Domestic Violence in Soldiers’ Families
Some are saying that the abuse culture fostered by the military - that violence may even be “necessary and honorable” - may contribute to a perceived widespread pattern of domestic violence in military families. There is no solid data comparing rate of domestic violence between military and civilian families.
The US Department of Defense reported 227 domestic homicides spanning a 6 year period between 1995 and 2001 where 5 of those murders occurred in 2002. The government admits that this problem needs to be addressed, and a task force was formed for this purpose. However, the track record of properly implementing on the task force recommendations - including disciplinary action when caught - appeared spotty at best.
Given the current state of war, there may be a link between deployment and the rate of domestic violence, making task force implemention more essential. Christine Hansen oversees the Miles Foundation that helps survivors of military personel related domestic abuse and observed that abuse incidences increase right before deployment for war, and then upon return from active duty.
What is hindering progress in domestic violence associated with military families was suggestetd to include social stigma of domestic violence (don’t want to talk about it) and feeling like military personnel could do no wrong.
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This is a tragic phenomenon, and the abuse that ensues in situations of this nature is even more tragic. It is a phenomenon I tried to depict in this original song:
Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones
words and music by Dr. BLT (c)2006
http://www.drblt.com/music/MRSJones.mp3
Hi Dr. BLT - thank you for the link! I listened to your song and enjoyed it. Thanks for increasing the awareness of this situation.