Domestic violence: Beyond the silence

  • Published
  • By Ms. Christina Cannon
  • 1st Special Operations Wing
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  

According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2-in-5 women and 1-in-4 men in the U.S. experience domestic violence or intimate partner violence during their lifetime. Annually, nearly 16 million people are adversely affected by domestic violence. It is estimated that 32 individuals experience domestic violence each minute in the U.S.

Domestic violence occurs in various forms, including but not limited to physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, stalking, sexual abuse, economic abuse, and neglect toward a current or former spouse, intimate partner, child, or an elderly or disabled adult. The consequences of domestic violence can be profoundly life changing, resulting in short- and long-term physical and mental health conditions. Domestic violence can also result in death.

The CDC estimates that intimate partner violence results in 1,200 deaths and two million injuries among women and nearly 600,000 injuries among men each year. Approximately 10% of children are exposed to domestic violence annually, and 25% are exposed to at least one event during their childhood. As evidenced by validated research studies, domestic violence occurs within many of our communities; it is a pervasive public health issue.

Domestic violence is often referred to as a concealed epidemic due to underreporting by victims who fear breaking the silence. Fortunately, domestic violence is preventable, especially when engaged individuals and committed communities take a united stand by identifying and reporting this crime to the appropriate local authorities, like law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families Services.

The Hurlburt Field Family Advocacy Program team is ready to provide professional support and clinical intervention services to active-duty military personnel and their family members to enhance their quality of life. The Hurlburt FAP continuum of services is designed to prevent and treat domestic abuse and child maltreatment, as well as promote individual, family, community and mission readiness. Specifically, FAP provides comprehensive clinical assessments, safety planning and risk management, command consultation, family violence education and skill development, supportive counseling to victims, treatment for suspected abusers, couples and family therapy and secondary prevention services to at-risk families.

The Hurlburt FAP also offers 24/7 crisis response services through a Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate, who can be reached after hours at (850) 296-0018. The DAVA provides nonclinical advocacy victim services, safety planning support, assistance with seeking medical treatment, and information about reporting options and national and local support services.

Hurlburt’s FAP is located at 130 Letourneau Circle, building #90311, directly behind the Youth Center. FAP’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and staff can be reached via phone at (850) 881-5061.

Additional resources include:

  • Florida's Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 500-1119
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 (SAFE) for 24/7 help in English, Spanish, and more than 140 other languages; chat live at www.thehotline.org
  • Shelter House of NWFL: (850) 863-4777
  • FavorHouse of NWFL, Inc.: (850) 434-6600
  • National Dating Abuse Helpline: (866) 331-9474
  • Domestic Abuse Resources | Military OneSource: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/preventing-violence-abuse/domestic-abuse/resources/

Everyone deserves to enjoy a life of peace, happiness, security, and safety. Let’s take a united stand against domestic violence!

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