Meet Joint Base MDL’s Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

MCGUIRE AFB, NJ, UNITED STATES

10.02.2020

Story by Airman 1st Class Matt Porter 

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –Tasked with a mission to support a healthy Air Force community, the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) develops, implements and evaluates policies and programs which help prevent, and intervene in instances of spousal mistreatment.

Additionally, the DAVA can provide information on victim’s rights, needs assessment, court accompaniment, emergency shelter and community resources.

“Spousal abuse, both verbal and physical, is a difficult thing to get people to open up about,” said Christina Hernandez, 87th Medical Group Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate. “There’s a mentality that it’s a private matter between two people, and that doesn’t merit intervention or assistance from third parties.”

Hernandez recalls being drawn to social work based on her experiences with other social workers, as they played a key role in assisting the New Jersey-native following the premature birth of her son.

“My son was placed in an intensive care unit and these people were amazing,” said Hernandez. “Social workers helped me throughout the entire process and were extremely kind to me and my family.”

As a result when going back to school, Hernandez pursued a degree in social work, eventually attaining both, Bachelor’s and Master’s. Additionally, Hernandez is also certified through the National Advocate Credentialing Program as an Intermediate Advocate with the specialty of Comprehensive Victim Intervention specialist.

“All of this education, work experience, and thousands of hours on the job, it’s all necessary for my role here,” said Hernandez. “I’m on call 24/7 and might spend all day at a court hearing or setting someone up at a safe house. People depend on me to come through for them.”

Hernandez stresses the importance of her supporting role as a victim advocate for military members and their families. After assuming the role in 2014, she noticed how service members and dependents are often separated from their usual support groups.

“I talk to husbands, wives and their kids who in some cases are thousands of miles from their nearest friend or relative, while dealing with domestic abuse,” said Hernandez. “This can be extremely isolating and leave victims feeling helpless and even hopeless about their situation.”

All services DAVA provides are free and voluntary. DAVA adheres to strict standards of confidentiality in accordance with Air Force policy to better protect service members and their families.

“No one is truly alone in this and no situation is hopeless, help is available,” said Hernandez. “All it takes is the courage to reach out and ask for it.”

The DAVA is part of the Joint Base MDL Family Advocacy Program. The Family Advocacy Program’s mission is to build healthy communities and resiliency in support of family, community and mission readiness through implementing programs designed for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence, family maltreatment and child abuse and neglect.

For more information or to seek help, the DAVA and the Family Advocacy Program can be reached at [phone]. For after hours and emergencies, you can reach the DAVA by calling the 24-hour crisis line at [phone].

• Date Taken: 10.02.2020
• Date Posted: 10.09.2020 14:27
• Story ID: 380161
• Location: MCGUIRE AFB, NJ, US