By MC2 Michael Ehrlich

Throughout the month of October, you may have seen these purple ribbons around campus in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, encouraging students, faculty and staff to spread the word about the services provided by the Navy's family advocacy programs.

Officials at Naval Support Activity Monterey's Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) say the effort is critical to stopping the violence.

"The military is taking an increasingly serious look at domestic violence," said FFSC Clinical Counselor and Case Manager Guy Sartee. "Making a month toward awareness and prevention is very helpful … because no one is exempt throughout all the ranks."

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 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. The Family Advocacy Program, a Department of Defense program, provides domestic and child abuse prevention efforts, early identification and intervention support for victims, and treatment for offenders.

Helping couples develop healthy relationship skills is a key violence prevention strategy for the Family Advocacy Program. As a result, the Navy's 2015 observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month emphasize addressing domestic violence as a shared community responsibility to prevent, recognize and report domestic violence.

For more information, check out the Family Advocacy Program website.