Military

[SOME INFORMATION IS SPECIFIC TO THE MARINES, BUT MOST OF IT APPLIES TO ALL BRANCHES.]

Informing Yourself. You have taken such an important step by informing yourself about domestic violence, and I hope that you continue to do so. Knowing the issues that surround domestic violence can help you understand your niece’s situation better and help you cope. As you learn more about what your niece is going through, you may find it helpful to read through these informational pages on domestic violence:

• Our information page on domestic violence - www.womenslaw.org/simple.php?sitemap_id=39
• National Network to End Domestic Violence - www.nnedv.org

These sources should provide you with an overview of the scope of domestic violence and the issues that victims face.

Isolation, Options & Resources. One of the most unfortunate side-effects of domestic violence is that victims often feel extremely isolated.

Making a safety plan is an important thing for victims of domestic violence to do to keep as safe as possible before, during, or after leaving their partners. For more information on how to do that, go here: www.womenslaw.org/simple.php?sitemap_id=3.

A local domestic violence organization may also be able to assist her with counseling, linking her up with resources in her community, and helping her find safe shelter. The important thing is that they can help her whether or not she is still living with the abuser. To find a domestic violence agency in her area, click here: [INSERT LINKS TO STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS PAGE].

Another option that you have is to give your niece the number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233). This might be especially useful since family members have limited contact with her - getting the toll-free number to her requires just a small slip of paper or a quick sentence on the phone. If you don’t have much time to explain resources to her, you might include something like “If you need help” or “I am worried about you. I am here for you. Call this number for help.” Sometimes, just hearing sincere words of concern and support are enough to make a victim of domestic violence open up to friends and family. Remind her that she is not alone!

If your niece decides that she would like help from the legal system, she can find information on getting a restraining order here: [INSERT LINK TO RESTRAINING ORDER PAGE]. If she is interested in obtaining a restraining order, let me know and I can help you understand the process more.

Military Base. You mentioned that your niece and her husband were living on a Marine base - is he still in the military? If he is, there are many additional resources that your niece may find useful:

WomensLaw.org - Our own military page includes an explanation of the differences between civilian and military law, military protective orders, the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), and additional resources. You can read it here: www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?statelaw_name=Military&state_code=US.

WomensLaw.org also has a list of resources dedicated to violence against women and the Military: www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1059

[THE FOLLOWING ARE MARINE SPECIFIC]

She might also find the following organizations helpful:

Family Advocacy Program - (Marines - all installations, USA and abroad)
The FAP is a command program designed to assist families experiencing the trauma of abuse. While they may be able to guide you through the assistance that the military may be able to provide for you, any conversations with the FAP will NOT be confidential and your niece’s abuser’s commanding officer WILL be notified if abuse is reported to FAP.
[THIS IS MARINE-SPECIFIC. OTHER BRANCHES WILL HAVE THEIR OWN LINKS. CHECK CHIPMARKS FOR OTHER BRANCHES]

• Family Advocacy Program home page: www.usmc-mccs.org/famadv/index.cfm. The FAP is a command program designed to assist families experiencing the trauma of abuse.
• Points of Contact: www.usmc-mccs.org/famadv/pocs.cfm - Every Marine Corps installation has a Counseling and Family Advocacy Program. A directory of with phone numbers and location on the base can be found on this page.
• FAQ: www.usmc-mccs.org/famadv/faqs.cfm - including “What is abuse”, what will happen if she reports, and resources
• Victim Advocate Contacts: www.usmc-mccs.org/victimadv/index.cfm - info on what victim advocates do, how they can help, and how to get into contact with one.

I have not worked directly with the Family Advocacy Programs, but it may be possible for you to call and ask “hypothetical” questions about your niece’s situation to see what the options are on her particular base. Contact information for the husband’s base can be found through the FAP links that I mentioned above.