Veterans and Family Violence
by Claire Grassick
Violent crime—and domestic violence in particular—among veterans is a growing problem. The situations our men and women in the armed forces experience during military conflict can trigger mental distress that gives rise to excessive anger and reduced impulse control, which combine to make, for some veterans, involvement in violent situations a matter of “when” rather than “if”.
Defining Violence: it’s Not Just Physical
One of the most pervasive myths in society, especially as it relates to abuse in families and intimate partner relationships, is that abuse and violence only “count” if it’s physical in nature. As one article points out, there are multiple types of violence, and they do not all involve physical acts. In families, for example, violence can include not only aggressive physical actions like punching, pushing, or choking; it also includes other physical actions such as sexual abuse, which is not always physically violent. Sometimes, violent threats—such as the threat to beat or rape—are just as damaging as the act itself, whether such an act occurs within the family or in another context. Acts of psychological abuse, such as emotional humiliation, isolation, and controlling behavior, are also acts of violence. Essentially, any act of violence, whether physical or otherwise, has the potential to cause harm of one kind or another.
Violent acts don’t only take the form of one person abusing another. Another kind is self-directed violence in the form of increased risk of alcohol and substance abuse, as well as acts of self-harm such as suicide. As compared to the general population, these types of self-directed violence are much more common in veterans.
What’s happening to our Veterans?
The men and women who return from war-torn countries experience situations and emotions that are virtually impossible for most ordinary people to grasp. They might witness acts of extreme violence, the deaths of fellow servicemen and women, and might survive hazardous situations where their own lives are in danger. The complex range of emotions that they experience during these events is a highly potent mix that can trigger the development of mood disorders and mental illness.
Now, as they return home from overseas stations in Afghanistan and Iraq, increasing numbers of violent incidents—domestic violence incidents in particular—involve the nation’s veterans. Between 2006 and 2011, the number of calls relating to incidents of family violence involving veterans more than tripled, and most are directly relatable to the time they spent in service. In January 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported that of veterans diagnosed with depression and PTSD, 81% had been violent towards their partner in the previous year.
As a direct result of what they experience on active duty, many veterans are being diagnosed with anxiety disorders, depression, explosive anger disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some veterans this mental distress leads to self-directed violence, and in other cases, the violence is directed towards other people. PTSD in particular seemsto be a significant factor in veteran-related violence: male veterans with this disorder are up to three times more likely to act violently towards an intimate partner than male veterans who don’t have PTSD. They are also more likely overall to be involved in the legal system.
The problem has become so widespread that many organizations are now developing new policies and education initiatives to help veterans and their families. One example is Washington, DC organization The Aspen Institute, which in June 2013 held a summit focusing on the relationship between domestic violence and PTSD in veterans. Another is the Minneapolis Domestic Abuse Project which in 2012 launched a program called Change Step, developed specifically to help veterans who have become intimate partner abusers. The program was created to fulfill the specific needs of military families, who must deal with issues such as “the impact of military culture, deployment and resulting separation from family and the effects of combat”.
Crisis Support for Veterans and their Families
Veterans in crisis can access immediate support via the Department of Veteran Affairs Veterans Crisis Line. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. They can also text to 838255 or access a live confidential chat service. These services are also available for people seeking support on behalf of a Veteran.
People who are experiencing domestic abuse by an intimate partner or other family member can call The National Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-799-7233.
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