NEW ORLEANS -- Marine Administrative Message 524/17 announces that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Marine Corps is educating communities on how to recognize the signs of abuse, the proper report options and the resources available to provide help.
Victims have the option of two different reporting procedures; restricted and unrestricted. Both reporting options will provide victims with an advocacy and counseling service.
A restricted report is a confidential report that will remain restricted, unless the victim decides to switch to unrestricted. An unrestricted report is the reporting to anyone other than the uniformed victim advocate such as, law enforcement and the person’s command. Once a report is classified as unrestricted, it cannot be changed to a restricted report.
The signs of an abusive relationship can include, but is not limited to, a partner that controls the finances, uses threats of violence, limits social interaction with others and destroys property.
For additional information, the local installation Family Advocacy Program, chaplain, community counseling programs and military provost office can provide support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can also be reached at (800) 799-7233. Additionally, the number to the Marine Corps DSTRESS Line is (877) 476-7734.
For more information, see MARADMIN 524/17.