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Hands unite against domestic violence

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Joining hands, Grissom recently united against domestic violence in an exercise aimed at educating people on how they can help end abuse.

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the base organized an "I can, we can unite to end abuse" project here Oct. 17.

Each participant expressed their personal commitment to ending violence through creative expression, using their hands as canvases. They decorated them with paint, makeup, tissue paper, feathers and more in a way that completed the statement "I can ______ to end domestic violence."

"This is a time to reinforce awareness, but also encourage a movement toward ending domestic violence and abuse," said Alison Duncan, 434th Air Refueling Wing social worker. "Interpersonal violence impacts all of us in some way, and ending this cycle depends on our willingness to be a part of the anti-violence movement, even if that involvement may seem small or insignificant."

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.

"This is such a big problem in our society," said Jill Marconi, Grissom's Airman and Family Readiness director. "It's not just people on the outside; it's people on the inside, people we work and interact with."

According to Duncan, the point of the project was to show people that no effort to stop domestic violence is insignificant.

"When we talk about ending intimate partner or family violence, individuals often feel that they alone can't do enough to make an impact -- it just seems too overwhelming," she explained. "That's where the 'I can, we can' project comes in -- empowering each of us to make a personal commitment to ending violence and emphasizing that collectively we do make an impact."

Organizers deemed the project a success after a greater-than-expected turnout and after hearing feedback from participants.

"We had a great turnout and even extended the time to allow for more people to participate," said Duncan. "As people entered and surveyed the room you could see the initial hesitation, but that quickly turned to excitement as their creative energies flowed as they really got into it.

"Their creations were amazing," she added.

Marconi said she thought the entire project was an amazing idea that truly made people think about their role in stopping domestic violence.

"I think people learned a whole lot more about what they could do," said Marconi. "It's enlightening to see how many people are making a stand."

Some of the ideas generated by Grissom's participants to answer the "I can" statement included phrases such as "empower," "share my voice," "inspire," "educate," "hope," "create change," "dry your tear," "be your voice" and more.

"The overall message is that we each have the power to help end violence and abuse," shared Duncan.

"The project was initiated by California-based organization in an effort to strengthen, connect and expand the anti-violence movement through creative expression," she explained. "The project has continued to gain momentum, especially during the month of October, and galleries of the 'I can, we can' art are exhibited across the country."

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.

"Once the project is completed, I invite anyone who is interested to visit Bldg. 431 to view our gallery," said Duncan.

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.

"Additionally, I am always available to assist Grissom members in connecting them with various community resources," said Duncan. "Feel free to give me a call, stop by my office or send me an email if I can be of assistance."

Grissom is home to the 434th ARW, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Communication detachment.

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