OCR Text |
Show 8 Hilltop lane 10, 2002 Octobtr awareness Problem violence addresses family Program B. Searies Office of the Surgeon General Public Affairs by Master Sgt Richard The unfortunate recent occurBOLLING AFB, D.C. (AFPN) rences at Fort Bragg, N.C., have brought national attention to the problem of domestic violence. Four wives of soldiers at Fort Bragg were allegedly killed by ieir husbands over a period of six weeks in June and July. The Department of Defense considers all forms of family violence as unacceptable and provides extensive resources that focus on prevention, intervention and treatment The Air Force's Family Advocacy Program, charged with the prevention and treatment of family maltreatment, has the shared g of Air Force families goal of enhancing the health and focus on the mission can servicemembers so that and communities and their job performance. The program provides a comprehensive set of services and proactive programs to families and military members that include pre vention. community collaboration and treatment, said officials. "Our role is to be a leader in the Air Force at addressing domestic violence," said Col. Martha L Davis, the Air Force's chief of at Brooks AFB, Texas. "One of our primary objecthe tives is to build resilient, healthy communities and you can't achieve that with family violence going on." Fan lilies in the military are not immune to the occurrence of famwell-bein- FAP-locate- ily d ' violence and the Air Force uses a comprehensive approach to deal with ft. This normally involves all members of the chain of command. The program emphasizes awareness, prevention, early identification and treatment for fam- mi m independently." This level of training is crucial to trie development and implementation of successful prevention and intervention programs. One of the programs developed over the past several years to deal with domestic violence is the High Risk for Violence Response Team. These multidisciplinary teams located on all Air Force installations get together when there is indication of a possible volatile situation. The family advocacy officer heads the team. Other memmember's bers on the team include security forces, the active-dutsquadron commander, and representatives from the life skills support clinic and Air Force Office of Special Investigations. FAP officials have taken a community response approach when dealing with allegations of child or spousal abuse. "Our role is to assess all family members for what they may have witnessed and any maltreatment they have experienced," said Davis. "We're here to assist with the safety of all the family members including suicidal and homicidal issues, and any other risk for family maly treatment" Additionally, FAP officials have made significant progress in using automation to standardize and ensure uniform assessments across the Air Force. "We have processes and products that are built into our software so commanders, first sergeants and clients receive standardized information at each FAP (location) they encounter," said Davis. This has greatly enhanced our credibility with customers, while allowing us to provide the best dinical care possible to our clients." While credibility is something the FAP has built over the years, f? Davis said there are still misconceptions about using the programs. "Some people are under the belief that we're in the practice of tricking people into thinking we're a confidential organization and then reporting them to other agencies," said Davis. "Before we do any interviewing, our customers are informed about our maltreatment These approaches appear to be working as the rates of Air Force spouse maltreatment have not increased over the past decade. "We're seeing a change in the type of maltreatment cases we manage," said Lt CoL DariTritt, ily limits of confidentiality." Success of the FAP is also con- director of family advocacy research. "Air Force spouse physical ma- tingent upon ensuring the community is knowledgeable and aware of domestic violence in order to developing sensitivity to the problem, according to Bet-ty-e Williams, program manager for outreach and community pre- ltreatment cases currently represent a slightly lower proportion of total cases compared to five years ago. Spouse emotional abuse cases seen by FAP personnel have increased slightly, indicating our earlier intervention with couples who have not yet used physical violence." Research and evaluation indicates that FAP prevention and treatment interventions with Air Force families reduce distress and increase family cohesion and marital satisfaction, leading to less use of violence in the home. "We believe most family violence is treatable and doesn't have to ruin a person's career," said Pam Collins, the program manager who oversees treatment policies. "It's a myth that careers are automatically ruined by coming to family advocacy for services. "Domestic violence offenders must be held accountable for their actions; however, they can stop using violence in their families with help and can develop safe homes," Collins said. "Many families choose to stay together after abuse has occurred or ultimately want to be reunited. Most active duty members in families who receive intervention go on to complete successful military careers." Although the majority of FAP customers are married, referral services are available for anyone needing assistance. "We can provide assistance to anyone who feels they are in a volatile relationship," said Davis. "It doesn't matter if they're married, single or divorced." Although success of the FAP can be attributed to the creation of new programs over the past several years, it cannot be successful without quality people to carry out its' mission, said officials. "FAP staff who see maltreatment referrals are master's degree-levclinical social workers," said Davis. "Before being hired, social Q el workers must have at least two years experience working with child spouse maltreatment They must also be licensed in a United States jurisdiction for clinical practice and be certified to practice vention. "We help the community to understand they have a shared responsibility for creating a non- violent environment," said WflEama "We make communities aware of the empowerment they have to change things and to take action on domestic violence. Our prevention programs are focused on making a strong positive impact on the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of individuals, families and communities." "We believe domestic violence receives its power in part from beliefs and attitudes," said Williams. "We focus on the proactive solutions and give them prevention strategies." One of these prevention strategies is the establishment of the New Parent Support Program. Considering many Air Force families are young and away from home and family, they may require additional support during stressful times such as when expecting a child or parenting young children. Hie NPSP was specifically created to assist young families during this period and is a voluntary prevention home visitation program. Home visits are conducted by registered nurses and social workers who provide Air Force families with education on parenting a newborn, what to expect during and after pregnancy, dealing with toddler behavior in a positive way and, in turn, reducing the stress of parenting issues. The NPSP staff also and risk factors that may lead to partassists with couple-issue- s ner abuse. Officials urge people who believe they are a victim of domestic violence or believe someone else may be, to contact their local family advocacy office or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-723- 3. is the first step to resolution by Daryl Sondrup Family Advocacy Outreach Manager October is "Domestic Violence Awareness" month. Becoming aware of a problem is the first step in resolving it. The goal of the Hill AFB Family Advocacy office is to enhance base awareness of the often hidden blight of family violence, and to provide needed services to individuals and families who are at risk. "The men and women of America's Air Force are renowned for exemplifying the highest of values and principles. The vast majority of our personnel live by these standards each and every day," said Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, in a July 24 memorandum. "Unfortunately, there are a few among us who, by their unacceptable actions, fail to live up to those standards. Domestic violence is one such example, which has no place in our Air Force and will not be tolerated." The term "domestic violence" includes a number of aggressive behaviors or threats that lead to physical or psychological harm to its victims. Physical violence includes any physical aggression toward another individual, including: shoving, slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, choking, shaking, using weapons or objects that can harm. Psychological violence includes any behavior used to control another that has a negative psychological impact on the individual. This would include such actions as: name calling, ridiculing, criticizing, manipulating, threatening, intimidating, false accusations, and threats of physical harm. Sexual violence is basically forcing any type of sexual activity on another. What can be done to put a stop to violence in the home? Marital therapy can be a big help in assisting couples to communicate more effectively with each other, and to resolve hidden issues in relationships that may be factors leading to anger and violence. when anger starts to escalate is Using a "Time-Out- " " an explosive a proven technique in of a are: out The time steps episode. 1. Give a signal when anger starts to escalate, and say, "I'm really getting angry and I need a time out"; 2. Separate from each other for one hour. Do something physical, but not dangerous, during that hour in order to burn off that built up energy; 3. Meet again after one hour and this time try to focus on the problem or issue and avoid attacking each other. If there are relationship issues that continually lead to anger and aggression professional help may be required. "We must be watchful for the signs of domestic violence and act to end this blight on our community," Jumper said. "Leaders at all levels are responsible for protecting victims, initiating investigations, assessing criminality, and holding offenders accountable. The Family Advocacy Program is the commander's primary resource to prevent, intervene, and treat abusive behavior within Air Force families. I expect commanders to take appropriate action on offenders who commit domestic violence." In many cases where domestic violence becomes repetitive, police intervention may be the only action that will stop future incidents from occurring. If you have a concern, or if violence has become a problem in your home, contact the base Family Advofor assistance. cacy office at Ext. For more information on domestic violence call the statewide toll free "Infoline" at (800) "short-circuiting- 897-LIN- Have em H IMi for lurid? Base Bestosrsnts, Ex). 72043 Let LOOKING FOR "FAST CASH" s know 1 1 top Times , ! jl Ext. -- Msru Line, Ext. 71192 PAY DAY LOANS POSTDATED CHECKS 'SECURED LOANS 7-4- 598 Located at: Sable Financial Inc. 2182 776-140- 0 We've got a loan carved out for you. I MONITORS Get the 15" Monitors $39 iOlhrrant Life sawgrilL..,.. qs You choota your own waakly school Khodula ana work wirii CCI'i instructor at a INTERNET $- - y 32704a 95 winner with pracula: SERVICE UNLIMITED ACCESS Murder, Mayhem, anq Dinner by Layton. Actor's Theater tog on at www.3rmos.com 1.2 $JJ $249 b'KSia'r0"' j "Bare Bones System" and Davis Arts Council r Please Arrive Promptly at 7 p.m. at Olde St. Rose in Layton October- - 5, 11, 12, 19, 25, 26, SO, 31 Price $30 oaca and looming ttyla ikol it coaiforrobla to you. IMUM IhKlUDIl COMPUTE! MCKHAMMINO 'BTTvwrJ?"l?TmS:5OT?MT MICtOSOfT I0O0 NITWOtMNO . IMCSE) "1 MKtOSOrt OffKt 2000 ASSOCIATH NOHEI 888 1 I wwwcanRtDu I CISCO OIACU 316 ijWcot saw saiarr,uim IN COMMJfH to you by producers of Dinner with Dr acuta and The 49er Murder Mystery. , --, COMWTH TICHNKIAN Call Today 2 Layton . PENTIUM tpaclallilng In Informatlaa Technology training la III four buay lllaatyla. N. HUlfleld Rd. Brought STUDIES UNUX 3139 south owqiw,ut iMf, m9 ixt wits mi r Call Price includes Dinner, Beverage, and Entertainment. Box Office hours 10 am. - 5 p.m. Reservations must be ma4e at least 24 hours In a4va POOR |