NAS Jax supports domestic violence prevention

The event, held at Pat-riot's Grove, kicked off with a walk around the base as supporters of the cause carried signs and banners.

''October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so we are here today to show our support for victims and bring the civilian and military community together to support domestic violence prevention,'' said NAS Jax Fleet and Family Support Center Victim Advocate Amy Sultzmann. ''This is the first time we've done a rally like this. The Hubbard House holds a march each year called, 'Take Back the Night' and they don't get a lot of support. I went to them and asked what they thought about doing this walk and rally and having the support of the military behind it. They thought it was a great idea so we decided to try it.''

After the walk, several speakers took the stage to talk about how domestic violence affects families, including guest speaker MeloD, who spent eight years in an abusive marriage and who displayed an astonishing testament to her experiences through her artwork.

From left, Amy Sulzmann, Fleet and Family Support Center Jax victim advocate, Sharla Roe, sexual assault victim advocate for Quigley House and Ana Martinez Mullen of the Hubbard House, lead a group of walkers participating in the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Walk along Yorktown Avenue Oct. 3.

''I'm here today to share my experiences and visual diary, my paintings of the Domestic Violence Series. I finished the series of nine paintings about five years ago and it took me four years to complete them as part of my therapy. I'm a survivor of an eight-year abusive marriage which I

escaped from 15 years ago,'' said MeloD. ''I created these paintings with no intention of the public ever seeing these. Friends encouraged me to first start showing these in 2001. This is my 257th exhibit now and I do this non-profit to help other people and make them aware of domestic violence issues.''

''There are numerous types of domestic abuse - psychological, physical, sexual, verbal, emotional. I was abused in all these ways. My series was created from the phases I went through during the ordeal. These phases and titles of my paintings are Fear, Unworthy, Denial, The Secret, Awareness, Emergence, Intro-specting, Tender Embrace and Un-forbidden,'' she continued.

''I also do a lot of training with my local police department. One thing that is important is that, when a woman is being abused and the police go to the house and she's denying it, they wonder why she doesn't say something. Well it's like talking to a beaten dog. They've been beaten and pushed down so many times that they are going to cower and just can't be brave enough to take a stand,'' explained MeloD.

Guest speaker MeloD talks about her series of nine paintings that she created as part of her therapy after being in an abusive marriage for eight years. MeLoD uses her Domestic Violence Series to educate people about how domestic violence affects families in their daily lives.

''I thought about how long I kept denying the situation and didn't realize, I was being abused. The victim needs to come to the realization that they are being abused. I finally realized that I was being abused when it started affecting my children. I realized that as a mother, I had a responsibility to raise my kids in a non-violent home. At that point, I realized I had to leave. The children are truly the innocent victims in these situations.''

''It took me four times to leave and not go back. On an average it takes people seven sometimes many more. And, those victims need a strong support system and people around them who have lots of patience,'' she added.

As guests strolled by the paintings and gathered information, many talked about how important it is to be aware of domestic violence situations.

''When we go on deployment, we hold special briefs for our squadron members before we come home. These briefs cover numerous topics including relationships with families and how to handle the adjustment period after being gone so long,'' said CMDCM(AW/SW) Tom Welden, VP-45 command master chief. ''I let our people know that if they are ever having a hard time when they come home and they need a room in the barracks to cool off and can't deal with things at home, I will find them a place to stay. In fact, during one of our briefs, one of our Sailors asked what if they have kids. I told her that if she needs a place to stay, I will make it happen and find her housing. Within a month of us being back, she called me for help.''

CMDCM(AW/NAC0 Tom Welden, VP-45 command master chief, looks at the Domestic Violence Series created by artist MeloD to promote awareness about abusive relationships.

''The fight against domestic violence is far from over. My dream is that there someday there will be no more need for Quigley House or Hubbard House. It can only happen if everyone speaks out against it,'' added Sharon Youngerman, executive director for Quigley House.

''Everyone knows someone who has been touched by domestic violence in some way. Just because they haven't told you doesn't mean it's not occurring. We need to get them to talk about it, and take domestic violence out of the shadows and take the shame away from the victims because it's not their burden to bear and make perpetrators accountable for the actions so they'll stop what they are doing. We need to end domestic violence so our children don't have to experience it.''

At the end of the rally, NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson signed a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

''This is a wonderful effort on the part of several organizations to promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Those of you who deal with these issues and help the families in need are truly the unsung heroes. This is the first year we've held an event like this and hopefully we'll have many more to raise awareness of this issue,'' said Dobson.