Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Marine and Family Services provides education and counseling services and workshops to individuals and families seeking self-improvement.  We also work together with other community services in an effort to strengthen Marine families and provide appropriate referral services when needed.

One component of MCCS Marine and Family Services is the Counseling and Advocacy Program.  The program has highly-qualified, licensed clinical staff, which are trained in family violence and are available to provide counseling services at your request.  Counselors are available to respond quickly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help individuals and families who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. MCLB Albany Installation Sexual Assault Response Team

Family Advocacy professionals are also available to assist commanders and other leaders with various trainings, briefings, and workshops to aid in the early detection of stressors so they can be resolved before they become personal or family problems.

WHAT IS RELATIONSHIP ABUSE? 

Everyone has experienced tension in their relationships.  Relationship abuse is not a disagreement, an anger management problem or a relationship “with ups and downs.” 

Relationship abuse, or domestic violence, is a pattern of violent behaviors that adults use against their intimate partner.  Abuse can cause injury or even death, but it doesn’t have to be physical.  Domestic violence also includes sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, as well as economic control over another person.

Relationship abuse can happened to anyone of any race, age, religion, or gender.  It can happen to couples who are married living together or just dating.  It affects people of all educational backgrounds and income levels.  The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that more than 90 percent of all victims of domestic violence are women and most perpetrators are men.  Because of this, this brochure uses “she” when referring to victims and “he” when referring to abusers.

Ten Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship

What do you do if you think your friend or family member is in an abusive relationship, but you’re not sure?  Go with your instincts - you probably wouldn’t be concerned without reason.  Here are some signs to look for that might indicate an abusive relationship:

1.  When your friend and her husband or boyfriend are together, he acts very controlling and puts her down in front of others.

2.  He acts extremely jealous of others who pay attention to her, especially men.

3.  She becomes quiet when he is around and seems afraid of making him angry.

4.  She stops seeing friends and family members, becoming more and more isolated.

5.  She often cancels plans at the last minute.

6.  He controls her finances, her behavior and even whom she socializes with.

7.  You see him violently lose his temper, striking or breaking objects.

8.  She often has unexplained injuries, or the explanations she offers don’t quite add up.  (Sometimes you won’t see any bruises, as batters target their blows to areas that can be covered with clothing.)

9.  She casually mentioned his violent behavior but laughed it off as a joke.

10.  Her child is frequently upset or very quiet and withdrawn and won’t say why.

FINDING HELP

The Victim Assistance Program here at MCLB Albany helps victims of domestic violence in many ways. The victim advocate, when requested by PMO or a victim, will respond to incidents of domestic violence 24/7, but may also be contacted during working hours by anyone with any questions or concerns.

A Victim Advocate can provide the following services:

• Emotional support

• Information and referrals to other services

• Crisis intervention

• Accompaniment to medical, legal, law enforcement and FAP assessment interviews

• Help developing safety plans

• Help obtaining protective orders

• Assistance with victim impact statements

• Information to victims on all decisions and actions taken on cases involving them

• Act as a voice for the victim to the Case Review Committee

• Educate spouses on their rights and what assistance is available

• Educate and advise service providers, agencies and the public about the dynamics of interpersonal violence

• Work to change the system’s response to one that ensures protection for the victim  

• MCLB Victim Assistance (229) 639-5252

• Victim-Witness DA’s Office (229) 438-3985
• Liberty House (229) 439-7065
• Georgia Legal Services (229) 431-4261

Governor’s Victim Assistance Help Line (800) 338-6745