Photo By Staff Sgt. LaShic Patterson | Tyrone D. McDuffie Jr. conducts a domestic violence and child abuse awareness training...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every October, U.S. Soldiers and leaders stand united against domestic abuse by highlighting initiatives, prevention, and commitment through Army wide campaigns.
Tyrone D. McDuffie Jr. serves as one of the many Fort Bliss leaders combatting domestic violence as a Family Advocacy Program specialist with the Army Community Service.
McDuffie, who has worked in his current position for three years, provided some helpful insight about domestic abuse including common myths, warning signs, and courses that individuals can attend to attain healthy relationships.
“One of the biggest myths is that men can’t be abused in domestic relationships,” said McDuffie. “It can be physical, but a lot of times, it can be more psychological [or] sabotage. Another myth is that it only happens in certain populations and demographics. It doesn’t matter [if it’s] high ranking, low ranking, poor, or rich, it impacts everyone.”
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states that abuse is about power and control. McDuffie explained that power and control in an abusive relationship often includes intimidation to dictate how things should be.
McDuffie wants people to think about the phrasing that others use around them and to listen intently to how someone is speaking to them to prevent fatal endings.
“Sometimes in relationships, some people think that’s cute,” said McDuffie. “‘Oh, they love me so much. They’ll do anything for me. They said they love me to death.’ And sometimes, they might just love you until your death.”
He detailed that warning signs of an unhealthy relationship can include a person feeling nervous, anxious, or scared and can also include the person feeling like they exist within a controlled environment where they must ask for permission to do things.
“Love shouldn’t hurt,” said McDuffie who also shared what healthy relationships should look like. “One big trait of a healthy relationship is mutual respect and compromise, and just having an understanding that I don’t own you and that person doesn’t own [you]. We are in an agreed [upon] relationship.”
To establish healthy relationships, McDuffie, who is also a licensed professional counselor, shared information about monthly educational programs such as Trans-Parenting (Coping with Divorce), Anger Management, and Stress Management and programs that alternate between each month such as Couples Communication, Scream Free, Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, and Baby Bootcamp.
“What I think they can do to prevent domestic violence and child abuse is first being educated about it and secondly, is understanding that we all have emotions and different feelings,” said McDuffie. “It’s ok to express them, but we never have to go toward violence to express how we feel.”
McDuffie continued, “If they’re struggling with anger management for example, or they’re struggling with stress management, relationship issues, or even disciplining their children, the ACS Family Advocacy Program section has the courses and classes available to help them get better in those areas.”
McDuffie further elaborated about their parenting classes.
“With STEP [parenting class], we’re primarily looking at the behavior of the child and how do we shift, change, or direct the child’s behavior,” said McDuffie. “With Scream Free parenting, we’re looking at the parent’s reaction to the child’s behavior.”
The New York native, who served in the military for almost five years and with the federal government for over 20 years, looks forward to the upcoming domestic violence awareness event at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center on Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will have guest speakers for leaders and victim advocates to propose their questions on domestic violence prevention and intervention efforts.
“I believe that Soldiers will take domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and child abuse very seriously if the leaders take it seriously and make it a priority for their commands,” said McDuffie.
The event is free and open to leaders in the military only. More information can be found on the Fort Bliss Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation website.
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2022 18:20 |
| Story ID: | 431636 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | BUFFALO, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 107 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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