October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

by Airman 1st Class Kyle Johnson
JBER PA

10/15/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

To raise awareness of the threats domestic violence can have to families and the military's mission as a whole, the Family Advocacy Program is hosting and participating in a series of events throughout the remainder of October.

"We have two big events this month; the first one is 'Swap, Swap, 'til You Drop'," said Sarah Blanning, a family advocacy outreach manager for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. "It is a recipe and clothing swap, the price of admission is a travel-sized toiletry for donation to Alaska family services which is the domestic violence shelter in Palmer."

The clothing swap event is at the Dallas community center on the Elmendorf side of base and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and finish by 8:30 p.m.

"Next Thursday evening, we have our declaration of intention which is essentially a vow renewal," Blanning said. "But it is open to anybody in a committed relationship, you don't need to be married, it's an opportunity to come together and reaffirm your commitment to have a healthy, respectful and violence-free relationship."

The Arctic Warrior Events Center is scheduled to host the event Oct. 22 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

"There will be a chaplain to perform a blessing and it'll be everyone coming together and saying we affirm we want to have respectful relationships and we don't want violence to be any part of it."

Additionally, at various locations on base, family advocacy is setting up interactive display tables to raise awareness of resources available to military members.

"We call them interactive display tables; yes they have information and resources for people, but they are meant to be interactive - to engage in discussion and play some games to make sure people are getting information and getting any questions answered that they may have."

The next interactive display is scheduled for Oct.16 at the Wilderness Inn from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

For other domestic violence awareness events taking place this October., contact the Family Advocacy Program at 580-5858.