Nationally, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year's Army theme is: Make the Right Choice! Act to Prevent!

The theme reinforces the Army's Family Covenant commitment to Soldiers and their Families by encouraging everyone in the community to take an active role in the prevention of domestic violence.

"The Army Family Covenant commits the Army to provide Soldiers and their Families a quality of life equal to their service," said Aida Rivera, Family advocacy program manager. "Domestic violence undermines that promise."

The key to effectively preventing domestic violence in the Army is a firm commitment from command and all members of the military community to assist in this effort. That's why this year's campaign has bystander intervention as one of its focal points.

"Everyone in the military community can be a bystander to domestic violence," Rivera said. "Whether turning our backs on an abusive act and becoming part of the problem, or taking an active role in ensuring abuse is reported and becoming part of the solution, we all play a role."

As part of the Army's commemoration of this month, the ACS Family Advocacy Program will be providing activities and events designed to create awareness of domestic violence and inform the community of resources available to assist victims of abuse and hold offenders accountable.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month schedule of events
Oct. 1: DVAM display, Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic lobby
Oct. 7: "Hands are Not for Hitting" Puppet Show, Aberdeen Area Child Development Center, 9 to 11 a.m.
Oct. 13: Leader's Course, Ball Conference Center, building 3074, 9 a.m. to noon
Oct. 14: "Hands are Not for Hitting" Puppet Show, Edgewood Area CDC, 9 to 11 a.m.
Oct. 15: Lunch Box: Anger Management, Aberdeen Area Army Community Services building, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Oct. 17: Commissary lobby, Information booth, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oct. 20: DVAM special event: Parenting Game, Top of the Bay, 9 a.m. to noon, Parent Session; 1 to 5 p.m., Train the Trainer
Oct. 27: Dating Violence, Aberdeen Area Child, Youth and School Services, 4 to 5 p.m.
Oct. 29: Dating Violence, Edgewood Area CYS Services, 4 to 5 p.m.
Oct. 31: PX lobby, Information booth, Aberdeen Area, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For additional information or to register for a class,
contact the ACS FAP, 410-278-7478/2435.