Fort Benning Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR)

A pattern of behavior resulting in emotional/psychological abuse, economic control, and/or interference with personal liberty that is directed toward a person of the opposite sex. Spouse or partner abuse can include something as obvious as a slap or a hit, but also includes less noticeable controlling, threatening or emotionally abusive behaviors. No one needs to stay in a relationship where they are being physically or emotionally abused by their partner or spouse.

The Family Advocacy Program can give great tips and information on how to help a friend. Please consider referring a friend to professional help by asking them to contact the Family Advocacy Program or contact Social Work Service. Do not attempt to "take care of things" yourself. Domestic Violence can be a very complex and potentially dangerous issue.

The military is committed to finding ways for victims of abuse to get the best, most private help possible. In many cases an abused partner can receive completely private help depending upon how severe the situation is, if they first contact either a victim advocate, or a health care provider at one of the on-post clinics or Martin Army Community Hospital . In cases where there is an obvious danger of imminent threat of harm or the presence of child abuse, a care provider may have to notify others to ensure the safety of all persons involved in an abusive situation. Anyone needing information or help for partner or spouse abuse, who is worried about being reported or about their privacy, should still call someone. Victims can ensure their privacy by not giving their name until they feel completely informed about the best options they have for getting help. Contact a Victim Advocate at (706)545-7594 or 626-2614 M - F 8am thru 4:30pm to find out more about victim privacy.

Many spouses would like to find help for their abusive partner and many abusive partners may welcome this support. There are many counseling options and support groups in the community. Personnel at any of the listed numbers can provide information on help available. If a partner is being physically abusive, marriage or couples counseling is often not a good choice, but there are many other very good options for help.

Commanders and other leaders are required to report Family violence, to seek help for all parties involved and to help ensure safety to the fullest extent possible. Commanders and the Military or local police can provide a great deal of effective help, including documenting the abuse, arresting the offender, helping with securing a military or civilian no-contact/protective order to ensure the victim is safe, helping to find legal assistance and ordering an offender/Soldier to treatment. Although commanders and leaders are concerned about the safety of Families in their units and cannot fully ensure this safety unless they know about abuse, they also understand that many victims will never come forward unless they are provided an option to keep their situation completely private.

Children usually know something is not right, even if they haven't been in the room during a Family violence incident and may show different reactions according to their age. Most offenders have learned their behavior from growing up in an abusive home of their own. Younger children may exhibit self-blame that can precipitate feelings of guilt, worry, and anxiety. Children may become withdrawn, non-verbal, and exhibit regressed behaviors such as clinging and whining. Eating and sleeping difficulty, concentration problems, generalized anxiety, and physical complaints (e.g., headaches) may also occur. If you would like to find out more information, please contact any of the listed numbers on this page.

• Contact (24 hour hotline): (706)-327-3999
• Family Advocacy Program: (706) 545-7594/626-2614
• Martin Army Community Hospital Emergency Room: (706) 544-1123
• Social Work Service: (706) 545-1661/3308
• Chaplain's Family Life Center: (706) 545-1760
• Military Police: (706) 545-5222

• Restricted - Allows victims the option of receiving medical treatment, advocacy, and counseling without triggering the official investigative process or command involvement.
• Unrestricted - Victims receive medical treatment, advocacy, counseling and an official investigation of their allegation. This option ensures the widest range of rights and protections to the victim.

There is a shelter available in the community for female victims of abuse and their children where they can receive private, effective information on how to heal their relationship or escape, depending on the victim's desires. For victims who may be scared that their Family will lose their source of income if a Soldier is kicked out of the Army or put in prison or jail for spouse abuse, the military has programs that may continue to support victims in these cases. Spouse Abuse Shelters: The FAP contracts with the Crisis Center of Russell County and Columbus Hope Harbour to provide a 24-hour residential facility or temporary accommodation to ensure there is a safe, temporary place to stay, with emotional and material support to victims of spouse abuse and their children. The shelters also offer counseling, transportation, and community services, including legal, medical, and financial help to spouses. Individuals may contact the shelters directly - Phenix City, (334) 297-4401 or Columbus, (706) 324-3850 - for placement.

If you suspect that a child is being neglected or abused contact..

• Social Work Service: (706) 545-1661/3308
• Department of Family and Children Services (Muscogee County): (706) 649-7549
• Department of Family and Children Services (Chattahoochee County): (706) 989-3281
• Provost Marshal Office: (706) 545-5222

The FAP Manager provides immediate intervention to Family members on the resolution of an immediate child abuse/neglect or spouse abuse problem, protecting the victim and preventing further maltreatment through the use of community, medical, and legal resources. CONTACT (24 hour hotline) serves the tri-community - (706) 327-3999.

Strengthening and stabilizing intimate relationships is one approach to preventing marital distress and spouse abuse. The goals of spouse abuse prevention programs are to enhance and sustain communications, decision making and conflict resolution skills and to clarify perceptions within the relationship. Prevention strategies may include educational programs and interactive workshops on couple's communications, conflict resolution, assertiveness training, stress management and marital enrichment classes, as well as programs for children who witness violence. Programs for single Soldiers and adolescents should teach similar topics such as relationship skills, dating, violence awareness and sexual harassment.

Commanders at all levels will receive a desk side briefing within 45 days of assuming command on the FAP and Sexual Assault Program. Information will be provided on FAP policies, procedures, and available resources, command responsibilities in the areas of identification, reporting, coordination, rehabilitation, and administrative or judicial options.

Classes are mandatory and are provided on an annual basis for all military personnel, on the dynamics of spouse and child abuse, the availability of treatment services, and the Army's policies regarding Family violence.

The FAP provides funding for all Fort Benning professionals who work with Families and children. The FAP Manager sponsors a biennial conference for the tri-community area on spouse/child abuse, teen violence, and other issues relating to Family violence.

The Victim Advocacy Program provides comprehensive assistance and support to victims of spouse abuse, including crisis intervention, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and proceedings, and referral to military and civilian shelters and other resources. The Victim Advocate will ensure victims are properly advised of their options for restricted and unrestricted reporting.

There are two target groups for safety education. The first target group is composed of parents, teachers, caregivers, and all concerned adults in the community. This audience needs information about how to protect children and how to listen and talk with children about child abuse prevention. The second target group is children and teens. Children need to have programs and activities geared to their ability to understand and act on safety and exploitation issues including child abuse. Education programs should help children develop skills to protect themselves against abuse. These programs may include other community efforts such as finger printing and neighborhood safe house programs.

This is education focusing on enrichment programs that provide knowledge, social relationship skills, and support throughout the Family life cycle. The goal is to improve life management and Family coping skills, enhance self-esteem, and improve communication skills and marital relationships. Note: Family life education overlaps with spouse and child abuse prevention programming and is often shared with the chapel and other installation agencies.

This program involves education that is designed to enhance parenting and child management skills. Parent education and support groups may be combined to provide a forum for parents to exchange ideas, information, and resources and to practice new behaviors. The program also may reinforce or teach basic skills in physical care, protection, supervision, and psychological nurturing appropriate to a child's age and stage of development.

Respite care is temporary child care for the purpose of relieving parental stress and to provide a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment. Families may receive respite care when both Soldier and spouse attend parenting classes, counseling, support groups, or are experiencing stress from deployment related or Family issues. Respite care will not be used in place of foster care or abandoned children. (706) 545-7594/626-2614

A primary prevention program that provides emotional support, parenting education, referrals to community resources, and follow-up contact to parents with newborns. The program activities include screenings, information and referral, clinic and hospital visits, respite support, and other concrete services as needed. For additional information, contact the First Steps Coordinator at (706) 544-2020.

The NPSP staff consists of licensed social workers and registered nurses who provide in-home parenting education, support, and resource linkage. Primary prevention (NPSP-Standard) targets all Families with children 3 years of age and younger. Priority will be given to first-time or single parents and dual military Families. Program entry may occur by self-referral or through a referral by a health professional or the Command. The program activities include screenings; information and referral; clinic and hospital visits; classes and childcare; support groups; respite support or other concrete services as needed; and play mornings. The duration of this phase of the program is 3 to 6 months. Secondary prevention (NPSP-Plus) targets parents at moderate to high risk. Program entry may occur by self referral or a referral by FAP, a health professional, or the command. Activities for this category includes: standardized risk assessment; periodic assessment during service delivery; intensive and comprehensive home visiting; provision of health and child development services; intensive role modeling and mentoring to change skills, respite support, and other concrete services as needed; and parent classes, play mornings, and groups.

You don't have to be a NEW parent to participate in the program. Army Families that are pregnant or with children through the age of three years are eligible for NPSP services. Family Advocacy offers classes to parents with children of all ages. If you already have children who would require childcare for you to attend one of these classes, we offer free childcare for them! Sign up two weeks prior to the class.

• Home Visitation: Our professional staff provides supportive and caring services to military Families that are pregnant, or with children through the age of three years. They can talk about your concerns as a parent or parent-to-be, and help you learn to cope with stress, isolation, post deployment reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood in the privacy of your home. To schedule a home visit, call (706) 545-9358 or 626-2699.
• Play Morning: An interactive playgroup to assist parents in learning developmentally appropriate play techniques and to help children improve their social, cognitive, and motor skills. Structured activities include singing and dancing, story time, a craft project, and free play time. We meet the first and third Thursday of each month from 1100 to 1230, Building 9806. No registration required, but must provide children's immunization record(s). Please call (706) 545-9358 or 626-2699.
• Expectant Parents Classes: These classes are very important to get your pregnancy off to a good start. You will learn valuable information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle including exercise, proper nutrition, rest, things to avoid during your pregnancy, and other valuable resources available to you. We will also discuss what occurs during your prenatal visits and what various pregnancy tests mean. Sign up as soon as you know you are pregnant, so we can support you through the early physical and emotional changes. The classes are held the first Tuesdays of the month, in the Baugh Conference Room at Martin Army Community Hospital. Please call (706) 545-4041.
• Foster Care: A voluntary or court-mandated program for abused/neglected children that provides 24-hour care and supportive services in a Family home or group facility for children who cannot be cared for by their own Families and need substitute care. The Ft. Benning Family Advocacy Program has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Family and Children Services to provide Foster Care. Families interested in becoming Foster Care parents may contact their local Department of Family and Children Services.

The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator provides mandatory training classes to Soldiers, commanders, unit victim advocates, and deployable SARCS. The SARC and/or Sexual Assault Victim Advocate are on call 24/7 (706) 566-7393 to ensure victims are properly advised of their options for restricted and unrestricted reporting. The restricted option ensures that the victim is taken to a health care provider in lieu of reporting to law enforcement or command. The unrestricted option allows the SARC to immediately notify law enforcement. The SARC ensures leaders understand their roles and responsibilities when they are informed of a sexual assault. (706) 545-8740/7594.

SAPRP provides crisis intervention and support services to victims of sexual assault, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Trained and professional victim advocates provide a helping hand through support, critical information, and referrals for service on Fort Benning and in the community. Advocates assist survivors in determining what they wish to do and where to get help, whether they choose to report the assault or not. They accompany survivors to medical visits, court proceedings, and other appointments as requested. The SAPRP also provides education and awareness trainings to active duty members, Family Members, and military civilian, military contract personnel on how to stay safe and what to do if assaulted. Unit level trainings requirements from AR-600-20.

Sexual Assault is a crime. Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Consent should not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance. Additionally, consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious. Sexual assault includes rape, nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault (e.g., unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or attempts to commits these acts. Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender, spousal relationship, or age of victim.

Get to a safe location away from the attacker. Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. Do not wash, comb, or clean any part of your body, eat, drink or change clothes if possible. Contact a Victim Advocate (VA), health care provider, chaplain or the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC).

The Army currently affords Soldier victims of sexual assault with two reporting options:

• Restricted Reporting allows a Soldier who is a sexual assault victim on a confidential basis, to disclose the details of his/her assault to specifically identified individuals and receive medical treatment and counseling, without triggering an official investigative process. Soldiers who are sexually assaulted and desire restricted reporting under this policy should report the assault to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Victim Advocate, Chaplain or a healthcare provider. Military leaders must report sexual assaults to law enforcement.
• Unrestricted Reporting allows a victim who is sexually assaulted and desires medical treatment, counseling, and an official investigation of the allegation to use all current reporting channels.

Restricted reporting is available at this time only to military personnel of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard. Military personnel include members on active duty and members of the Reserve component (Reserve and National Guard) provided they are performing federal duty (active duty training or inactive duty training and members of the National Guard in Federal (Title 10) status).

• Travel with a buddy.
• Stay in groups, as there is safety in numbers.
• Never leave a drink unattended. Educate yourself about date rape drugs.
• Stay sober. Studies indicate that about half of all U.S. sexual assaults involve alcohol by the offender, the victim or both.
• Trust your instincts - if a place or person feels unsafe, it probably is.
• Be assertive meaning state what you want clearly, remember, NO means NO. If you do not want to be intimate with someone tell him or her clearly. Use a confident voice and body posture. Enroll in a self defense class.

• Victim Advocate/SARC Hotline: 706-566-7393
• Martin Army Community Hospital: (706) 544-1123
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
• Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
• Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
• Military One Source