Caption Chaplain Ross discusses the many issues concerning Domestic Violence. Photo by: JOSN Jason Moore

Behind the closed doors of many American households lies a problem that only in the last few years has surfaced. This blister on the American family has grabbed the attention of most Americans and especially the president, when he declared last year that October is to be Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

The Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, and USS Independence have all taken an active role in recognizing this program. Last year, Indy's Chaplain Department organized several classes and support groups to help prevent and even combat acts of abuse in the home.

This year is a little different, as Lt. Cmdr. Derek Ross, one of Indy's Chaplains from Washington D.C. has created a new program with some modifications of last year's.

"The program I have designed focuses around the 'fireside chat' format, in which I visit various divisions throughout the ship and discuss some of the many issues concerning domestic violence," Ross said. "I try not to call it a workshop or a lecture, but instead a brief - since it only lasts 30-45 minutes. That way, we can get to the heart of the discussion and really spend time in an open and relaxed forum, and I feel we accomplish so much more that way."

Departmental divisions sign up with Chaplain Ross and set up a time and location for the brief. During the brief, topics such as stress and anger management, family communication, and types along with causes of domestic abuse are discussed. Ross added that there are two main points of the brief, and that is identifying the line between anger and violence, and understanding that nothing good or no conflict gets resolved through violence, whether it is verbal or physical.

The brief is beneficial to both married and single Sailors. The focus for the single Sailors is education and prevention, for as Ross added, someday they will have families themselves. For married Sailors, the discussions provide guidance and a suggested blueprint to those marriage and families who need it.

"We live in such a unique environment," added Ross. "The military can add unwanted stress to a marriage or to the family and it is important to understand that the Sailors can not bring work home with him. Also, since we are underway many months out of the year, our ship's schedule tends to supersede our family schedule, and that many changes happen while we are gone. The Sailors needs to recognize this and be patient with it."

Across the nation, thousands of Americans are taking a pro-active approach to minimize or even rid domestic violence. Here aboard Indy, the problem doesn't end simply because the ship is out to sea. These seminars or briefs are one way Indy and the Sailors can be a part of the solution. As this month's theme poignantly states, "Domestic Violence ends with ME."