Domestic violence: a zero tolerance matter Published Oct. 13, 2010 By Suzi Stein Military Victim Advocate MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Air Force Global Strike Command's Minot AFB, along with the Department of Defense, continues to promote a zero tolerance for domestic violence. In partnership with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center and the North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services, the 5th Medical Group will present the Clothesline Project in the base clinic atrium during the month of October. The Clothesline Project is a display of T-shirts made by victims and survivors of domestic violence sharing their stories and the impact abuse has had on their lives. Domestic violence is incompatible with Air Force core values and it decreases a member's mission-readiness capability. It also adversely impacts unit mission because it prevents Airmen from being available for duty. While domestic violence is often-times perceived strictly as a physical form of abuse, this perception is inaccurate. Domestic violence encompasses several forms of abuse. The core of domestic violence is one person trying to take control over another using intimidation, threats, insults, put- downs, sexual assault, stalking, controlling money or bank accounts, isolation, and so forth. This can occur between couples who are married or unmarried, living together or separate, separated or divorced couples, and couples who are dating. In the U.S. and abroad, more than a million active duty members and their immediate family members serve in defense of the nation. Among this population are victims and survivors of domestic violence; women, men and children who are all living with the daily reality of mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Developing an in-depth understanding creates awareness and the ability to recognize the warning signs helps prevent and identify domestic violence. Verbal abuse can include yelling, screaming, belittling, criticizing, blaming and threatening. Emotional and psychological abuse includes giving the silent treatment, accusing a partner of having an affair, keeping the partner isolated, monitoring behaviors, manipulating, intimidating and inflicting fear. Financial and resource abuse includes withholding or controlling money, selling possessions without mutual approval, withholding child support, not providing food or clothing and destroying property. Physical abuse includes biting, slapping, kicking, choking, threatening with a weapon, dragging by hair, pushing and so forth. Sexual abuse can include any non-consensual sexual behavior, making constant sexual demands and forbidding birth control, to name a few. Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical. Emotional abuse is often minimized, yet it can leave deep and lasting scars. Although domestic violence impacts Airmen and families in the same ways it affects non-military members, there are specific characteristics of military life and its culture that can contribute to the vulnerability of military families, including economic dependence, family stresses related to deployment and reunification, isolation from family and friends due to frequent relocations, and exposure to combat. Many members engaged in domestic violence will say it doesn't impact their job. This is false. A domestic-violence incident impacts a member's work. Noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the previous warning signs and descriptions of abuse, don't hesitate to reach out. There is help available. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides many opportunities to create awareness about domestic violence, advocate for change and take a stand against domestic violence. Minot AFB's family advocacy office offers prevention and education for individuals and families who are dealing with domestic-violence issues. Strengthening and preserving families is a major goal of family advocacy. To assist in this, family advocacy offers therapeutic counseling, crisis intervention, anger-management classes, parenting classes, the new parent support program and domestic-violence victim advocacy services. Early intervention and prevention are key to breaking the cycle of domestic violence. Early intervention is essential to break the cycle of domestic violence. For more information, questions or concerns about domestic violence, contact Family Advocacy at 723-5096.