Stop the Violence

  • Published
  • By Rachel Kacsur
  • Family Advocacy
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  What do Rihanna, Tom Cruise, and the NFL's Adam "Pacman" Jones have in common? Contestants on the hit TV show "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?" might need to use one of their "life-lines" to get this one right.

The answer, they each have experienced mental, emotional and physical domestic violence first-hand. The Air Force wants to hand its Airmen a "life-line" too. Did you know you can call anonymously to discuss your questions or concerns regarding emotional or physical abuse? You can even call on behalf of an un-named friend whom you think is suffering without answers.

The Air Force wants victims of domestic abuse to be protected, treated with respect and given support, advocacy and care. This may happen without requiring that the victim's, or the alleged offender's, commander or law enforcement know. If eligible, under the restricted reporting option of AFI 40-301, the victim may talk to their medical or mental healthcare provider or the Family Advocacy Program staff without going up the chain of command.

How do you know if it is abuse? The Department of Defense defines domestic violence as an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The State of Alaska law states that domestic violence is the use, attempted use, or threatened use of force or violence against a person who is a current or former spouse, a person with whom the abuser shares a child in common, or a current or former intimate partner with whom the abuser shares or has shared a common residence.

The signs of abuse all involve power and control. They may be subtle or a really glaring event, but abuse impacts people of every race, religion and military rank.

Ask yourself these simple questions:
Are you told whom you may talk to or where you may go?
Is your military identification controlled by your partner?
Does your partner make all of the decisions; prevent you from working or attending school?
Are you threatened with the loss of your children?
Are you shoved, slapped, choked, or hit?
Have you been told that they will kill themselves or you?

There are many more signs than these. Maybe you think it is your fault? If only you were a better spouse, parent, Airman?

Call the Family Advocacy Program, anonymous calls are accepted, and someone can help you sort it out and learn how to make a safety plan. They can refer victims to counseling and support services both on Eielson and in Fairbanks. Assistance is available to help file protective orders or even transitional housing and relocation financial assistance.

There are lots of life-lines out there, and they want to help stop the violence. Help can be reached at the FAP at 377-4041, the chaplain's office at 377-2130, and the Fairbanks Interior Center for Non-Violence at 452-2293.