October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dan Gage
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  Last year, President Barack Obama named October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This year, Air Force Global Strike Command members will show respect for the worth and dignity of every Airman and family member observing Domestic Violence Awareness here at Warren and in the Cheyenne community.

The Victim Witness Assistance Program, Sexual Assault Prevention Response Office and Family Advocacy Program are teaming up to help Airmen and the families become better prepared to deal with domestic violence.

This year, two marches will be held to raise awareness for victims.

On Tuesday, "Can You Walk in Her Shoes" will be held in Cheyenne. Last year, the march saw more than 50 active duty members from Warren participate.

Warren members were one of the biggest groups to participate last year, said Kathy McCoole, 90th Missile Wing sexual assault response coordinator.

The "Walk the Path of a Victim" march will be held on Oct. 19. This march will start at the base medical center and will end at the court room in the legal building at Warren.

Classes will be held throughout the month as well, self defense classes will be held at the Fall Hall Community Center on Oct. 16.

A martial arts instructor will teach two classes; one for females from 2 to 5 p.m., and for the first time, a class for males will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.

"The class is not how to fight off the offender, it's how to escape," said Mrs. McCoole.
It's not only females reporting," said Glenn Garcia, the family advocacy outreach manager. "The numbers are showing that men actually report 40 percent of domestic violence."

"With all these issues, whether it's domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse, the most critical component is the reaction and response to the situation from the bystander," said Mr. Garcia.

To help raise awareness of the importance of bystanders stepping in, there are programs scheduled throughout October that focus on raising awareness of those in the community who could be witness to abuse around them.

The Bystander Intervention Program, an Air Force wide initiative, will begin holding 90 minute classes for 20 to 25 individuals at a time.

The classes will be held twice a week until all active duty and civilian supervisors of active duty have attended.

Going hand in hand with the Bystander Intervention Program, a "Black Eye Campaign" will be held through October. Warren members will spend the day with black eyes, and then report the reaction they got from the community.

Members who participated Oct. 1 reported approximately 50 percent of those they encountered asked what had happened.

"Some people will immediately ask 'what happened, are you ok?' while others won't even make eye contact," said Mr. Garcia.

"It's not always up to the individual to say 'I'm strong and I'm leaving,'" said Bonnie Scotto, 90th Missile Wing victim and witness coordinator. "It's up to all of us to say this is unacceptable and we need to do something."

"If anybody is dealing with domestic violence, there are a lot of great resources," said Mr. Garcia.

Both on the base and in the community as well Ms. Scotto added.

There are also resources available in the Cheyenne community for victims of domestic abuse. The Safehouse is a shelter for women and children that can accommodate up to 30 people.

The shelter office is located on 17th and Carey Ave. and will also work to help male victims.