involved in," Ms. Giovanni notes, but adds that there are no innocent bystanders. It's sort of like the old 1960s maxim which stated if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem.

Visible injuries, isolation, quiet withdrawals, depression and substance abuse can all be warning signs that domestic violence is rearing its ugly head. Solutions involve talking, if possible, to the people involved or contacting the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Family Advocacy Program at the medical clinic on 3458 Neely Road or by calling (609) 754-9680.

Ms. Giovanni emphasizes that her office tries to prevent domestic abuse by offering many programs designed to help keep families happy and healthy before any trouble arises. Once a problem is identified, counseling and other services are tapped.

In any event, domestic abuse will not disappear on its own volition. That's why dedicated, seasoned professionals from Family Advocacy stand by, ready to tackle a problem that can wreck homes.