Iraqi police, Pena Women's Cultural Center, and U.S. forces discuss ways to deal with domestic violence

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | Zhyan Hussan Aif, a leader at the Pena Women's Cultural Center and 1st Lt. Anthony McClanahan, 3rd Platoon leader, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, of Durant, Iowa speak to members of the Iraqi police and supporters of the PWCC, at the PWCC Dec. 21, about how to deal with domestic violence.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

12.21.2009

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq - Domestic violence is any form of physical, non-physical or sexual abuse, which takes place either in or outside of the home, according to James, a law-enforcement specialist working with 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

These words were said to a group of Iraqi police, female supporters of Pena Women's Cultural Center and U.S forces, at the PWCC, Kirkuk, Iraq, Dec. 21, at a domestic violence meeting.

At this meeting the participants discussed how the IP could better deal with victims reporting domestic violence, causes of domestic violence, the cycle of violence, different support services and the effects of domestic violence on children, according to James.

"The PWCC and IP's really took a step forward today," said 1st Lt. Anthony McClanahan, 3rd Platoon leader, 1-30 Inf. Reg., of Durant, Iowa. "Being able to have both groups present in a meeting will make everyone more aware of the needs of the other group."

Right now the country is changing and domestic violence is being recognized as a factor that is holding the country back from prosperity and growth, according to one of the PWCC women attending the meeting.

Some of the issues the IP need to be aware of are; women being judged when reporting domestic violence, the need of a domestic violence specialist at IP stations and ideas to help ease the process of reporting domestic violence, according to Zhyan Hussan Aif, a leader at the PWCC.

One of the biggest issues is the victim being judged when they go into the IP station, according to Zhyan. Many of the victims are looked at and grouped as criminals when they go into the station, this could be solved by having a domestic violence specialist at the station.

There is a great need for a specialist in domestic violence or a room the victim could go to in order to report the abuse to the IP station, according to Zhyan. "If these services were available then the victim could bypass the process of telling their story to five or six IP members and be able to immediately report the situation safely."

Having a room for the women to report the abuse to could be arranged, according to a member of the IP. "We are changing also, it only takes time."

Another one of the plans the PWCC mentioned is to start a specialized hotline number so victims can report domestic violence more easily and at any time, according to Zhyan. If there was a number the victims could call they could report the domestic violence and receive rehabilitation from PWCC.

The participants also discussed the meaning of justice for the victims, according to McClanahan. Justice is not just putting an abuser in jail for a few days, there needs to be a set punishment that will prevent the situation from happening again.

All that this group has discussed today truly is a step-forward, according to McClanahan.

We will hopefully continue these meetings every couple months and also find a solution for the issues that were discussed, according to Zhyan.

• Date Taken: 12.21.2009
• Date Posted: 12.29.2009 13:55
• Story ID: 43258
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ