Tri-Border community takes a stand against domestic violence, abuse

By Rita Hoefnagels, USAG Benelux Public AffairsOctober 20, 2017

The youngest participants at the Hope 5K Walk/Run
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Tri-Border Community, including the youngest participants, showed support for Domestic Violence Awareness Month by coming out for the annual Hope 5K Walk/Run Oct. 12, 2017, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Participants wore purple to raise awareness... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Hope 5K Walk/Run at Schinnen
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Tri-Border Community showed support for Domestic Violence Awareness Month by coming out for the annual Hope 5K Walk/Run Oct. 12, 2017, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Participants wore purple to raise awareness about domestic violence and to say th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Hope 5K Walk/Run at Schinnen
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Tri-Border Community showed support for Domestic Violence Awareness Month by coming out for the annual Hope 5K Walk/Run Oct. 12, 2017, in Schinnen, The Netherlands. Participants wore purple to raise awareness about domestic violence and to say th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHINNEN, The Netherlands -- October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, or DVAM, and the Army is joining the nation in taking a stand against domestic violence and educating the community about the warning signs of relationship abuse.

The Tri-Border community showed their support for DVAM by hosting two events in Schinnen. On Oct. 6, more than 80 people attended the Strike Out Domestic Violence event at the Schinnen Bowling Center. On Oct. 12, the community gathered outside the Schinnen Fitness Center to raise awareness as they walked or ran in the Hope 5K event.

Attendees wore purple -- the color for domestic violence awareness -- to both events to show that they were taking a stand against domestic violence and abuse.

According to current statistics, nearly one in four women and one in seven men are affected by severe physical violence with an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. Those figures do not include emotional or economic abuse.

Throughout October, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux leaders and staff members are focused on bringing awareness to the community that healthy relationships are attainable, and that it is everyone's responsibility to speak up against abuse when they see or hear about it.

Army Community Service's Family Advocacy Program in Europe provides programs and services year-round which increase self-sufficiency, resiliency and community cohesion for active-duty service members, families, civilians and retirees. The Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate is available 24/7 to support victims and assist them with reporting options.

Domestic violence is never okay. If you or someone you know needs help, please call ACS at DSN 360-7500 or +31 (0)464-437500 (Schinnen), DSN 368-9783 or +32 (0)2717-9783 (Brussels) or DSN 366-6824 or +32 (0)6532-6824 (SHAPE/Chièvres). You can also call Military OneSource at 484-530-5908 for more information and referrals.

If you need immediate assistance, please contact the host nation police at 112 or call the military police:

- Brussels: DSN 368-9769 or +32(0)27-179769

- Chièvres: DSN 361-5301 or +32(0)68-275301

- Schinnen: DSN 360-7555 or +31(0)46-4437555

- JFC Brunssum International Military Police: DSN 606-244-3200/2616 or +31(0)45-5263200/2616

- SHAPE International Military Police: DSN 423-3333 or +32(0)65-443333

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