Be aware of domestic violence during October Published Oct. 11, 2007 By Capt. Cheryl Glarza 354th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy officer EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- What comes to mind when you hear the term, "domestic violence?" Most often are images from a Lifetime movie of women living in shelters with black eyes or broken bones. More specifically, most people think of physical abuse as domestic violence. The Department of Defense defines partner physical abuse as the non-accidental use of physical force, i.e. pushing, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, scratching, restraining, throwing, biting, kicking, hitting with a hand or object, burning, poisoning, stabbing, choking, or using a weapon. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there are an average of 18,000 incidents of domestic abuse reported across all branches of service in any given year. Statistics also show that 66 percent of victims are women and 62 percent are dependents. But what about the many other facets of domestic violence? A more common and detrimental, but often overlooked form is emotional abuse; experts also use terms like, psychological, verbal or ambient abuse. The NCADV cites 95 percent of men who physically abuse their intimate partner also psychologically abuse them. The DoD defines partner emotional abuse as: · Berating, disparaging, degrading, humiliating victim (or other similar behavior) · Interrogating victim · Restricting victim's ability to come and go freely · Obstructing victim's access to assistance (such as: law enforcement, legal, medical) · Threatening victim (indicating/implying future physical harm, sexual assault) · Harming or indicating future harm against people/things that victim cares about, such as children, self, other people, pets, property · Restricting victim's access to or use of economic resources · Restricting victim's access to or use of military services (dependent ID, medical benefits) · Isolating victim from family, friends, or social support resources · Stalking or harassing victim · Trying to make victim think that s/he is crazy (or make others think s/he's crazy) What does all this mean to everyday life in the Air Force? Research from the 2006 Community Assessment Survey, highlighted by Maj. Dave Linkh, Air Force Chief of Air Force Family Advocacy Program Policy and Research, showed over 12,000 known cases of emotional abuse in the Air Force and over 57,000 unreported cases. Emotional abuse can have severe impact on the victim's physical and mental health. According to the NCADV, victims of emotional abuse have: higher use of the medical system for somatic complaints; greater numbers of missed days of work and impaired work performance; higher rates of substance use; increased mental/emotional instability; and increased suicidal tendencies. Col. Howard T. Hayes, 354th Medical Group commander, also brings attention to the effects of partner abuse on children. "Children respond best to hugs, not yelling," said Colonel Hayes. "Recently my father passed away and his one regret was that he didn't hug his six kids often enough. His children were raised to be proper young men and women," he said. "As he was dying, we all met at his bedside and found it hard to comfort each other with just a simple hug. Don't let your children grow up to feel they can't share a hug; share them at every opportunity." According to the NCADV, children who are victims of or exposed to psychological abuse are more likely to be either victims or perpetrators of abuse as adults. What can you do to help? Certain characteristics of military life such as repeated relocation, frequent deployments and temporary duties, and young/immature members make some families especially vulnerable to domestic violence. There are numerous resources and programs in the military and civilian community in place to help. On Aug. 21, the DoD released Instruction 6400.06, Domestic Abuse involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel. This DoDI clearly outlines roles and responsibilities of commanders, legal, law enforcement, chaplains, Family Advocacy, health care providers and advocates. It is everyone's role to report incidents of domestic abuse to Family Advocacy. Victims of domestic abuse can receive counseling, medical treatment, advocacy services and legal support such as civilian and military protection orders. Moreover, rather than reacting after an incident of family maltreatment occurs, Family Advocacy exists to prevent family violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of any form of domestic violence or would simply like to improve your partner relationship or parenting skills, please know there is help. For more information, contact Family Advocacy at 377-4041/4042.