Breaking cycle with domestic violence awareness

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brooke Brzozowske
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Statistics show that without intervention the abuse does not stop, said James Mauriello, 90th Missile Wing Victim and Witness Assistance Coordinator. 

"The Staff Judge Advocate and his team become involved with instances of domestic violence as early as possible," he added. 

The on-call JAG normally receives notifications from law enforcement following every response to a domestic violence call, he said. Otherwise, the team is notified via security forces notification and reports, first sergeants and commanders or occasional walk-ins. 

"The majority of domestic violence cases fall under Article 128, Assault," Mr. Mauriello said. "Depending on the severity of the assault, the age of the victim or other offenses committed, a person could be imprisoned from 3 months to 10 years, forfeit all pay and allowances and receive a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge," he said. 

"One of the biggest issues involving domestic crime victims is their inability to detach themselves from the suspect," Mr. Mauriello said. Victims can feel guilty, thinking they caused it. For many reasons, the victim will not leave the perpetrator and break the cycle. 

Often, victims simply choose not to become involved in the justice system and decline to take measures to prosecute offenders, he said. 

"Some victims just want to get on with their lives and are tired of reliving the heartache," he said. "Others don't trust the system and some don't understand it." 

Victims, however, are provided certain rights to medical, social and sometimes financial services under the installation victim-witness assistance program, he said. 

The VWAP encompasses numerous on- and off-base services available to victims in an effort to help minimize the physical, emotional or financial harm as a result of a crime, Mr. Mauriello said. 

The VWAP uses victim's advocates as a resource of aid, he said. A victim's advocate is a person trained to provide various support and assistance to victims. They are assigned to be the central contact for the victim and help identify various services agencies in order to help the victim's healing process. 

Advocates and liaisons alike help meet the emotional, physical and financial needs of victims. They do this by ensuring victims are informed of their rights, receive the necessary services from on- or off-base providers and understand the military justice system as it pertains to them. 

While victim's advocates offer great services after-the-fact, stopping domestic violence before it begins is paramount. 

"This is the best time to help someone ... before domestic issues become violent," he said. "Bottom-line for these folks are to provide support and understanding and let them know there are agencies available to help them through these tough times." 

"Take action now to protect yourself and your loved ones by reporting the abuse," he said. "Use agencies available to help you. Call law enforcement, the first sergeants, family advocacy or the legal office. 

"Don't wait for violence to escalate," Mr. Mauriello said.