Military Families and Domestic Violence is Increasing,

“In America, it is reported by some sources that there were more domestic violence related murders in the home than the 58,000 American’s killed in the entire Vietnam War. We are in a state of domestic war; the battlefield is in the home”. Sara Niles, Torn from the Inside Out

As we come to the close of October it is a good time to remember those individuals impacted by Domestic Violence, as October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

It is easy to forget with isolated reports of home violence the casualties of war on the home front, as Domestic Violence is war fare tactics at the base level where individuals should feel their safest, within their own homes. It is comprised of physical abuse, mental abuse, brain washing techniques, financial control, sexual abuse including rape, use of the children as control over the identified parental victim, religious abuse (use of religion to control another’s actions) and a breaking down of the fundamental core of the individuals within the home.

For the children growing up watching these terrorizing actions by their parents, they develop an overwhelming sense of anger and helplessness that pervades their life and changes the individual they become, with impact on their relationships, grades, trust and learned behavior of how to treat people you “love”. The increase in alcohol and drug use and/or self- mutilation to control the pain expands exponentially and can impact that child’s view of their own sexual preferences and view of both genders for future choices of sexual partners.

Suicide is a high risk for the children and the adult victims as it may be viewed as the only escape from the hell of home. Murder – Suicide is a risk with those perpetrators that believe they have ownership over their family and will not allow them to leave, preferring to kill their family and then themselves rather than allow their family the freedom to live without their control.

“More military families’ members are killed by their veteran on the home front than troops killed in action on the war front. Combat veterans are responsible for almost 21 percent of domestic violence nationwide and account for 20% of U.S. Suicides – all related to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. “

Frequency of domestic violence calls from people affiliated with the military from 2006 – 2011 rose more than 250 percent.

Number of Fort Carson, Colorado soldiers charged with domestic violence between 2006 and 2009 rose more than 250 percent.

All of this comes as a reminder; we are at war on the home front as much as or more so than on foreign soils. Within the homes you pass each day there are families being torn apart by this epidemic, yet the resources and attention being given to it are far from the equal to the attention being given to what some celebrity is wearing on the red carpet. People are more aware of the statistics for their favorite sports team than what is happening on their block with the number of people impact by domestic violence.

This is not a random event and victims are not identifiable into a socio economic, religious, gender, race or other category. It crosses all boundaries and is occurring at the heart of our nation – in our homes.

If you are a victim of domestic/intimate partner violence, there is help for you and your children to break the cycle and move into a safe and healthy life, the first step is ask for help this problem is too big for you to handle on your own.

NEED HELP – call 1 -800-799-SAFE (7233) for the Domestic Violence Hotline or visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline operated by RAINN.

You may contact Sharon Davis, LCSW for a free 15 minute consult at 901-210-4969.