In support of all the men, women and children whose lives are affected by domestic violence, the month of October was selected as Domestic Violence Awareness (DVA) month. DVA month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October of 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent of the month-long remembrance was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. In October 1987, the first DVA month was observed.

Since DVA month was established, military communities across the globe have set up programs to help families in crisis deal with domestic violence. In the Kitsap County area, the Counseling Advocacy and Prevention Services staff at Naval Undersea Warfare Center-Keyport in Washington, has taken a proactive stance on domestic violence by spreading the domestic violence awareness message to the local commands every chance they get.

“We bring attention to the issue so people can become informed and help eradicate the problem,” said Sharlyne Hays, victim advocate for CAPS. “We hold General Military Training (GMT), education opportunities, leadership training and brochures. We’re focused on spreading awareness so victim’s and perpetrator’s have the information they need to get help,” added Hays.

According to the Understanding is the First Step: a resource guide for living without domestic violence, “domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by an individual to establish and maintain control over an intimate partner and/or children. It may consist of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse. Abusive behavior often becomes more frequent and severe.”

The Resource Guide for Domestic Violence Victims states that common indicators of domestic violence are emotional/physical abuse, isolation, coercion and threats, intimidation, economic abuse, sexual abuse, using children as a guilt trip, making light of the abuse and using male privilege as ways of dominating their significant other.

According to Hays, its extremely beneficial to have CAPS in place for the local military because it lets them know that they have a place they can turn to for help.

“A lot of people keep their mouth closed because they think domestic violence is a behind the door, closed curtain issue and just a family issue and that we shouldn’t be involved, but that’s not reality because domestic violence impacts every aspect of our lives.”

The CAPS program gives active duty and their dependents the opportunity to receive treatment free, whereas in the civilian community they’d have to pay $1,500 to $2,000 for a yearlong treatment program.

Domestic Abuse affects people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation and social status, and “it happens to dating teens, newlyweds, and long established married couples,” according to the Resource Guide of Domestic Violence Victims.

Domestic violence awareness is extremely important because “the more educated the Sailors are, the better they’ll be able to deal with the situation if they have a coworker, friend or family member who becomes involved in a domestic violence situation,” said Hays.

Hays went on to say that if people don’t seek help, the cycle will never be broken.

“Without help it’s just going to continue and then the children, later on in life, will become victim’s and perpetrators because they saw that type of behavior growing up. We need to put a stop to domestic violence, so the adults of the future can leave violence free.”

For more information about domestic violence awareness information, contact CAPS at 1-866-854-0638.