THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406120082
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: 940612 LENGTH: Medium
Some suggest better reporting may explain the higher number of spouse and child abuse incidents. Others say it's hard times and that the violence has spread through all of society.
{REST} To fight back, the Navy in recent years has widened the role of its Family Advocacy Program to offer services ranging from counseling to shelter at practically every installation in the world.
The goal is simple: reduce the abuse by preventing it from happening in the first place and hold those who do it accountable by law.
Sandra Rosswork, manager of the Family Advocacy Program for the Navy Bureau of Personnel, said the Navy recently has launched three initiatives to help make the assistance swift, coordinated and complete.
Beginning this summer, the program staff will train teams at each installation to handle all reports of abuse. The teams will be made up of doctors, lawyers, police and counselors.
A how-to book also is scheduled for distribution, with tips for counselors on how to run programs for both offenders and their victims.
In addition, the program will teach counselors how to handle children who may have witnessed abuse.
``Right now, working with kids who grow up in abusive families is thought to be one of the most hopeful of the preventive strategies for spouse abuse,'' Rosswork said.
Rosswork said people who find themselves in an abusive situation should contact the Navy Family Services Center at their base to find out what options are available, such as counseling or shelter.
Those who suspect a relative may be living in an abusive relationship should also make an inquiry, she said, though it's doubtful the problem will be solved easily.
``You can't always intervene in a way that's going to prevent people from being harmed,'' Rosswork said. ``That's one of the most frustrating things. Nobody, not the military, not the family member, can keep somebody from being harmed if you have a resolute abuser.
``I think that's very tough for all of us to come to grips with. We can help, but we can't guarantee safety.''
To reach the Navy's Family Advocacy Program, call Navy Family Services - 444-2102 at Norfolk Naval Base, 433-2912 at Oceana Naval Air Station and 464-7563 at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
{KEYWORDS} U.S. NAVY SPOUSAL ABUSE
by CNB