October Domestic Violence Prevention Month Published Oct. 9, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The Tinker Family Advocacy Center is acknowledging October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. What is domestic violence? Domestic violence is defined by law enforcement as "threatening, causing, or attempting to cause serious physical harm between family or household members." Domestic violence is an issue of power and control maintained by continuous violence and controlling behaviors. Domestic violence can include social isolation, emotional or physical abuse, economic control, threats, acts of dominance, intimidation, sexual abuse and use of the children to control. "Domestic violence victims are from every walk of life. However, there are some high-risk groups. Young females who are not married, females who abuse alcohol or other drugs, pregnant females, females who witnessed domestic abuse as a child or who were victims of child abuse, females who marry as teenagers and females who are pregnant before marriage are all at a higher risk for domestic abuse," said Selonda Moseley, Tinker domestic abuse advocate. Ms. Moseley also said that there are many reasons why a woman would remain in an abusive relationship. The primary factor is fear for her safety and/or that of her children. Economic dependence, responsibility for children and threats of injury can also be major factors in the decision to stay. Low self-esteem, social, religious, cultural expectations and love are also possible factors which may hinder a woman from leaving an abusive relationship. A more appropriate question may be "Why does he abuse her?" "Typically a batterer is someone who has a need for power and control. He/she may perceive that violence is a way to gain control over their partner. A person who batters maybe someone who has many times learned this behavior within their environment," said 1st Lt. Michelle Gramling, Family Advocacy Program chief. "Although a batterer makes a choice to abuse their victim; stress, mental illness or substance abuse are some things that may contribute. Often in the batterer's life, things are out of control and therefore he/she may attempt to exert more control over others." Abusers, as well as those who are abused, span all age groups, cultures, economic and education levels and religions. Abusers and the abused also tend to come from homes where domestic and/or child abuse took place. Abusers usually blame others for their problems. Along with adhering to strict sex stereotypes, abusers may also use sex as an act of aggression to gain control. Adding to domestic violence, abusers alternate between periods of abuse and periods of tenderness and affection. These periods are often separated by a tension-building period. In 1984, Department of Defense Directive 6400.1 established the Family Advocacy Program to address family violence in military families. The FAP consists of coordinated efforts designed to prevent, identify, report and treat all aspects of child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse. The vision of Tinker's program is to prevent abuse before it occurs, by helping grow healthy families and healthy relationships. "Services help strengthen family relationships by helping create good communication skills which benefit the safety and welfare of all members. There are a multitude of services available on base and in the community such as marital counseling, anger and stress management, and parenting classes," said Lieutenant Gramling. The harsh reality and statistics of domestic violence and sexual assault include the following: (According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's 2006-7 Uniformed Crime Reports) Just over 24,100 domestic violence cases were reported to Oklahoma law enforcement agencies in 2006, resulting in: 47 homicides 3,636 felony assaults 733 violent sex crimes 19,690 felony assault and battery (Only 50 percent of intimate violence incidents are reported to law enforcement.) - Domestic abuse reports increased 4.4 percent between 1997 and 2006 in Oklahoma - Domestic violence agencies saved 17,212 lives in fiscal 2007. - Oklahoma currently ranks 10th nationally in the number of females murdered by their intimate spouse. "Domestic violence is unacceptable and no one should have to endure it. It is not congruent with the Air Force values," said Lieutenant Gramling. Here at Tinker AFB, the Family Advocacy Program provides treatment options for victims and abusers. Licensed clinical social workers can offer counseling, groups, support and encouragement. In an emergency situation victims should call 911. For non-emergency assistance, or to report family maltreatment, call 734-4390. To speak to the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate, available between the hours of noon to 4 p.m. weekdays, call 706-2158. After duty hours, the on-call victim advocate can be reached at 706-2210.