Black Eye Campaign: Sabers conduct social experiment

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Payne, 726th Air Mobility Squadron command support staff NCO in charge, poses for a portrait while wearing moulage makeup at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 17, 2018. Payne volunteered to simulate a victim of domestic violence for one day in support of the Black Eye Campaign. The social experiment was designed to keep track of how many people responded to signs of abuse. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Valerie Seelye)

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Seven Spangdahlem Airmen went to work with simulated bruises on their faces, here, Oct. 17, 2018, in support of the Black Eye Campaign, a social experiment to raise awareness of the importance of recognizing and responding to domestic violence.
The volunteers reported to their jobs wearing moulage makeup resembling bruises, black eyes, strangulation marks, and scratches, tracking how many people responded to their injuries.
“I didn’t expect people to take it as seriously as they did,” said Senior Airman Miranda Gollnick, 52nd Logistic Readiness Squadron material management technician, who volunteered to wear the makeup. “I expected people to make a lot of jokes about it.”
Most people who approached Gollnick were very caring, she said.
“Except for one person, everyone took it really seriously and immediately were very caring, respectful, and concerned for my safety,” Gollnick said.
However, people reacted to each volunteer differently.
“It is completely different with men,” Gollnick said. “The men all said that they didn’t get as caring of a reaction – no one really took it seriously, as if men can’t get beaten up by women.”
Of the 325 total people the volunteers came in contact with, 23 percent asked about their appearance, 3 percent made jokes, and 74 percent either didn’t ask about their injury or didn’t notice it, said Amanda Clark-Andrejkovics, 52nd Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy outreach manager.
Although some people joked about the injuries, the correct way to respond to anyone with signs of abuse is to ask them if they are OK or need help, said Keith Baronsky, 52nd MOS family advocacy clinical social worker and treatment manager.
Spreading awareness of domestic violence is important for those who are afraid to ask for help, Baronsky said. However, the topic is commonly ignored because it makes people uncomfortable.
“Many times people have been touched by domestic violence and it brings up their own bad memories,” Baronsky said. “Most of us don’t like getting into negative, uncomfortable feelings, so we just avoid it.”
Although the event was an experiment, domestic violence is a real problem, Gollnick said.
“It was eye-opening to people in my unit that this stuff does happen,” Gollnick said. “It’s not just something you hear about or read about. We get briefings on it, but it’s an actual issue that happens to people. We need to be more prepared to handle it.”
Gollnick, who left a relationship that was becoming abusive, related to the event on a personal level, she said.
“This was kind of a heavy thing for me. I was dating someone who was verbally abusive – I felt like it was getting physical,” Gollnick said. “This would have been me if I had not left.”
Like Gollnick’s experience, abuse can be verbal or emotional, Baronsky said.
“Domestic violence comes in several forms, it’s not always physical,” Baronsky said. “There aren’t always bruises that show. Pay attention to your gut feeling, especially if you notice changes in your friend, coworker, or Airman. Just don’t be afraid to ask.”
There are several ways a person can report domestic violence. Available resources include chaplains, sexual assault response coordinators, first sergeants, the medical clinic, and family advocacy. With a restricted report through family advocacy, a victim can receive treatment, counseling, and therapy without notification to their command.
A domestic abuse victim advocate is available 24 hours a day. Family advocacy can be reached at DSN 452-8279 or commercial 0656561-8279.