Domestic Violence Luncheon

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Base leadership became better educated at the Domestic Violence Awareness Luncheon held Oct. 14 at the Delta Breeze Club.

Officers, chiefs, shirts and civilian leaders were seated at tables, each with a card describing a scenario as part of the "In Her Shoes" exercise.

Each table faced a different situation and were sent to different tables around the room standing for different physical locations, such as support groups, shelter, clergy, police, mental health service, child protective services and even a funeral home.

Each time a table's character endured an incident, a designated person added a band-aid to the person's face. By putting themselves in the victims' places, it gave them a better understanding of what they have to endure.

"We hope this was enlightening about the kinds of hoops and obstacles they have to go through," said Clark Jackson, the event's host and 60th Medical Operations Squadron chief of family advocacy.

Greg Byers, 60th Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician, said that the turns his table's story took were "disappointing."

"We would think we were making the right decision, but we'd end up hurt more or at the funeral home," he said. "For some of those people who seek help, they were able to find it and get out of those bad situations."

The biggest thing he took from the experience was learning the value of speaking up, Byers said.

"When we do witness a neighbor and hear fighting or whatnot, we can make sure we let them know that we're here," he said.

The keynote speaker for the event was Veronica Nelson, a legislative assistant to California Senator Ted Lien of the 28th District. Nelson said she had been a victim of domestic violence, but was moved to get out of her situation by not wanting her son to think that was an acceptable way for a woman to be treated.

"That was very powerful," Byers said. "She got things turned around for herself, as well."
Byers said it's important for everyone to speak out, especially military members.

"There's sometimes a chance that people will be more silent because they don't want to hurt a spouse's career," he said.

As Jackson went around the room and fueled a discussion among the tables regarding their different scenarios, he underscored the purpose of the "In Her Shoes" exercise.

"We all have a role in domestic violence awareness," Jackson said. "It's immune to cure. It's ugly."