Bay Pines criticized for shutting down VA domestic violence program

ST. PETERSBURG — The Bay Pines VA Medical Center is closing a domestic violence intervention program, saying it is not used enough.

This has angered a Pinellas domestic violence activist who says it indicates that the veterans agency is showing little concern for battered women.

Researchers say veterans are at higher risk of committing domestic violence if they suffer from post-traumatic stress.

But a spokeswoman for the Department of Veterans Affairs facility, the fourth-busiest in the nation, said few veterans are participating in the domestic violence program and the hospital's resources can be better deployed.

Faith Belcher, a Bay Pines spokeswoman, said the program being closed deals with veterans who are referred to it from a court. But other clinical treatment options for both the victims and perpetrators are available at Bay Pines and in the community, she said.

Only 20 people are currently enrolled in the Bay Pines batterers intervention program.

"Addressing domestic violence is of critical importance when treating veterans and their families and the impacts of war on their health and well-being," Bay Pines said in a statement. "We assess veterans for violence and associated mental illness and provide clinical treatment."

Linda Osmundson, executive director of Community Action Stops Abuse, said she is disappointed by the VA's decision.

"It sends a message," she said.

Osmundson said the Bay Pines program is withering because the VA isn't referring veterans to it, though Bay Pines says veterans have to be referred to it by a court.

If the agency better promoted the program, Osmundson said, participation would grow.

Earlier this year, Bay Pines' program coordinator Elaine Torosian told state and local domestic violence activists that the VA had decided to end the program. At the time, Bay Pines officials denied having made a final decision.

William R. Levesque can be reached at levesque@sptimes.com or (813) 269-5306.