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Grissom hands unite against domestic violence

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Grissom Airmen sent a powerful message, not with written words or speech, but with creative hearts and colorful hands. 

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, aimed at educating people on how they can help end abuse, Grissom held an "I can, we can" project here Oct. 15.

"The purpose of the 'I Can, We can' is about expressing the difference we can all make in ending abuse," explained Amy Little, 434th Air Refueling Wing sexual assault response coordinator and behavioral health support coordinator. "The event shows that each individual can make a difference; in this case by taking time from their daily routine to make a personal commitment to end violence through creative expressions."

During the event participants expressed their personal commitment to ending violence by using their hands as canvases and completing the statement "I can _____ to end domestic violence."

"There was no wrong way to participate in this event," said Little. "No idea was too small to be important or too big to be possible."

Each individual expressed their ideas by decorating their own hands or a paper cutout of a hand with paint, makeup, markers, glitter and more in a way that highlighted their individual expression.

"When I heard about the event, I felt it would be a good opportunity to have the ability to actually do something about domestic violence," said Staff Sgt. Lamar Woods, 434th Operations Support Squadron air crew flight equipment specialist. "I chose the words 'I can be a helping hand' because everything we do to educate people about domestic violence makes a difference."

Through education, Little hopes to unite and ultimately create a culture shift in the way people sometimes view domestic violence.

"Educated individuals become empowered with the belief that they can and will make a difference; ultimately becoming part of a collective movement that does not tolerate abuse," said Little. "I believe the goal of bringing awareness to issues such as domestic violence is to change the culture from one that looks the other way to one that makes an impact."

According to national statistics, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, children who witness that violence have the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next, and most cases are never reported to the police.

"Creating awareness about the issue decreases the stigma and the isolation for individuals and increases support," added Little. "Too many times we look at issues like domestic violence and think "I can't" because it feels too big, it's not your issue, or what you do doesn't matter. 

"This event is an opportunity to release those 'I can'ts' and realize the potential of your 'I can,'" she added. 

Some of the ideas generated by Grissom's participants to answer the "I can" statement included phrases such as " be a helping hand," "listen," "be aware," "make a change today," "speak," "take a stand," "believe in yourself" and more.

"Each individual's message from the event reinforces [participants] own ability to be the 'change they wish to see in the world' and also communicates support and encouragement to others who will see their creative expressions," Little explained. "Individually and collectively we are a force of change to end domestic violence at Grissom, our local communities and communities at large."

In all, the event was a success and participants learned from it, said Little.

"Participants learned how this issue requires each one of us to commit to a positive change," she said. "I think they also learned they are not alone, and although domestic violence may not be an issue in their own life, statistically it may affect someone in their life circle." 

The "I can" messages created by Grissom members were photographed and will be used for a community gallery, where the art will be displayed as a symbol of the base's commitment to end abuse.

If someone or someone they know is in an abusive relationship and wants help, they can call the Indiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-332-7385 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

Grissom is home to the 434th ARW, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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