MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The Family Advocacy Program is rallying Marine Corps Base Hawaii against domestic violence with several community events in October to coincide with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The FAP staff provides help at the Counseling, Advocacy, Awareness and Relationship Enhancement Center in building 216. Victim advocates are available 24 hours a day by hotline for anyone who may suspect domestic abuse or is currently experiencing it.
“We’re here to provide support and treatment for victims of domestic violence,” said Natalie Bishop, the prevention and education specialist with the FAP. “Our services are for families, couples and individuals. We have anger management classes, couples counseling and the New Parent Support Program offers home visits.” Bishop said the events draw attention to the issue for a wide cross-section of people on base, starting with the inaugural Ohana Community Carnival Kickoff scheduled for Oct. 3, 2014.
The kickoff will have a tug of war for adults and information about the FAP services. Families are encouraged to attend as well, with games and craft tables for children. During October, the FAP will also be collecting old cellphones for a fundraising-recycling program. Ten dropoff boxes, including one at the Semper Fit Center, will be available. The proceeds of the cellphone drive will benefit a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic abuse.
“The important thing is getting some education out there and awareness about the situation,” said Callie Albin, who is organizing the drive and a victim advocate at the FAP. “Domestic violence can happen anywhere, but we’re here providing help, prevention and support.”
A total of 21 percent of violent victimizations from 2003 to 2012 were domestic violence, according to a recent report from the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. The report also noted current or former intimate partners made up 48 percent domestic abusers, but abuse can also occur with immediate family members or other relatives. Of those abused by an intimate partner, 76 percent were women and 24 percent were men.
Sharing her experiences with partner abuse, author Leslie Morgan Steiner will speak at both the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course Fairways Ballroom and at the MCB Hawaii Theater. Steiner wrote about the abusive relationship with her previous husband in her 2009 memoir, “Crazy Love” and regularly gives public talks about how she survived.
“She’s a very passionate speaker and catches your attention,” Bishop said. “She has a TED Talk about it and has a lot of experience going through it herself.”
Bishop said it’s common for abusers to isolate their victims, and it can be even more challenging in Hawaii since many MCB Hawaii personnel and residents are physically separated from people in their support system.
Recognizing domestic violence is also difficult because details are different in every case, Bishop said. “There are many forms of domestic violence,” she said. “It’s a complex topic, involving power dynamics in relationships.”
Bishop and Albin said they hoped the October events will expose more people to the issue and people will know who they can contact for assistance.
“The most important thing to know is victim advocates can help make a restricted report,” Albin said. “They are the first line of defense for a victim. The victim advocates can tell them about their options, and they are a good resource for people who have questions."
To reach a victim advocate at any time of day, call the confidential hotline at 216-7175. For more information about the FAP, see mccshawaii.com/ familyadvocacy/.