October has been commemorated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The observance is a call to action to bring increasing awareness and attention to the issue of domestic violence, not only during the month, but throughout the year.

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) and the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) continually recognize and actively support this ongoing initiative.

This year's awareness slogan "Be the Change. Prevent Domestic Violence" is a challenge for all to take a stand and collectively work together to break the cycle of violence and develop a mindset of zero tolerance. With our voices as community members and collaborative efforts, together we can bring about this positive change.

Our Guantanamo Bay Community has various resources, such as the FFSC, chaplain, and/or military medical provider that an individual, couple, or family can use or be guided to for confidential professional care and support.

The programs at FFSC provide support for issues and stress related to adjusting to the military lifestyle, deployments, relocations, transition out of the military, and employment readiness. FFSC offer services and assistance with stress and anger management, conflict resolution, couples communication, parenting, navigating federal employment, resume writing, and general counseling to address non-medical issues.

Specifically, the FFSC's Family Advocacy Program (FAP) has preventative measures and services in place to help individuals and families through education, learning the warning signs and impact of domestic violence, where to find help, and how to build healthy relationships. Domestic violence victims can receive information and have access to advocacy services, restricted/unrestricted reporting, safety planning, and clinical counseling.

The ideal goal is for ourselves to be proactive and encourage others to seek and access support services before an issue or situation possibly develops into a domestic violence situation. It is up to the community to remember and model core values, such as respect, genuineness, integrity, trust, honesty, commitment, and courage, as they are essential in developing positive, healthy, and safe relationships and families.

In recognition and support of DVAM, the Fleet and Family Support Center has partnered with Rock'in GTMO and Radio GTMO to bring attention to this important topic. Rock'in GTMO has painted several rocks with DV awareness messages and has hidden them throughout the base. When you find one these rocks, bring your gem to FFSC at building 2135 to collect a certificate to redeem for a cool Radio GTMO t-shirt. Also, DVAM's campaign features the color purple and we encourage everyone to wear purple on Thursdays during the month of October.

Anyone who is in a domestic violence situation, or suspects someone is in such, may file a report by contacting the installation's police at 911 or contact Fleet and Family Support Center at 757-458-4141 during working hours and 757-339-8130 after hours. Supplementary support is also available through the National Domestic Violence hotline at 800-799-SAFE.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/.