SEMBACH, Germany -- Every year, garrisons across IMCOM-Europe bring domestic violence awareness to their communities through a variety of events.

The Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program is committed to supporting families impacted by domestic violence. FAP provides this support in the form of prevention, crisis intervention, information and referral, safety planning, assessment, and reporting options.

This year, FAP aims to raise awareness in each community through education for early detection of abuse and the role of technology-facilitated abuse.

The 2019 campaign theme is "Mobilize Help for Safer Relationships," with a focus on technology-facilitated abuse, which is the use of technologies such as texting and posting on social media with an intent to bully, harrass, stalk or intimidate a partner. This method of abuse can include monitoring and stalking behaviors where one partner "keeps tabs" on the other's location through apps and malware.

Preventing such actions calls for the support of all within the Army: Soldiers, family members and civilian employees.

"Our people are our greatest strength. We must treat each other with dignity and respect," said Gen. James C. McConville, Army chief of staff, while outlining his top priority.

According to Brandi Stauber, IMCOM-Europe Family Advocacy Program manager, "taking care of Soldiers, Civilians and Families is best achieved by community collaboration. Domestic violence is a challenge to our nation; one to which the military is not immune."

The FAP mission is accomplished through a variety of methods: seminars; workshops; counseling and intervention services. "Our prevention, education and response programs help families cope with the innate challenges of military life and are aimed to reduce domestic abuse," said Stauber.

For more information about Domestic Violence Prevention Month activities in your community, contact your installation Army Community Service.

Preview of some scheduled garrison events:
Ansbach
Oct 1-31: Beating Hearts Display at URLAS PX
Oct 16: Wear purple to promote Domestic Violence Awareness

Bavaria
Hohenfels
Oct 1-31: Clothesline Project at Hohenfels Library

Grafenwoehr/Vilseck
Oct 19: ACS Super Saturday
Oct 10: Beyond the Book: The Five Love Languages

Benelux

Nov 1: Date Night Movie

Italy
Oct 15: Wave of Light Candlelight Vigil
Oct 19: Pathway to Empowerment 5K Color Fun Run

Rheinland-Pfalz
Oct 1-31: The Clothesline Project
Oct. 11: DVAM Date Night

Stuttgart
Oct 24: Strong Kids Night Out