Helping military couples and families build healthy relationships can help to prevent domestic violence, a Defense Department official said Sept. 28.
Kathy Robertson, program manager for DOD's Family Advocacy Program, said spouses with strong trust and good communication skills can address relationship problems before they escalate.
When violence does occur, Robertson said, the department offers a range of support resources for victims, beginning with reporting options.
Domestic violence victims can choose either restricted or unrestricted reporting options, and in both cases can receive medical help and counseling support, she said.
Unrestricted reporting involves notifying the chain of command, and appropriate first-responder law enforcement agencies. Restricted, or confidential reporting, which a victim can do by contacting a Family Advocacy Program victim advocate, counselor, health care provider or chaplain, allows a victim to receive medical, counseling and advocacy help while taking time to decide whether to proceed with an unrestricted report, Robertson said.
Restricted reporting is not possible in cases involving child abuse, or when a victim advocate judges the person reporting is in imminent danger, she noted.
The restricted reporting option has been in place since 2006, and is intended to offer domestic violence victims a chance to seek help despite fears they might feel based on their situation, Robertson said.
"A lot of times, victims don't want to come forward -- they're afraid to come forward," she added.
Often in such cases, Robertson said, abuse has escalated over time, and victims -- especially military spouses -- may fear loss of finances, housing and family security. Restricted reporting offers them a safe avenue to help, she added.
Family advocacy staff members can help victims identify their options and make an informed decision about what to do next, she said.
"There are many families [we help] with intervention and treatment; they are able to reconcile, work things out and stay together," she said. "Every case is individual."
The department offers a range of on- and off-post counseling options, classes, and individual and group therapy, Robertson noted, and Family Advocacy representatives can help in guiding people to appropriate help.
"Military life is very challenging; it's lots of long hours [and] deployments," she said, adding that good communication can help couples work through the challenges.
"With a significant other, you know how to push each other's buttons and pull those triggers," she said. "We help them recognize those signs and get help before an incident happens -- or after an incident happens, help them … [identify] those triggers … and improve their communication and their trust."
RESOURCES
•If you are, or someone you know is, in immediate danger, call 911.
•Call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). The program will connect you to a specially trained victim advocate who will help you understand your options and plan how to keep you and your children safe.
•Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). The hotline provides information on finding shelters, housing, counseling, job training, and legal assistance in your area. It also provides local resources for those who commit domestic violence. For more about the hotline, go to www.ndvh.org.
•Contact your installation Family Advocacy Program at 831-242-7653 to report the abuse and get help. You may also visit your service branch's Family Advocacy Program Web page for information about policies, procedures, and support services. To find that information, visit the military installation locator at http://go.usa.gov/8SE.
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