Preventing Domestic Violence in Families of Veterans

Abstract

Article AbstractClick to enlarge pageA group of experts in domestic violence and veterans affairs met at the Aspen Institute in Aspen, Colorado, in June 2013 to identify best practices in preventing domestic violence in the families of veterans. The estimated prevalence of domestic violence perpetrated by veterans ranges from 13.5% to 58%, and the experts agreed that better screening is necessary. Because a large number of veterans receive medical care in communities and not through the Veterans Affairs system, the experts agreed that local providers need to learn about military culture and the resources for veterans that are available in their region. The experts also discussed a number of programs that have been successful in reducing domestic violence in families of veterans.From The New York Times, New York, New York (Mr. Dao); the Care Coalition: the US Special Operations Command's Wounded Warrior Program, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida (Sgt Major Ammerman); Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, New York, New York (Mr Bennet); Soldier for Life Office, US Army, Washington, DC (Col Coss); Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Riverside, California (Ms Daniely-Woolfolk); Health Science & Recreation Department, San Jose State University, San Jose, California (Dr Demers); Blue Star Families, Falls Church, Virginia (Dr Greentree); former Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Under Secretary for Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy, Washington, DC (Mr Langley); US Navy, Quantico, Virginia (Capt Nash); Combat Stress Recovery Team, Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, Florida (Ms Neary); Integrated Care Clinic for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, San Francisco VA Medical Center and the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Seal); Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine and National Center for PTSD, Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Taft); and Give an Hour, Bethesda, Maryland (Dr Van Dahlen).†‹