Active duty Soldier volunteers and representatives from the Family Advocacy Program gathered on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Sept. 28 for the "Purple Everywhere" campaign, affixing purple ribbons to lampposts on base to raise attention and engagement for Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in October.
Sara McCauley, JBM-HH Victim Advocate coordinator, said this is the first year the Family Advocacy Program decorated lampposts. In previous years, purple bows were tied around trees on the installation, and while that initiative was popular, McCauley said the lamppost decorating was an excellent way to get Soldiers involved.
The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness and get people talking about domestic violence and prevention, McCauley said.
"We wanted an initiative that triggered conversation and increased visibility of our Victim Advocacy program," she wrote in an email after the event."There are victims out there who need to know about our services. Dealing with the daily threat of domestic violence, be it physical or emotional, can be a helpless feeling. The more we raise awareness about this issue and about the advocacy services we provide, the more we hope to draw those who are suffering out of isolation and connect them with support."
About 40 lampposts were decorated on Jackson Avenue, Marshall Drive, Lee Avenue and Sheridan Avenue, said McCauley, adding that those particular streets were chosen for their visibility.
Roughly 20 volunteers assisted throughout the day, climbing up ladders and tying the ribbons to the lampposts.
McCauley emphasized how grateful she and her organization were to the Soldier volunteers.
"This would not be possible without them and they've taken time out of their schedules to support us," she said. "They've had excellent attitudes."
She added that the initiative created community and Soldier involvement that could spread the word about domestic violence and victim advocacy.
"We're able to get the community involved and spread awareness that way," she said of the Soldier volunteers. "They're the ones in the units who interact with their fellow Soldiers so they're the ones who can really spread our resources."
In her email, McCauley also added that community members will see purple wreaths around the base during the month October "as a way to trigger a dialogue about domestic violence and inspire community members to get involved in prevention efforts."
To report domestic violence, call the hotline at 703-919-1611.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month takes place throughout October. For a schedule of events on JBM-HH, see page 7 of the Oct. 8 Pentagram.
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