The Great Place takes great strides for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - Purple was the theme as walkers and runners donned commemorative t-shirts and other attire of the same hue for the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month 3k Walk/Run event Oct. 2 at Sadowski Field on Fort Cavazos.

"We all have on the same thing at the same time, and it builds a rapport," said Rhonda Shabazz, program manager, Family Advocacy Victim Advocate Program. "It lets people who are not being seen know that somebody really cares."

Each October, the military community at The Great Place unites to bring awareness to domestic violence, and this year Army Community Service partnered with the Family Advocacy Program, the Victim Advocate Program and Mission Installation Contracting to host the event.

Staff from FAP and VAP, Soldiers, family members and community participants walked and ran just over three miles as a symbol of solidarity in taking a stand against domestic violence.

The crew of the Great Big Podcast took to the field for the festivities to find out more about how The Great Place supports the cause.

"This is our way of getting out in the open so we can show people you're not alone," Shabazz said. "There are people who are dealing with some of the same things that you're dealing with. No matter what age, no matter what race, the ethnicity - none of that really matters. It affects everybody. So, this walk is really for us to show that we are a part of this team as much as anybody else is."

Shabazz went on to explain the impact of domestic violence within the military and beyond.

"It affects every part of what we do, in every part of our working life, our personal life, our military life," she expressed. "We always say that in order for Soldiers to effectively deploy and be in their right minds, their families have to be intact. And so, to bring awareness, to assist those families on the prevention side as much as the intervention side, is really important for us."

Sharon Jones, FAP specialist with ACS, agreed.

"Prevention is important, but intervention is as well," she said. "Because families do choose to stay together, equipping them with the tools to help them prevent a future incident from happening is going to be important as well."

Shabazz stressed the importance of ensuring the community knows there is help available.

"You can imagine that when a domestic violence incident happens, it shakes up a person's individual world, and they don't know where to turn," she said. "We're that resource to help them navigate those unchartered waters of being in an abusive relationship."

Lt. Col. Steven Vandezande, 901st Contracting Battalion commander, shared similar sentiments about the significance of resources.

"Bringing that awareness and bringing the resources that are available on the installation and off the installation for people that are affected by (domestic violence), understanding where those resources are, who can help them, and, just as importantly, for the leaders, people and friends, to understand what the signs are and to intervene when it's appropriate to make sure that everybody gets the care that they need (is vital)," he said.

Shabazz noted that in addition to the event, ACS organizes resource fairs, resource tables throughout the community and military police officer-escorted visits in housing to ensure people feel safe.

She reassured those who are experiencing domestic violence there is help and encouraged them to seek assistance.

"You are not alone," Shabazz said. "There are individuals who specialize in assisting victims of domestic violence, of sexual assault in intimate partner relationships. That is why we are here.

"Education is the key," she continued. "And once a person takes that first step to seek out a resource, we can help guide them from there."

Victims of domestic violence can call the 24/7 crisis line at 254-702-4953. Those concerned someone they know is experiencing domestic abuse can call 254-287-2273 for assistance 24/7.

Watch the podcast Monday at fortcavazospao.podbean.com or on YouTube at youtube.com/@fortcavazosarmy.

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