Fort Hood Wages War Against Domestic Violence - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

It's domestic violence awareness month, and Fort Hood is doing all it can to combat and prevent abuse.

It comes in all forms, and unfortunately, many times it's not reported.

That's why Fort Hood leaders are doing what they can to defend those who often can't defend themselves.

"We should rise up and stand in front of our victims and say to the abuser, No!" Christina Gindratt, a legal aid for victims, said at a ceremony at III Corps Headquarters today.

It was a message heard loud and clear, as Commanding General LTG Don Campbell signed a proclamation promising Fort Hood won't turn its back on domestic violence.

One in every four women will experience it and so will some men.

Christina has met many of them face to face.

She says the battle against abuse starts when someone speaks up for the victim.

"It takes everything a victim has to come into my office and say, 'I need you to help me with something,' and the majority of the time, they're able to do that because someone else brought them to me," said Christina.

Domestic violence can be verbal, physical, sexual or neglect.

It can be triggered by things like financial troubles, stress, drug use, marital problems, and child birth.

Fort Hood's Family Advocacy Program offers workshops to help soldiers and families cope.

"Many times, as couples are navigating and working their relationships out and they're learning who they are as couples and becoming parents, things come up," said Billy Floyd with the Family Advocacy Program.

And military life brings it's own unique stressers.

"If we think back through the last 11 years and the deployments and all things associated with that, it only highlights the need that we bring domestic violence awareness to the forefront," said General Campbell.

Christina wants everyone to know that noticing the warning signs can save a life.

"You must speak up for them, because failing to do so could mean that that person could die," she said.

Warning sings in a victim can include the tendency to blame themselves, to be emotionally and economically dependent, to minimize abuse and to deny options available to stop it.

In an emergency, always call 911.

To report child, spousal, or relationship abuse, call (254)287-CARE.

Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline: (254)702-4953

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford cbuford@kcentv.com