America's Health Responders - U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSIONED CORPS
Commissioned Corps E-Bulletin
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Legislation passed every year since, serves to bring national attention to this important public health issue. On October 1, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation proclaiming October 2010 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This observance presents a unique opportunity for all members of the Commissioned Corps of the U. S. Public Health Service (Corps) to rededicate themselves to breaking the cycle of violence.

The World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, concluded that domestic violence is an urgent public health policy issue and human rights concern. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop raised the United State’s awareness that domestic violence is a public health problem. As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) joined forces with the Department of Justice to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and provide support services to victims of domestic abuse.

Another paramount success in domestic violence awareness and prevention is the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA). The VAWA initiative launched the 24-hour toll-free National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) and the TDD number for hearing-impaired (1-800-787-3224) available to all suffering from domestic violence.

HHS is at the leading edge in providing education and information in an effort to reduce the incidence of domestic violence. According to a 2003 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Cost of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States), the costs of intimate partner violence at that time exceeded $5.8 billion each year and nearly one-third of female homicide victims reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner. Domestic violence continues to cause great pain and suffering to women, men, and children regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or economic background.

According to information published by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV Domestic Violence Facts) found at: http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet (national).pdf
  • One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime;
  • An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year;
  • 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women;
  • Less than one-fifth of victims reporting an injury from intimate partner violence sought medical treatment following the injury;
  • 30 percent to 60 percent of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household;
  • Cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services; and
  • Domestic violence is one of the most chronically under-reported crimes.
The goal of the Corps is to prevent domestic violence before it happens, and to provide intervention and rehabilitation as necessary. The Corps seeks to reduce and prevent the incidence of domestic/family violence -- specifically spouse or partner abuse; child, sibling and/or parent abuse and neglect; and elder abuse and neglect. For information referencing the Corps’ domestic violence policy, please read http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM29_3_3.pdf. Although the number of reported incidents among Corps officers is relatively low, when it does occur, it not only affects the health and well-being of officers and their family members, but also compromises the mission of the Corps.

Active duty officers, retired officers, and/or family members concerned with this issue are encouraged to seek early assistance through the Uniformed Services’ Family Advocacy Program, or through the civilian sector if outside the catchments area of a Military Treatment Facility. Additional information on the Family Advocacy Program is found at http://www.dod.mil/fapmip/. Officers may also obtain assistance by calling the Medical Affairs Branch at 1-800-368-2777. Please remember that domestic violence is a crime that can result in serious injury or death. If you face immediate danger of being abused, call 911.

Additional information on available programs and services may be found on the following Web sites:

Department of Health and Human Services http://www.dhhs.gov – under ‘Families-Safety’

Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) www.endabuse.org

Military HOMEFRONT www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
Return to current issue front page 
Health and Human Services Public Health, Commissioned Corps Public Health, Commissioned Corps

HHS, Office of Public Health and Science
Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management
Tower Building
1101 Wootton Parkway, Plaza Level Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20852