FORT LEE, Va. -- Kenner Army Health Clinic Family Advocacy Program is planning activities throughout October to work towards eliminating and bring awareness to signs of abuse in relationships. This is all a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is a great way to support survivors, and connect with others.
“This is an important month,” said Behavioral Health, Maj. Burke Lenz, chief of family advocacy program-clinical. “By promoting and supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month we are honoring one of our nation’s most precious resources, the family.”
For over thirty years, the DVAM has been observed nationally in hopes to bring light of the issue of domestic violence and how it effects families, victims, survivors and communities.
Domestic violence is incompatible with military values, reduces mission readiness, and has a profound impact on military families. The National Coalition against Domestic Violence reports that more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually and only 34 percent of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.
Kenner Army Health Clinic Family Advocacy Program will hold the following events to commemorate and honor victims and survivors of domestic violence:
· The Clothesline Project: The Clothesline Project is a visual display of the impact of domestic violence. The T-shirts made in September are hung on the lawn and inside along the hallway at Kenner. T-shirts were made by a survivor of violence or someone who has been impacted by domestic violence. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence and abuse, to honor a survivor’s strength to continue, and to provide another avenue for them to courageously break the silence that often surrounds their experience.
· Empty Place at the Table: An Empty Place at the Table is designed to increase awareness of the inherent dangers of domestic abuse and to remember the victims and the impact their loss has had on their families and their communities. The dinner table features empty place settings representing actual victims of domestic violence who lost their lives at the hands of an intimate partner and are now missing from their families’ lives. The story or information about the victim is also added to the table setting. The table is located in the Kenner lobby by information desk.
· Box of Hope: Provides an opportunity for people to write words of encouragement of support for those impacted by domestic violence. These letters will be provided to local domestic violence shelters.
· Purple Day: Is an opportunity to raise awareness about domestic violence by wearing purple anytime throughout the Fort Lee community.
· Purple Ribbons: Purple ribbons are displayed throughout the month as a symbol of support and a call to take action in speaking out and stopping domestic violence.
The Family Advocacy Program-Clinical is located on the third floor of Kenner, and is part of the Behavioral Health Service Line. The FAP staff work closely and collaboratively with military commands, military law enforcement personnel, medical staff, family center personnel, chaplains, as well as civilian organizations and agencies.
If you are victim to domestic violence or believe someone is a victim of domestic violence please provide put them in contact with the one of the below resources.
FAP-C (Family Advocacy Program-Clinical
Location: 3rd Floor – Kenner Army Health Clinic
Office Number: 804-734-9152
On Call Number 24/7: 804-586-2489
ACS (FAP Victim Advocate)
Location: Mahone Avenue Bldg 9023
Office Number: 804-734-6381
On Call Number 24/7: 804-479-6775
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