Naval Base Kitsap Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Allen Lee | 191004-N-DI108-0130 BREMERTON, Wash. (Oct. 4, 2019) Capt. Rich Rhinehart, commanding officer, Naval Base Kitsap, front row, second from left, and various Kitsap county officials take a pledge against domestic violence during a National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) proclamation signing event in Bremerton, Wash. DVAM is an annual observance that generates awareness of domestic violence as a serious public health issue and the resources available to help prevent and address it. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Allen Lee/Released)  

BREMERTON, WA, UNITED STATES

10.04.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Allen Lee  

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. - Local government officials and military members gathered for a pledge against domestic violence during a Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) event at the Norm Dicks Government Center, Oct. 4.

Designated as the month of October, the first DVAM was observed in 1987.

Capt. Rich G. Rhinehart, commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), attended the event on behalf of NBK where he, and other local government officials, signed a proclamation against domestic violence.

"I recently heard a statistic that bothers me," said Rhinehart. "In the same time, it takes a person to brush their teeth, about 40 men and women in the U.S. become victims to domestic violence. That's just two minutes. Trying to imagine that number spread over the entire year is troubling and uncomfortable. This issue doesn't only occur in October. We're using this observance to renew our annual commitment to supporting domestic violence survivors, and encourage others to speak to, and for, those victims who may be afraid to speak up and seek help."

Emily Randall, the Washington state senator for the 26th district, delivered the keynote remarks during the event.

“I would just like to thank every member that came today representing so many different advocates in our communities,” said Randall. “It’s really when we join forces that we are stronger and I am grateful for the show of support today.”

Lisa Ganowski, the family advocacy program victim advocate at NBK Fleet and Family, organized the event along with the Young Women’s Christian Association of Kitsap County.

“Doing this event at the beginning of the month and having all of our elected leaders proclaim the month as Domestic Violence Awareness Month sets the stage for everything we have going on,” said Ganowski. “I was in awe to see every local leader so eager to participate. When we first started inviting people, every single mayor, commissioner and leader, without hesitation, wanted to participate and showed me that people want to raise awareness on this very serious issue.”

• Date Taken: 10.04.2019
• Date Posted: 10.08.2019 12:16
• Story ID: 346624
• Location: BREMERTON, WA, US