EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. The Department of Defense advocates living a safe, secure life free from abuse. All reports of domestic abuse are taken seriously, and resources are available to help victims.
Awareness month activities inform service providers and leaders of safe and effective ways to connect victims with support. Also, they help people learn how to assist individuals who are in unhealthy relationships.
“It truly takes an entire community to create a culture change,” said Kelly Page, Integrated Prevention and Resiliency Office director. “Our team is driving that change. We want the base community to come together, raise awareness and highlight the devastating and everlasting impacts that domestic violence has on individuals and their families.”
The following October events support Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Anyone with base access can attend. For more information, call 882-9060.
- Couples' Night Out - Oct. 20, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The theme is "Let’s Build the Relationship That You Love." The Military & and Family Readiness Center will facilitate either a fun couples' workshop or a date night activity in various base locations. Discussion topics will range from relationship goals to "deal breakers," plus communication styles, the Five Love Languages, money, intimacy, and more.
- Before You Say “I Do.” - Oct. 26, noon to 4 p.m. This workshop is designed to build the foundation for a healthy, long-term marriage. Topics include expectations, roles, communication, conflict, finances, intimacy and even in-laws.
The M&FRC welcomes all eligible couples to take advantage of their Couples Care services. A variety of resources are available help couples strengthen their relationships and effectively deal with the challenges of military life. Issues addressed include: coping with stress, discussing differences, strengthening your relationship, difficult topics, keeping the spark alive, and navigating the deployment cycle. For more information, call 882-9060.
Eglin's Military Family Life Counselor program works directly with M&FRC staff and acts as a liaison with the local community to provide behavioral health support services - including one-on-one individual support - to service members and their families.
Each MFLC is available for casual, even spontaneous outreach opportunities for discussing issues experienced within the military community, and also delivers presentations on deployment stress, reintegration, couples communication, coping skills and building resiliency. For more information, call 882-9060.
The Eglin Family Advocacy Program has Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates available. For more information, call the Domestic Abuse hotline at (850) 290-7389.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers assistance to survivors of abuse, their concerned family or friends and abusive partners wanting to change. For more information, call (800) 799-7233.