Preventing domestic violence is an obligation to ensure a safe and nurturing environment

Photo By Cpl. Logan Kyle | October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and the installation provides services victims of domestic violence can take advantage of. Domestic violence is classified as any physical or emotional harm to a loved one.  

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, DC, UNITED STATES

10.03.2014

Story by Nicole Woods 

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

WASHINGTON – Military and civilian leaders at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) resorted to action, not just words, to let the 18,000 personnel at the military installation know that domestic violence is not acceptable.

JBAB Commander, Navy Capt. Frank Mays and Vice Commander, Air Force Col. Kendall Peters, signed a proclamation to promote awareness of, and foster the efforts associated with, preventing domestic violence.

Following the signing ceremony, Mays and Peters joined military, DOD civilian and contractor personnel and family members in the annual Domestic Violence Awareness 5K run, Oct. 3 at JBAB.

The run helped kick-off Domestic Violence Awareness Month at JBAB. JBAB’s Military and Family Support Center (MFSC) hosted the proclamation signing and run, bringing the on-base community together to raise awareness and support efforts to prevent domestic abuse and educate participants on the many resources available for civilians and service members. `

Mays said, "Anytime we can bring awareness to something like this and prevent pain and suffering in any family it’s always important.” The proclamation states: "...All citizens should become involved in supporting their colleagues, neighbors, and friends by utilizing resources to prevent domestic violence or seeking help if they are in an abusive situation, whether they are the aggressor or the victim.”

“Effective domestic violence programs succeed because of partnerships created among leadership, social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, and law enforcement agencies,” it continued.

“We in the military community have an obligation to become actively involved in prevention by supporting our service members and their families to live and raise children in a safe and nurturing environment…," it concludes.

JBAB Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate , Amelia Flores explained that the purpose of the event was to not only bring awareness to domestic violence, but it's also a way of giving support to the silent victims, who are afraid to speak about their situation.

"Domestic violence can sometimes go on for years before victims say anything or seek help. As you can imagine, it can be very hard to say things like, 'the father of my children abuses me', or for a male who might say, 'I'm an officer and my wife hits me.' It's very hard for victims to come out about these things," Flores explained.

"For example, in sexual assault cases, victims don't usually live with their offenders, whereas domestic violence victims typically have children with the offenders and live with them. They depend on their offenders. A lot of the times victims feel like they don't have a safe place to go and they don't want to jeopardize their loved ones career."

"It can be difficult when you depend on the offender for daily survival and when victims are just hoping the violence will eventually stop, because they just want things to go back to normal,” Mays said.

Flores is dedicated to ensuring that victims, or friends of victims, have a place to seek help and information.

"We provide resources and educate victims; you can get medical attention and clinical counseling,” she said.

“Sometimes it can be too late. We just don't want anyone to have to pay that price, under any circumstances,” Mays said.

Flores also explained the importance of knowing the two options for reporting incidents - restricted and unrestricted reporting.

If a victim is not ready for anyone to know what's happening and don't want the offender to be held accountable, they can opt for filing a restricted report, which is a confidential method, giving them direct access to Flores, the clinical staff, and to all of the resources available at the MFSC.

Flores said, it is only when you convert to an unrestricted report that an investigation occurs, the command gets involved, and legal actions are taken, as necessary.

Although October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the resources are available 24/7, year-round.

Throughout the year, the MFSC hosts several events and activities to raise awareness and educate the on-base community.

Some of those activities include the "Hands are not for Hitting" book readings at each of the Child Development Centers and a shirt painting event, where people can decorate shirts provided by the MFSC, who also provides the paint.

The shirt painting is an opportunity for victims, their friends and family, to express their feelings through meaningful messages and drawings. The shirts will go on display to encourage others to speak up and get the help they need. "For those who are afraid, sometimes they need another voice," Flores explained.
If domestic violence is happening, victims are encouraged to first contact the police (202-433-3333 on-base or 9-1-1 off-base) and then contact Flores and her team at 202-767-0450 or 202-404-7393.

Once the MFSC is notified of an incident, the first step is to develop and discuss a safety plan.

According to Flores, some victims don't feel comfortable with coming to the office, afraid that the offender or someone they know will find out, so Flores offers to meet them wherever they want.

"I can meet them at a coffee shop or somewhere off-base, as long as it's safe for them and for me," she said. "I can even go to their house, if the offender is not there, or they can come directly to my office."

"The biggest thing is making sure that those victims understand that there is a place for them to go to and that they are not alone. Domestic Violence is not right and it's definitely not the victim's fault,” Peters said.

After identifying a safe place to meet, the advocate works with the victim to put together a reporting statement, which leads into the next step of performing a lethality assessment.

Flores explained that lethality assessments are an easy way for law enforcement and other community professionals-such as health care providers, case workers, and court personnel - to identify victims of domestic violence who are at the highest risk of being seriously injured or killed, and immediately connect them to the right professional and program.

"Lastly, we do a privacy act [disclosure authorization form], which means I can communicate with the victim's case manager, or social worker about what's going on. I can help them identify the necessary resources, whether it be talking to a financial manager, finding a job, or if they need help getting a lawyer, I will literally go with them to court and help walk them through the process, because this can be a very difficult time for the victim and they may be afraid and not know what they're doing. A lot of the times they don't want to do this alone and I am here to be there for them." Flores passionately explained.

For more information, contact the MFSC at 202-767-0450 or 202-404-7393.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2014
• Date Posted: 10.27.2014 10:53
• Story ID: 146143
• Location: JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, DC, US