Domestic or family violence can include violence against a spouse, child, or any member of your family.
Abuse can be physical and sexual violence, threats or acts of intimidation, economic deprivation, or emotional/mental mistreatment.
About 33 million people, or 15% of the U.S. population, have said they have been victims of some form of domestic violence.
Domestic violence is never your fault. Talk with someone you trust to get help.
What are the different symptoms of domestic violence?
Domestic violence can be divided into five different categories.
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Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, punching, shoving, biting, or physically injuring a person. It can include someone preventing another person from taking needed medications or denial of medical care. It can also include forcing a person to use alcohol or drugs.
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Mental Abuse: Your partner or family member makes you feel afraid of physical harm or intimidates you to do things. Threatening or intimidation can include the destruction of property, controlling your friends, or displaying weapons.
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Emotional Abuse: Criticizing, embarrassing, ridiculing, or insulting another person.
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Sexual Abuse: Forcing you to have sex or perform sexual acts you do not want to.
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Economic Abuse: Controlling the amount of money you get, refusing to pay for child support, withholding money or credit cards, refusal to let someone work.
Domestic violence can also include stalking or human trafficking.
Is domestic violence different in the military?
Domestic violence still occurs at high rates in the military. According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the Army has consistently shown the highest rates of domestic violence when compared to the Marines, Navy, and Air Force.
Where can I go for support on Fort Drum if I think I might be a victim of domestic violence?
Fort Drum has the Family Advocacy Program through the Social Work Services section of the Fort Drum Behavioral Health Department. They can assist survivors in a variety of different ways. You can walk-in at building P-36 which is the former Wilcox Dental Building. Appointment lines are (315) 772-2778.
To report abuse call (315)772-4069 or the Military Police desk at (315)772-5156 (after duty hours). In case of emergency call 911.
Where can I go for support in Jefferson County if I think I might be a victim of domestic violence?
The Victims’ Assistance Center of Jefferson County offers a wide variety of supportive and advocacy programs for victims of domestic violence. They are locate at 120 Arcade Street in Watertown and can be reached at (315) 782-1823. They can offer you housing, advocacy, counseling, and meet you at a hospital if you need assistance. Victim advocates can also accompany law enforcement to calls of domestic violence.
The Department of Social Services is responsible for the Child Protective Services Program. They are located at 250 Arsenal Street in Watertown and their telephone number is (315) 785-3134.
Links for Information about Domestic Violence and the Military
Links for General Information about Domestic Violence
Family Violence Prevention Fund
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Womenshealth.gov: Domestic Violence
Source: Violence Against Women. National Women’s Health Information Center. www.4women.gov/domesticviolence