Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 1/23/2010

Question
Hello!
   My roommate's little sister (we'll call her Jane) is dating this guy who I just found out is abusing her (she came to my house with a black eye). From what she has told me and from my work with battered women this is not the first time just the first time that couldn't be covered up. The fact that he is now hitting her in the face tells me it is to a point where he doesn't care what anyone thinks and he doesn't feel there is a problem with this behavior, meaning this will only get worse. Jane is too scared to leave for fear of what he will do and the civilian police have been no help. So, why am I asking you... He is in the Army if we were to report this to his commanding officer would they be able to do anything?
                     Thank you so much for your Time!

Answer
Most certainly his commanding officer and the Military Police could step in.  Assuming he lives on base, the MPs can step in and arrest him for domestic violence.  Also, his commanding officer can give the boyfriend an order to stay away from Jane and not contact her at all.  The thing to remember is that she will need to show proof of this so that the Commander and MPs can be sure that they are acting in a manner consistent with the issues at hand.  She should get the number to his commander or first sergeant and ask to talk to them in private about her issues. If they refuse, the Military Police will be able to handle it.