New program at Fairchild assists victims of domestic abuse
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --
Fairchild has added a new tool for victims of domestic abuse. The 92nd Medical Group now has a new Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate whose responsibility is to provide base personnel, their family members or intimate partners who are victims of domestic violence assistance when requested.
The DAVA provides a private and confidential service to encourage victims in seeking assistance. These services must be available 24/7 through either personal or telephonic contact and include immediate and on-going information, referral, assistance, safety planning and support services.
"This program will be very helpful in creating a feeling of hope for victims," said Cory Standridge, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy representative. "My role is to assist victims [confidentially] at a very crucial and difficult time in their lives. I provide support, encouragement, resources, safety planning and aid in navigating both the military and criminal justice systems.
The victim is the focus with this program.
"This service is very important in a victim's ability to effectively cope with the vast array of emotions they are feeling," Standridge said. "Having someone who is available around the clock and supportive of the victim's decisions is an intrinsic part of my role. Helping the victim by removing barriers and empowering them to make positive decisions enables the victims to feel as if they have control of their own life - that is why this program is so wonderful."
In 2000, the problem of domestic abuse in the military was analyzed and researched by the Task Force on Domestic Violence. The TFDV was commissioned by Congress to analyze the existing services for victims of domestic abuse within the military and make policy recommendations to enhance and improve these series. Based upon interviews with victims of domestic abuse in the military, the task force identified some specific barriers to reporting domestic abuse and accessing services, which included a fear of loss of privacy and the potential impact on a family member's military career. In addition, they recommended the establishment of a DOD-wide Victim Advocacy program to provide crisis response and safety planning, to build liaisons with command, law enforcement, legal services and other first responders and to provide ongoing coordinated case management services.
To implement TFDV's recommendations, the DOD issued a Directive-Type Memorandum on Feb.17, 2005 establishing the DAVA Program as the 24/7 response program for victims of domestic abuse. If the victim desired the assistance of an advocate, services would be provided immediately in person or telephonically to victims.
"This new service is an enhancement to ensure we [Family Advocacy] provide the best, wrap-around services to individuals and families experiencing challenges," said Ruth Sunde, 92nd MDOS Family Advocacy outreach manager. "This type of service is certainly something that is offered in the local community; however, trying to navigate through and around the military culture is something in which a downtown agency may not have a lot of experience. This service will be impactful for not only the victims in a domestic violence situation, but can also be a huge resource for commanders and first sergeants as well. Since part of the service is safety planning, it will be another layer of protection for families."
Standridge feels strongly about helping victims of domestic violence when necessary.
"My hope for this program is that every victim is given the opportunity to understand what options are available to them and victims feel a sense of relief because they have someone advocating for them," she said. "Through education, I hope to challenge some myths about domestic violence and how it's viewed within the military."
There is a DAVA crisis line that can be called at any time someone is in a crisis situation.
The number is 509-481-9025. During normal business hours, call 247-2687 and ask to speak with the DAVA.
Myths & Facts
Myth: The victim must have done something to provoke the violence.
Fact: No one deserves or asks to be beaten, battered, or threatened in any way by violence. Victims do not cause their partners to be emotionally or physically abusive. The batterer chooses to abuse.
Myth: Most domestic violence incidents are caused by alcohol or drug abuse.
Fact: Abusers may blame their violent behavior on alcohol or drugs, but abusive behavior is a choice and domestic violence is not caused by alcohol and drugs. The use of alcohol or drugs may increase the severity of the violence but are not the cause.
Myth: Most batterers simply lose control during violent incidents and don't know what they are doing.
Fact: In fact, many batterers do "control" their violence, abusing their victims in less visible places on their bodies, such as under the hairline or on the torso. Furthermore, domestic violence often occurs in cycles, and every episode is preceded by a predictable, repeated pattern of behavior and decisions made by the batterer. The batterer uses acts of violence and intimidation to coerce and control the victim.
The DAVA provides a private and confidential service to encourage victims in seeking assistance. These services must be available 24/7 through either personal or telephonic contact and include immediate and on-going information, referral, assistance, safety planning and support services.
"This program will be very helpful in creating a feeling of hope for victims," said Cory Standridge, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy representative. "My role is to assist victims [confidentially] at a very crucial and difficult time in their lives. I provide support, encouragement, resources, safety planning and aid in navigating both the military and criminal justice systems.
The victim is the focus with this program.
"This service is very important in a victim's ability to effectively cope with the vast array of emotions they are feeling," Standridge said. "Having someone who is available around the clock and supportive of the victim's decisions is an intrinsic part of my role. Helping the victim by removing barriers and empowering them to make positive decisions enables the victims to feel as if they have control of their own life - that is why this program is so wonderful."
In 2000, the problem of domestic abuse in the military was analyzed and researched by the Task Force on Domestic Violence. The TFDV was commissioned by Congress to analyze the existing services for victims of domestic abuse within the military and make policy recommendations to enhance and improve these series. Based upon interviews with victims of domestic abuse in the military, the task force identified some specific barriers to reporting domestic abuse and accessing services, which included a fear of loss of privacy and the potential impact on a family member's military career. In addition, they recommended the establishment of a DOD-wide Victim Advocacy program to provide crisis response and safety planning, to build liaisons with command, law enforcement, legal services and other first responders and to provide ongoing coordinated case management services.
To implement TFDV's recommendations, the DOD issued a Directive-Type Memorandum on Feb.17, 2005 establishing the DAVA Program as the 24/7 response program for victims of domestic abuse. If the victim desired the assistance of an advocate, services would be provided immediately in person or telephonically to victims.
"This new service is an enhancement to ensure we [Family Advocacy] provide the best, wrap-around services to individuals and families experiencing challenges," said Ruth Sunde, 92nd MDOS Family Advocacy outreach manager. "This type of service is certainly something that is offered in the local community; however, trying to navigate through and around the military culture is something in which a downtown agency may not have a lot of experience. This service will be impactful for not only the victims in a domestic violence situation, but can also be a huge resource for commanders and first sergeants as well. Since part of the service is safety planning, it will be another layer of protection for families."
Standridge feels strongly about helping victims of domestic violence when necessary.
"My hope for this program is that every victim is given the opportunity to understand what options are available to them and victims feel a sense of relief because they have someone advocating for them," she said. "Through education, I hope to challenge some myths about domestic violence and how it's viewed within the military."
There is a DAVA crisis line that can be called at any time someone is in a crisis situation.
The number is 509-481-9025. During normal business hours, call 247-2687 and ask to speak with the DAVA.
Myths & Facts
Myth: The victim must have done something to provoke the violence.
Fact: No one deserves or asks to be beaten, battered, or threatened in any way by violence. Victims do not cause their partners to be emotionally or physically abusive. The batterer chooses to abuse.
Myth: Most domestic violence incidents are caused by alcohol or drug abuse.
Fact: Abusers may blame their violent behavior on alcohol or drugs, but abusive behavior is a choice and domestic violence is not caused by alcohol and drugs. The use of alcohol or drugs may increase the severity of the violence but are not the cause.
Myth: Most batterers simply lose control during violent incidents and don't know what they are doing.
Fact: In fact, many batterers do "control" their violence, abusing their victims in less visible places on their bodies, such as under the hairline or on the torso. Furthermore, domestic violence often occurs in cycles, and every episode is preceded by a predictable, repeated pattern of behavior and decisions made by the batterer. The batterer uses acts of violence and intimidation to coerce and control the victim.
