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Domestic Violence: Awareness key to prevention

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Leaders from McGuire, Fort Dix and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst joined today to celebrate Domestic Violence Awareness Month in a joint-base proclamation signing.

Throughout the month of November, agencies from each of the services will host various events and classes to help raise awareness of domestic violence and its various causes.

"If we talk about it as a community, we realize we can do it together," said Melodye Giovanni, 305th Air Mobility Wing Family Advocacy Program Manager. "Particularly in a joint base environment, there are so many resources between the three bases that people can get the help they need."

Ms. Giovanni emphasized that the key to overcoming domestic violence is to address the issues that can cause stress and possibly lead to violence in the home.

"We don't want to wait until people have a problem," she said. "We want to give them the skills they need to face predictable life problems.

Ms. Giovanni explained that the skills people need are anger management skills, problem solving skills and communication skills. She added that all the programs offered throughout the month - and throughout the year - target these skills and are designed to teach servicemembers and their family members how to deal with particular situations.

"If you have those skills, then you'll be able to not only deal with the problem but also know where to go to get help," she said. "It's really important to know where to go for help and who can help you, and to trust that the help is there."

"This month should really be a celebration that we now have the ability for folks to come in to military community services such as Family Advocacy and Mental Health," Col. Scott Smith, 305th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, said during the ceremony. "It's just not something you have to put a cloak over your head and sneak in to go to. They're available and encouraged."

In addition to Family Advocacy, Ms. Giovanni said there are many other services on each of the bases that are available to all servicemembers, such as chaplains, the Airman & Family Readiness Center at McGuire, Army Community Service at Fort Dix, the Navy Fleet & Family Support Center at Lakehurst, and even online at www.MilitaryOneSource.com.

The commanders also emphasized that domestic violence prevention is also a leader's responsibility.

"We have a lot of young families out there - young people who may not have had models of healthy relationships or how to handle stress and conflict inside of a marriage," said Navy Capt. Phillip Beachy, Lakehurst commanding officer. "It's our job to teach them that, to engage early, to know what's going on in the community and in their lives so we can prevent a bigger problem.

"Whether you're wearing an eagle, an oak leaf or stripes, you're a leader," said Col. Ronald Thaxton, Fort Dix installation commander. "Look into the lives of your subordinates and ensure they're living their lives right." 

For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month events or ongoing base programs and services, contact McGuire Family Advocacy at (609) 754-9677, Fort Dix Family Advocacy at (609) 562-5200, or Lakehurst Fleet & Family Support Center at (732) 323-1963.