Domestic violence, wrong on all levels Published Oct. 4, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- "Domestic violence cuts across every line of geography and income. Abuse is found in every community in our country -- every community -- and it must be fought in every community," - George W. Bush, president of the United States of America. It is for this reason leaders of Nellis and Creech Air Force bases have declared October Domestic Violence Prevention Month in a proclamation signing that took place at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center here Sept. 25. Domestic violence is any abusive situation between a couple or a person and their spouse or children. The types of violence range from verbal and emotional to physical and sexual. It usually begins with verbal and emotional attacks, and often escalates. "Domestic violence is a problem in all walks of life, and in the Air Force, there is zero tolerance for this type of inexcusable behavior," said James Bertolini, Family Advocacy outreach manager. The best way to battle domestic violence is to prevent it, Mr. Bertolini continued. Nellis offers programs and classes focused on fixing problems between family members or couples in order to prevent problems from escalating to maltreatment and violence. Stress management, couples communication and anger management classes are a few of the courses that family advocacy offers. Despite these classes, most aren't always taken advantage of. "I believe there is a kind of stigma attached to family advocacy," Mr. Bertolini said. "These classes are completely confidential and we try to make it easy. We hold the classes at the chapel annex and offer free child care to make it as easy on the couple as possible." To ensure confidentiality, the prevention services offered by family advocacy are not documented. Family advocacy has many courses of action in place to aid victims. "Nine times out of 10 we will remove the perpetrator from the household , but if the case is severe, we can put the victim in contact with Safenest," Mr. Bertolini continued. Safenest is a community facility that removes the spouse and children from the environment so they can start their life anew. Family advocacy also offers clinical, psychiatric and medical services to the victims and their children. If uninvolved individuals think they see a problem with domestic violence, they should contact local authorities or family advocacy. Family advocacy is doing its part to educate the base population and spread awareness of domestic violence. In memory of those lost to domestic violence, family advocacy will be handing out purple ribbons outside of the Nellis Base Exchange. There will also be a Silent Witness display in the hospital, depicting victims of domestic violence with names, ages, and stories displayed. Family advocacy is available at 653-3866 for couples seeking counseling. If uninvolved individuals think they see a problem with domestic violence, they should contact local authorities or family advocacy.
