The Department of Veterans Affairs Jennings Community Based Outpatient Clinic and the Jeff Davis Communities Against Domestic Abuse are working to increase awareness about domestic violence resources available to veterans and non-veteran partners.

“We have a whole department to support people, not just experiencing domestic violence, but using violence,”  local Veterans Affairs social worker Kristi Davidson said. “We want veterans to have the support they need to live well and live free. Nobody should live with domestic abuse.”

Domestic violence often involves physical, emotional or sexual abuse, stalking and psychological aggression which occurs at various frequencies and levels of severity.

There are multiple resources available through the VA for veterans and their partners and families who are using violence or experiencing violence, she said. Many of the services are free to veterans and their non-veteran partners.

The VA can offer medical care, assist with transportation, provide mental health services, including suicide prevention and assist with homelessness. It can also provide employment assistance based on needs and help veterans and their spouses find available jobs.

“We had a veteran that came into our clinic that had a really terrible situation,” Davidson said. “She had a history of abuse and a history of suicidal behavior. She was homeless, had no income, no car, but she simply asked for help getting a ride to get to the dentist. That was just the tip of the iceberg.”

For many victims and abusers, getting help is a difficult step to take, she said.

“It’s a complex issue and nobody is going to walk up to the VA and say I’m experiencing domestic violence, but that’s often not the only problem,” she said. “We offer an array of services to help people in many different situations.”

As a first step, the VA can work with the Communities Against Domestic Abuse to provide a temporary shelter and programs for women and children in domestic violence situations.

Assistance is also provided through the confidential Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or text 838255. Anyone reaching out can remain anonymous.

Davidson said privacy is of the utmost importance to those seeking help through the VA.

“They can call anonymously and ask about services that are available,” she said. “We do not force help on anybody so if they just want to know what is out there we can provide them with the information.”

There are no local statistics available for veteran-related domestic violence cases, but Davidson said the local clinic has seen a number of veterans and their non-veteran partners reach out for help.

“No matter how many people say they are having problems, that tells us that there are many more out there,” she said. “If this many are willing to admit it, you know there are many more who won’t. It’s way more common than we know.”

Those seeking help can contact Davidson, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays at 337-785-4757 or CADA at 337-616-8418 or 866-883-2232..

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)