NOSC Ventura County takes a stand against domestic violence

Photo By Paulyn Z Santiago | Navy Operational Support Center, Ventura County staff shows their supports against domestic violence by putting purple handprints and signatures on the “Awareness Canvas.” October is an observance of domestic violence. (U.S. Navy photo by YN2 Paulyn Santiago/Released)  

PORT HUENEME, CA, UNITED STATES

10.16.2014

Story by Chief Petty Officer Ryan arnoldussen 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

PORT HUENEME, Calif. - As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Navy Operational Support Center Ventura County and members from the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate’s Office at the Fleet & Family Support Center participated by placing purple handprints and signatures on "Awareness Canvases" supporting the cause "One Voice Against Domestic Violence.”

“Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner,” as stated by the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. Additionally, “Abuse is a repetitive pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over an intimate partner. These are behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not want. Abuse includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation.”

Capt. Thomas Long, commanding officer, NOSC Ventura County, said one of the goals of One Voice Against Domestic Violence is to educate every Sailor and family member about how to prevent domestic violence and get the word out on how to report domestic violence, as well as means to prevent it.

“I am extremely proud of NOSC Ventura County sailors for their courage in speaking out and selfless commitment to preventing any type of domestic violence, either physical, emotional, sexual, economic or verbal,” Long said. “Our purple hands canvas symbolizes our commitment to help raise awareness and to reinforce our resolve for the fair treatment and uncompromising respect of every single sailor and family member.”

The message the military hopes to spread is that when Soldiers or family members are faced with dire situations involving abuse, they need to know it is okay to report it and they can receive help.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, what are my options?

There are two types of reporting options, restricted and unrestricted. Restricted reports do not involve military chain of command or law enforcement. Unrestricted reports will include some type of investigation by command and or law enforcement. Both options make available to victims the full range of advocacy and counseling services.

"The majority of Sailors and family members are unaware that the restricted reporting option even exists," said Rosio Flores, domestic abuse victim advocate, Fleet & Family Support Center.

Restricted reporting allows a victim to receive advocacy, counseling, and it allows for space and time to consider options. In order to have this option, it is important to know who you can report the domestic abuse to. Restricted reporting must be made to the domestic abuse victim advocate, a counselor, a victim advocate supervisor or a health care professional; however, depending on state laws (California for example), health care professionals are mandated to report cases of domestic abuse. With restricted reporting there is no official investigation, but the victim may switch to unrestricted reporting if they wish.

Unrestricted reporting allows a victim of domestic abuse to receive medical treatment, counseling, and request an official investigation. Unrestricted reporting can be made through the victim's chain of command, law enforcement, medical treatment facilities or contacting the Family Advocacy Program, Fleet & Family Support Center. Once an unrestricted reporting has been made, the victim may not request a restricted report.

"Our initiative is to educate and raise awareness to all the active-duty Marines, Sailors, family members and civilians on healthy relationships and what a safe relationship look like," said Flores. "We are targeting all the services on Port Hueneme by offering workshops, distributing information and resources so that everyone will have a clear understanding of what a safe relationship is."

Family violence, whether it’s domestic abuse or child abuse, is a choice. That harmful choice impacts our communities as a whole, not just the victim. Violence is a cycle and is a learned behavior. Intervention is necessary to keep victims safe and offer offenders rehabilitative services. Stressors are a contributing factor and often times learning how to address stress in a healthy way also helps prevent violence.

"It's important that we educate everyone on the signs," Flores said. "We give them resources and tools. The Fleet and Family Support Center offers classes on ways to reduce your stress, increase healthy communication and support in parenting."

“We want to bring awareness to domestic violence and sexual assaults and remind everyone that domestic violence goes against our Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment” Long said.

If you feel you are a victim of domestic violence or know someone who needs help, contact the Family Advocacy Program on Port Hueneme at (805)-982-5037 or call the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1 (800)-799-SAFE (7233).

• Date Taken: 10.16.2014
• Date Posted: 10.16.2014 18:06
• Story ID: 145275
• Location: PORT HUENEME, CA, US