October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and USAG Baumholder’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) has planned several activities to raise awareness and gain community support in the fight against domestic violence.

"Purple Hands and Words" is an initiative implemented to educate our community about the right to live a violence-free life and to remind us that hands and words are not for hurting. Members of the community make the pledge "I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others." The pledge is symbolized by tracing your hand on purple paper and it serves to remind you of the promise you have made. The Baumholder community will be offering the opportunity to participate in the pledge this month. Join the Family Advocacy Program at the PX on Oct. 18 from 1-4 p.m. and at the Community Mail Room Oct. 22 from 1-4 p.m. to make your pledge. Children get to trace their hands on purple paper and will be encouraged to take the pledge home and look at it every day. Parents, Soldiers and community members can put their handprints on a poster board that will be displayed throughout the community. Awareness information, Army Community Service calendars, a jelly bean contest, and treats will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Our overarching goal this month is to promote action in the community when you know someone is in a domestic violence situation. Domestic violence is a crime. It is important to know that when you are aware of a crime and you choose to do nothing, you are making the conscious choice not to act. In order to follow this year’s theme of "Prepare Prevent Protect" we, as a community, need to do the following: Prepare for the challenges that often occur in intimate relationships.

This is especially significant as we look ahead to the upcoming deployment and the stressors that accompany pre-deployment preparation. Prevent domestic abuse from occurring initially, and develop skills to help restore stability and health by accessing resources within the USAG Baumholder Community. These resources include Army Community Services, Military Family Life Consultants, Chaplains and the Family Advocacy Program. Finally, Protect victims when abuse occurs. As a community we need to work as a team and reach out to those affected by domestic violence. By coming together as an aware and proactive community we will reiterate and put into practice the message that abuse will not be tolerated at USAG Baumholder.

Don’t know what to do? Let the Family Advocacy Program provide you with additional information and resources. The Family Advocacy Program has several services to assist individuals who are in, or think they may be in, a domestic violence situation. The Victim Advocacy Program offers safety planning, access to services, and information on a confidential basis. Several workshops will be available for the month of October.

Family Advocacy will be offering a class entitled "Enough- Abuse is not a Family value." This class will focus on what individuals can do when they find themselves witnessing or having knowledge of abuse occurring in our Community. The class will be held at ACS Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon. An Aikido instructor will be providing a free demonstration at the Mountaineer Gym on Oct. 19 from 6:15-7:15 p.m. for all members of the community, in an effort to empower and inspire confidence through self-defense techniques. "Grow a Set of Your Own" is a class that will focus on approaching everyday problems and stressors of life with optimism and problem solving skills to increase resiliency. This will be available to family members and will be held at ACS on Oct. 7 from 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. To enhance marital communication, "Say it Right" is a couples communication class with a focus on ways to speak to one another, listening, and conflict resolution. This will be held at ACS on Oct.14 from 5:15-6:15 p.m.

Throughout the month of October, we will be at either the PX or the CMR each week with awareness material and educational items. We encourage everyone in the community to come out and see what services we have available while we raise awareness, provide support, and celebrate the survivors of domestic violence.