DAEGU GARRISON, Republic of Korea - During the month of October, the Army will increase awareness of domestic violence, educate about the signs of abuse, and reinforce the negative effects domestic abuse has on Army Family readiness while highlighting prevention and victim programs and services.

The theme for the month is "Make the Right Choice! Act to Prevent Domestic Abuse!"

Traditionally, the Army has emphasized how one person can make a difference. This program continues in that theme.

Besides helping those intimately involved in abuse, the Army will be informing "bystanders" to participate in prevention and intervention at an early stage in interpersonal violence of all kids and to avoid the "do nothing" option. Leadership hopes to unleash a powerful prevention tool for a whole range of negative outcomes, such as drunk driving, suicide, illegal drug abuse, and interpersonal violence.

A "bystander" is anyone in the community who may be an unwitting actor in the events that unfold between a perpetrator and a victim. Their behavior can be very important in either validating the acts of the perpetrator and the abusive behavior or rejecting them as unacceptable.

There's been a 34 percent reduction in the numbers of Army domestic abuse cases since 2001. These decreases have resulted, at least in part, because of the large number of lengthy separations many Army Families have experienced during this time period, Dennis Bohannon, director of Strategic Communications at the Pentagon reported.

"But a single domestic violence incident which attracts public and media attention, has the ability to over shadow these reductions," Bohannon said.

Mainstream media quickly connects domestic abuse, child maltreatment and neglect, divorces, suicides and homicides involving military service members to everything from combat experience and post-traumatic stress disorder, to financial stress and multiple deployments.

The fact is, even with the present optempo, rates of abuse have declined steadily declined thanks to increased awareness and proactive leadership involvement.

Throughout the month, and of course throughout the rest of the year, the Army will highlight the importance of paying attention to very early intervention in relationships as a way of preventing domestic abuse.

This will be accomplished by teaching teens about dating violence, emphasizing effective communication skills, helping those who have come from Families with a history of domestic abuse to learn new ways of interacting with their spouse and providing support to couples at all stages of their relationship to build resiliency to whatever challenges they face in military life.

"Marriage, like parenting, does not come with a guidebook, but individuals, couples and Families can learn new skills and develop healthy ways of interacting," Bohannon said. The Army will help through new and increased counseling programs.

"I can assure you that your Army leadership understands the important contribution each and every one of you makes," Army Secretary Pete Geren said. "We need to make sure we step up and provide the support Families need so the Army Family stays healthy and ready."