The Foreign Service Journal, November 2019

22 NOVEMBER 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Research on reports of domestic vio- lence within our community would give us better tools to educate, anticipate and hopefully prevent future challenges. It is hard to find statistics on domestic violence from State or the other foreign affairs agencies, much less analyze the data for possible lessons and prescriptions. In addition, increased effort to raise awareness, promote resources and offer support in this area for locally employed staff members is called for. How Can We Do Better? In the meantime, there are steps we can all take as individuals to help preempt domestic violence. Education is an essential first step. 19 State 77404 explains the State Depart- ment’s policies on domestic violence, lists valuable resources and encourages employee awareness. Take the next step and organize training for your office or post. In 2016 Embassy Asuncion’s RSO, Rich Ojeda, organized mandatory pre- sentations on domestic violence involv- ing local police, prosecutors and social workers for our entire embassy staff and interested family members. These were eye-opening presentations for all of us. Make awareness a priority for your community. Be an engaged member of your office team or mission community. Introduce yourself, connect new arrivals to the CLO and listen when you ask people how they are. This is not an invitation to pry into people’s family lives but an opportunity to be aware, available and approachable to someone looking for a friend. Know that sharing a concern isn’t destroying a colleague’s career. Early warning and intervention can help keep a family intact or minimize risk while they decide on their future. The Family Advo- cacy Team can engage to help prevent State Department Bureau of Medical Services (MED). MED staff overseas provide medical and behavioral health support, make referrals to other profes- sionals and authorize medical evacuations when necessary. Victim’s Resource Advocacy Program (VRAP). The mission of VRAP is to empower those who have been victimized as a result of crimes that Diplomatic Security is investigating. Resources are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the victim and may include counseling, assistance attaining reimbursements for medical payments and lost property, accompaniment to judicial proceed- ings and relocation support. A representative of this office also sits on the State Department’s Family Advocacy Committee. Contact VRAP at (571) 345-9832 or vrap@state.gov . The Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Managed by the Bureau of Medi- cal Services, ECS/EAP offers up to six free confidential counseling sessions with professional clinical social workers to Department of State employees and eligible family members on a wide range of issues including, but not limited to relationship/marital concerns, crisis intervention, parenting, stress, grief, sleep, medical illness, financial concerns, bullying, life transitions, depression, anxiety and other emotional concerns. For free and confidential short-term counseling, contact (703) 812-2257 or EDECS@state.gov. Employee Consultation Services (ECS). ECS offers a wide variety of support groups that meet on a monthly basis. More information can be found at the MED/ECS Sharepoint site. Family Liaison Office (FLO). FLO has several publications related to domestic violence and domestic abuse. FLO’s Crisis Management Team can also provide information, resources and support. Contact FLO at FLOAskSupportServices@state.gov. Domestic Emergency Line for State Department. For any domestic emergency, call (202) 647-9111 or (202) 647-0099. The National Domestic Violence Hotline. For those in the United States, advocates from this hotline can provide local direct service resources (safe shelters, transportation, case work assistance) and crisis intervention. Interpreter services are available in 170 languages. They also partner with the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Center to provide a videophone option. Hotline: 1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233); www.TheHotline.org . Pathways to Safety International (formerly Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center). Pathways to Safety International provides 24/7/365 worldwide support via technology to abused Americans overseas. They can be reached via an international toll-free crisis line, 1 (833) SAFE-833. https://pathwaystosafety.org/our-mission. —Source: 19 State 77404 Available Resources