Navy Region Hawaii yesterday proclaimed October its Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Capt. Donald Hodge, chief of staff for commander, Navy Region Hawaii and commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor's Navy Region Hawaii Fleet and Family Service Center, called on all Navy personnel and their families to increase their awareness of and participation in efforts to prevent domestic abuse.

"The focus must be to prevent the violence from happening in the first place by recognizing what might be the problems in the home," said Hodge. "If someone sees domestic violence happening anywhere, don't just let it go. Do something about it."

Chet Adessa, family advocacy prevention and education specialist for Navy Region Hawaii, added, "The importance is to bring it to peoples' minds. Throughout the year, we forget about it (domestic violence), but this month pulls people together and reminds us that we all need to take part in this and re-commit ourselves to preventing domestic violence."