‘The Yellow Dress’ highlights Domestic Violence Awareness Month events at Maxwell Published Oct. 12, 2009 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- An unforgettable one-woman performance is coming to Maxwell as part of the base's observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, according to April Jones, outreach manager for the Family Advocacy Program. The entire base population is invited to view "The Yellow Dress," a dramatization based on a story of a young woman who was the victim of domestic violence. Two performances are scheduled for the Maxwell community: at Gunter SNCOA West Auditorium, Oct. 21, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and at Maxwell Base Theater, Oct. 22, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. "It's a very powerful performance and will get people talking about relationships they or someone they know may have," said Ms. Jones. "Word of mouth about the production has grown within the Air Force, and we are very proud to get this production to Maxwell." The performance lasts 30 minutes, with 20 to 30 minutes after the performance allotted for audience discussion on the topics covered by the performance. "There will also be professionals in the building in case someone would like to talk privately," said Beverly S. Lesyea, family advocacy officer. The play is performed by Deana's Educational Theatre, a production company that employs dramas such as "The Yellow Dress" as a vehicle to combat violence and promote healthier relationships. The play is altered as needed for different audience groups, and has been shown to schools, colleges, the military and communities across the U.S. and abroad. Deana's Educational Theatre was launched in 1994 in memory of Deana Brisbois, a Massachusetts woman who was a victim of relationship violence in 1993. This special performance is one of the ways the Family Advocacy Program is combating relationship violence through education, enriching the lives of military families at Maxwell. "Mastering the Magic of Love," a six-session course, provides a look at family and relationship enhancement techniques for single, engaged, married, divorced and widowed people. Participants are engaged by a blend of presentations, hands-on exercises and scenarios both viewed and acted out by participants. Topics include how to date each other, communication, how to disagree and love languages. "It is a very interactive session," said Ms. Jones. Hosted in partnership with the Family Guidance Center of Alabama's LIFT program, or Life Is Fun Together, the course is held Mondays and Thursdays this month, excluding holidays, from 6-8 p.m. The educational session is open to everyone, and child care is provided for children ages 1 to 12. It's a six-session course, and certificates of completion are provided, as well as a mug and candy from the Family Guidance Center of Alabama. Another couples course, "Fighting Fair: He Said, She Said," is designed to boost communication skills, and help couples learn healthy ways to disagree and forgive. The class will be held on Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m., at the Airman Family Readiness Center. Active duty and spouses who are expectant parents are encouraged to take advantage of the "Baby and You" orientation, the first Wednesday of every month. To reduce the stress on new parents, several topics are covered, including programs, services, TRICARE, parenting stress, nutrition, dental health, car seat safety and the financial aspects of parenthood. The orientation is held in two phases, with morning focusing more on information and the afternoon focusing on medical signs and symptoms, sleeping, a father's role, massages, and what to expect physically during pregnancy. A nurse is available to visit and educate young parents on topics such as breast feeding. "Relationship Smarts for Teens and Parents," an interactive session for parents and teens, will focus on relationship safety and the development of healthy friendships and dating relationships. The one-session interactive class will be held at the Maxwell Youth Center on Oct. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Teens and parents will start in separate sessions, with parents learning how to help nurture and guide their teens. At the end of the hour, parents and teens come together for interactive games with door prizes during parent-child time of interaction. The session is also held in partnership with the Family Guidance Center of Alabama as part of LIFT. Another youth educational opportunity blends learning and bowling. The Unmask Domestic Violence Bowling Tournament will be conducted at the Maxwell Bowling Center for teens only in the billiard room. The teens will be able to "unmask" domestic violence by answering quiz questions correctly. All teens who participate will receive a Halloween treat. The event is coordinated in cooperation with the Maxwell Bowling Center and the child and youth behavioral consultant a component of the Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC) Program. The goal of all of these events is to demystify domestic violence, as well as provide a foundation for healthier relationships among families, roommates and dating couples. Domestic violence, also known as relationship violence, comprises a variety of behaviors, including emotional, physiological, physical and sexual abuse, as well as threats or attempted abuse. To battle the negative feelings that turn into negative actions, Maxwell's Family Advocacy Program focuses on prevention and treatment. FAP augments the mission readiness of Airmen by improving family health, morale and welfare. Issues like domestic violence and family stress negatively impact mission readiness. "We're here to support the mission," said Ms. Lesyea. "We want them to be mission-ready. We want people to get the treatment to make the family whole again." FAP's ultimate goal is prevention; however victims of violence are encouraged to get the assistance they need to make themselves and their families whole again. FAP offers restricted reporting of domestic violence incidents, or a confidential report made to a healthcare provider, FAP staff, Military One Source or Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Restricted reporting will not trigger an investigation, and command will not be notified of the incident. However, in order for restricted reporting to be offered, the victim must establish a safety plan. Incidents that are reported through normal channels are unrestricted reports may spark an investigation, with command staff being notified. Treatment for domestic violence includes individual counseling, couples counseling, and emotion management groups, which are eight-week groups that help individuals deal with anger and resentment. More groups will be coming in the next fiscal year for patients. A pilot program, Family Advocacy Safety Education Seminar, or FASES, is a once-a-month service for those referred to the Family Advocacy Program that emphasizes the development of communication skills. "Communication issues are probably the number one cause of people coming into our office," said Ms. Jones. She emphasized that in most cases, treatment for domestic violence incidents will not spell the end of one's Air Force career. "I'm glad I came," are among the positive comments she has heard about the treatment program, which enhances family life and helps Airmen stay more focused on the mission. "As a part of the Medical Group, we're a medical program. We want to provide treatment to prevent another incident," she said.