Family Advocacy educates Domestic Violence Prevention through October Published Oct. 15, 2014 By Senior Airman Joshua Eikren 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Photojournalist SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE Ill. -- Domestic violence is a national problem that affects more than 4 million people a year, with almost 17,000 of them murdered by an intimate partner and an estimated 2,000 children dying at the hands of a caregiver. Scott Air Force Base along with the rest of the Department of Defense is observing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by educating the military community about resources and programs to help in preventing or stopping domestic violence. "Each year, Domestic Violence Prevention Month brings an awareness of the need to prevent all forms of domestic abuse," said William White, 375th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy Outreach Manager. "Domestic violence prevention campaigns alerts members of the military community to the risk factors and potential dangers of domestic violence, while providing renewed awareness and updated education." The FBI reports that people are more likely to be assaulted in their own homes by someone they know and trust than on the street by a stranger. Typically, the injuries are more devastating. But domestic violence isn't always physical, officials emphasized. It can be more subtle: emotional, psychological or economic. Regardless of its form, it hurts individuals, ruins families and weakens communities. In a recent DoD article Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates acknowledged, the military faces the same challenges as society at large, particularly in light of the high operational tempo and the strain it puts on servicemembers as well as their families. "As a result of the multiple deployments and hardships associated with Afghanistan and Iraq, large swaths of the military - especially our ground combat forces and their families - are under extraordinary stress," Gates said. Family Advocacy and the 375th Medical Group are stepping up their game by sharing information and hosting events through October, which include display tables and Silent Witness figures in the hospital, Scott Credit Union and Family Housing Office; the "In Her Shoes" scenario Oct. 17 in the Deltgen Auditorium; and a lunch and learn "Creating Allies" at the Chapel Oct. 23 to help bring awareness of the need to prevent all forms of domestic abuse. White said, "It invites all Airmen and their families to refresh their relationship skills, and learn improved ways to successfully resolve the inevitable conflicts that occur in intimate relationships. Resilient families are the foundation for Air Force Mission readiness." For more information on Domestic Violence Prevention Month or the events, call 256-7203.