Guidance

Domestic abuse case studies from the Army Welfare Service

Updated 5 September 2017

Who can help?

• Who can help?

Support within the army community

There is significant support available within the army community to serving personnel, their families and partners. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or a perpetrator who wants to change their abusive and controlling behaviour it is important to ask for help. Sources of support available to those within the army community are outlined below.

5 detailed case studies received from the Army Welfare Service are also outlined below, and cover a breadth of issues from active perpetrator support to divorce and the need to transition out of the military community.

Domestic abuse is more common than people think; 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced domestic abuse in their lifetime. Feedback on common concerns raised by victims and perpetrators from the armed forces community is available.

Professional welfare providers, be they military or civilian, are very experienced in supporting male and female victims of domestic abuse, they are there to help you.

Civilian support services

To find out what civilian services are available in your area type ‘domestic abuse’ into the search tool on either your local or county council website. Computer access is available at local libraries, with additional information on local support services for male and female victims available through the following link Domestic Abuse Directory’.

Police and NHS staff can also signpost to support groups; anyone can speak in confidence to their GP or health worker. Additional support is available through the following national support groups:

• female victims: Women’s Aid

• male victims: ManKind Initiative and the Men’s Advice Line

• lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships: galop

• support for male and female perpetrators: Respect

Armed forces welfare providers

Army Welfare Service

Army Welfare Service provides accessible, independent, confidential and professional specialist welfare service to soldiers and their families with any personal or family difficulty. For all personal support enquiries and referrals please contact the Intake and Assessment Team on 01904 882053 or email them on RC-AWS[email protected].

Forcesline

Forcesline is a free, confidential telephone helpline and email service run by SSAFA. Experienced staff provide a supportive, listening and signposting service for current and former members of the armed forces and their families. Forcesline opening hours can be accessed via the web link.

Chaplaincy support

Chaplains work with each of the armed services and are located with units throughout the world. Chaplaincy support, which is confidential and outside of the chain of command, is available to all service personnel and their families. Chaplains provide spiritual leadership, moral guidance and pastoral support, regardless of religion or belief; the Padre is around to talk to and help anyone. Chaplaincy support can be accessed locally, with further information available through the HIVE Information Centres (see sub-section below).

The Army Families Federation

The Army Families Federation is there to represent the needs of the service family; they are an independent organisation that offers confidential advice, signposting as well as a voice on any relevant issue. Further information is available on the Army Families Federation website.

Army HIVE

The HIVE is an information network available to all members of the service community. HIVE Information Centres provide up to date, relevant information and can be contacted in person or by either telephone or email; for locations and contact details see the Army HIVE website.

Case study 1: armed forces family being actively supported by both military and civilian welfare provider

• Family composition: serving soldier, Sgt X, spouse, Mr X

Sgt and Mr X self referred to the Army Welfare Service (AWS) to access support for their relationship difficulties. They had been married for 8 years, with no children. An assessment was carried out, which identified the presence of emotional and mental abuse in their relationship. Sgt X disclosed that she was exhibiting controlling and manipulative behaviour towards her husband. Over time, this had a negative impact on the emotional and mental health of Mr X, in turn causing difficulties and changes in the dynamics of their relationship.

The AWS was able to fund Relate support for Sgt and Mr X, allowing them to address their difficulties and explore the dynamics and future of their relationship. The situation had contributed to Mr X developing poor self esteem and self worth and he was unsure if he wanted to remain in the relationship. He later engaged in a locally run course (self sourced) to help improve his self esteem and confidence. He also attended a local run ‘Freedom’ programme, in order to explore domestic abuse and his own personal experiences. Mr X gained an understanding of the different forms domestic abuse can take, as well as an understanding of how to safeguard against abusive behaviour in the future. He later separated from Sgt X.

Case study 2: active perpetrator support

Family composition: serving soldier, Pte X, spouse, Mrs X (36 weeks pregnant), daughter, 2 ½ years old

Notification was received by the MOD Police of an incident involving domestic abuse between Pte and Mrs X. The nature of the incident, coupled with a history of domestic abuse and other risk factors, escalated the situation to section 47 investigation.

The Army Welfare Service (AWS) attended the Initial Child Protection Case Conference (ICPCC). The outcome was the immediate implementation of a safety plan which stipulated that Pte X was to have no unsupervised contact with Mrs X or their daughter. He also moved out of the family home into single living accommodation (SLA). The ICPCC identified that Pte X should attend a ‘perpetrators/turnaround’ programme and Mrs X a ‘freedom’ programme. The AWS were requested to identify, in partnership with the social worker and family, appropriate programmes.

The aim was to help Pte X to understand his abusive behaviour, recognise and deflect triggers and also develop appropriate ways to manage his behaviour. The aim was to help Mrs X stay ‘safe’ by safeguarding herself and the children and also help her recognise the varying forms domestic abuse can take. Mrs X fully engaged in and benefited from the ‘freedom’ programme she attended. She also worked with Women’s Aid in order to explore her feelings as well as the previous dynamics of the relationship and her plans for the future. Pte X attended a ‘perpetrators’ programme which was facilitated by SPLITZ Support Services, who also offered support for Mrs X during the programme.

Both parties made positive progress and the family unit was able to reunite. There have been no further incidents of domestic abuse and the child protection status has been de-escalated.

Case study 3: support to veteran/reservist

Family composition: reservist soldier, C/Sgt X, spouse, Mrs X

Mrs X self referred to the Army Welfare Service (AWS) to access support. Her husband, who is an ex-regular soldier, was serving as a reservist. The couple have 3 children who are all over 18 years of age; 2 of whom are living independently. Mrs X disclosed that her husband kept her short of money, to the extent that she had just £10 in her bank account and he had in excess of £10,000. She felt he isolated her, “blocking” her from receiving family support; he also actively encouraged their son to leave home. Mrs X believed this was due to the close relationship she had with her son, describing him as her “best friend and rock”.

An assessment was carried out, which identified the presence of emotional and verbal abuse, including isolation and financial control. Mrs X requested financial and legal advice as well as emotional support. Mrs X was prescribed anti-depressive medication and was, at the time, experiencing suicidal thoughts; this was monitored by her GP. Mrs X felt “trapped” as she loved her husband and did not wish to separate. The AWS supported Mrs X emotionally and signposted her to Women’s Aid for further support.

Case study 4: support to a couple in a same sex relationship

Family composition: serving soldier, Cpl B, partner (Navy), Leading Hand (LH) C

Cpl B had been in a relationship with LH C for 7 years when she was referred to the Army Welfare Service (AWS) by the chain of command, with a request for an AWS Welfare report to be produced. This was in order to assist the chain of command in managing Cpl B’s military career as she had requested an assignment close to where her partner was serving. The couple had been trying to start a family for 3 years, using In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment; LH C had undergone the treatment. This had a huge financial impact on the couple, and it also took its ‘toll’ on their relationship. During the assessment Cpl B disclosed her partner was violent towards her, but dismissed this as being due to LH Cs “hormones”. Cpl B dismissed the violence as just being the way that LH C behaved, stating she loves Cpl B and just wanted to “take care of her”.

The AWS Welfare report was produced, however, the outcome was negative because there was no suitable assignment for Cpl B. The AWS emotionally supported Cpl B through this process, enabling her to explore her options regarding her relationship. The couple decided to put IVF treatment on hold until their relationship was “in a better place”.

Case study 5: divorce and the need to transition out of the military community

Family composition: serving officer, Maj X, Spouse, Mrs X, daughter’s aged 6 and 8 years.

The AWS was informed of an incident involving domestic abuse at Maj and Mrs X Service Family Accommodation (SFA). The incident occurred as Maj X returned home intoxicated and physically assaulted his wife; this was witnessed by both their children. The Police were called and a referral was made to Children’s Services (CS). An Initial Child Protection Case Conference (ICPCC) was convened and attended by AWS. The outcome was that the children were placed on the Child Protection Register due to the severity of the assault and the history of domestic abuse.

The AWS facilitated a referral for individual counselling for Mrs X (indentified during ICPCC). This enabled Mrs X to explore her feelings, as well as historic childhood trauma and the ‘cycles’ of domestic abuse she had experienced. She also had the chance to consider the future of her relationship; Mrs X made the decision to separate from her husband. She had to leave the military environment, which she described as her “military family”, and did so with minimal support from her family. Mrs X felt extremely “isolated” when her entitlement of 93 days to vacate SFA was instigated. Though this was an extremely emotional and turbulent time for Mrs X, with on going support and counselling from AWS she went on to secure part time employment and private rented accommodation. Her children were able to continue in their current schools and they were also enrolled in the ‘What about me project’ run by Barnardo’s, which works with children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Mrs X expressed that the support structure around her enabled her to break a pattern of abuse, moving away from the military environment, which she would otherwise have perceived as “impossible”.

Related information

• Domestic abuse: guidance and support for the armed forces community

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