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October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. The U.S.
Army Garrison Kaiserslautern Army Community Service and Family Advocacy
Program continues to educate the KMC about domestic violence, and its
devastating impact.
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the
ages of 15 and 44 in the United States, and every 15 seconds a woman is
beaten. Domestic violence victims are both male and female, with the
majority being female. The garrison’s ACS and FAP believes that
education is the key to preventing domestic violence, as well as
providing prevention services to families who are
at risk or may need
crisis intervention.
As the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention
month, it is important to remember that violence against a spouse,
child or partner is contrary to the values and standards of the United
States Armed Forces.
What is domestic violence? The Department of Defense has expanded the
definition of domestic violence to include not just a marital
relationship, but “intimate” partner relationship in which a person of
the opposite sex shares a child in common, shares or has shared the
same residence for at least 30 days.
Domestic violence can include physical abuse, the intentional use of
physical force that causes or is likely to cause an injury; emotional
abuse which are acts that usually affect one’s psychological and
emotional well-being; sexual abuse, forcing one’s partner to engage in
any sexual activity through the use of physical violence, intimidation,
or the threat of future violence, or economic control by withholding
basic necessities.
Domestic violence tends to have a significant impact on children living in the home and hearing or witnessing the abuse.
The military, in its commitment to ensure that victims of domestic
violence are protected and provided support, advocacy and care, now
offers two reporting options: unrestricted reporting and restricted
reporting.
For unrestricted reporting, the victim continues to use the current
reporting channel of contacting Family Advocacy, the Command or
military police. Victim Advocacy services and Family Advocacy clinical
services are offered. At the victim’s request, healthcare services will
be offered.
If the victim chooses restricted reporting, the victim is able to
report the incident to specified individuals (victim advocates,
healthcare workers including Family Advocacy and supervisors of victim
advocates) without initiating the investigative process.
The victim signs a statement of understanding, and communication
remains protected unless the victim authorizes release or an exception
applies. The garrison’s FAP would like to see individuals, couples, and
families utilize its prevention services to avoid experiencing a
domestic violence incident.
In addition to providing informative briefings to commands and the
community, the garrison’s FAP offers stress management, anger
management, marital communication, marital enrichment and parenting
classes on a regular basis. Every ID card holder in the KMC is eligible
to participate in any of the classes, and they are free.
For more information, visit the garrison’s FAP in Bldg. 2919 on Pulaski
Barracks or call 489-6511 or 0631-536-6511 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
