The OSD Family Advocacy Program (FAP) provides policy and program guidance to the Service FAPs. OSD regularly monitors family advocacy services, develops and updates relevant policy, and oversees Service implementation of programs and initiatives.  OSD works closely with Service headquarters-level points of contact to ensure that program needs are being met and help make family advocacy programs successful.

The OSD Family Advocacy Program (FAP) provides policy and program guidance to the Service FAPs. OSD regularly monitors family advocacy services, develops and updates relevant policy, and oversees Service implementation of programs and initiatives.  OSD works closely with Service headquarters-level points of contact to ensure that program needs are being met and help make family advocacy programs successful.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT provides installation service providers with current, reliable information on program-related initiatives and news, links to relevant policies and legislation, Service-specific program links, training resources, promotional materials and management tools.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT provides installation service providers with current, reliable information on program-related initiatives and news, links to relevant policies and legislation, Service-specific program links, training resources, promotional materials and management tools.

Military OneSource is an excellent resource for extending and enhancing prevention and early intervention services available on the installation.  Military OneSource provides information and resources to help balance work and family life.  Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email offering personalized support to any service member or family member.  Consultants can help parents identify resources in the military or civilian communities to help address any stressors or concerns they may have related to caring for their children.  In addition, Military OneSource offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue.  Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services from Military OneSource and MFLCs.

The Parenting section of the website includes articles on a number of topics such as single parenting, communicating with children, and caring for a new baby.  The Relationship section has content specifically focused on FAP, as well as articles on other topics such as family relationships, abuse and neglect, and family communication.  To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Military OneSource is an excellent resource for extending and enhancing prevention and early intervention services available on the installation.  Military OneSource provides information and resources to help balance work and family life.  Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email offering personalized support to any service member or family member.  Consultants can help parents identify resources in the military or civilian communities to help address any stressors or concerns they may have related to caring for their children.  In addition, Military OneSource offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue.  Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families are eligible to receive counseling services from Military OneSource and MFLCs.

The Parenting section of the website includes articles on a number of topics such as single parenting, communicating with children, and caring for a new baby.  The Relationship section has content specifically focused on FAP, as well as articles on other topics such as family relationships, abuse and neglect, and family communication.  To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Currently, OSD maintains data on child abuse and domestic abuse that is reported to the Family Advocacy Program at each installation.  OSD is implementing a data collection system on abuse reported to military law enforcement agencies.  However, OSD does not know how much child abuse and domestic abuse is unreported.

Currently, OSD maintains data on child abuse and domestic abuse that is reported to the Family Advocacy Program at each installation.  OSD is implementing a data collection system on abuse reported to military law enforcement agencies.  However, OSD does not know how much child abuse and domestic abuse is unreported.

DoD counts each reported and met criteria or substantiated incident of suspected abuse that is reported to the Family Advocacy Program at each installation. 

DoD counts each reported and met criteria or substantiated incident of suspected abuse that is reported to the Family Advocacy Program at each installation. 

The DoD rates of child abuse have remained relatively constant and are approximately half of their counterpart rates in the U.S. civilian population, as compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  This may be explained in part by the strong support military families receive and the success of prevention efforts sponsored by the FAP and other military family support programs.

The DoD rates of child abuse have remained relatively constant and are approximately half of their counterpart rates in the U.S. civilian population, as compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  This may be explained in part by the strong support military families receive and the success of prevention efforts sponsored by the FAP and other military family support programs.

Generally, the DoD data should not be compared to data from studies of civilians because there are the following significant differences in the designs of the studies:

• The DoD data includes incidents of emotional abuse that occurred without any physical or sexual abuse, while most civilian studies include only physical or sexual abuse.  
• The DoD demographics are usually much different from the demographics of the civilian studies. Domestic abuse occurs more frequently in young couples, who are over-represented in the military population.

Therefore, comparisons should not be made unless the study designs and populations are standardized.

Generally, the DoD data should not be compared to data from studies of civilians because there are the following significant differences in the designs of the studies:

• The DoD data includes incidents of emotional abuse that occurred without any physical or sexual abuse, while most civilian studies include only physical or sexual abuse.  
• The DoD demographics are usually much different from the demographics of the civilian studies. Domestic abuse occurs more frequently in young couples, who are over-represented in the military population.

Therefore, comparisons should not be made unless the study designs and populations are standardized.

No.  The alleged abuser may be an active duty service member; a civilian parent; an employee, contractor, or volunteer in a DoD activity such as the DoD schools, youth programs, and childcare; or other caregiver.  (This combination of intrafamilial and extrafamilial abusers is also included in the child abuse data collected by the states and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

No.  The alleged abuser may be an active duty service member; a civilian parent; an employee, contractor, or volunteer in a DoD activity such as the DoD schools, youth programs, and childcare; or other caregiver.  (This combination of intrafamilial and extrafamilial abusers is also included in the child abuse data collected by the states and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

No.  The victim may be an active duty service member, the civilian spouse of an active duty service member, or the intimate partner of an active duty service member.

No.  The victim may be an active duty service member, the civilian spouse of an active duty service member, or the intimate partner of an active duty service member.

DoD makes every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children involved in DoD-sponsored activities (e.g., schools, daycare centers, family home child care, youth sports, and recreation programs).  Efforts include conducting thorough background checks and training all staff and volunteers within these programs.  If there is a report of child sexual abuse within a DoD-sponsored activity, installation leadership will ensure an immediate investigation of the allegation.

Depending on the complexity of the report, the DoD Family Advocacy Command Assistance Team (FACAT) may be deployed to help the affected installation address the allegation.  The FACAT is a multi-disciplinary team of experts, who are specifically trained to help assess the situation, develop an investigation strategy, gather evidence for possible prosecution, address the needs of the victims and their families, and restore public confidence in the DoD-sponsored activity.

DoD makes every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children involved in DoD-sponsored activities (e.g., schools, daycare centers, family home child care, youth sports, and recreation programs).  Efforts include conducting thorough background checks and training all staff and volunteers within these programs.  If there is a report of child sexual abuse within a DoD-sponsored activity, installation leadership will ensure an immediate investigation of the allegation.

Depending on the complexity of the report, the DoD Family Advocacy Command Assistance Team (FACAT) may be deployed to help the affected installation address the allegation.  The FACAT is a multi-disciplinary team of experts, who are specifically trained to help assess the situation, develop an investigation strategy, gather evidence for possible prosecution, address the needs of the victims and their families, and restore public confidence in the DoD-sponsored activity.

The Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence (DTFDV) was authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2000.  The twenty-four-member Task Force was composed of senior military and civilian personnel from the Department of Defense and subject matter experts from the private sector, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services.  It was charged with reviewing the Department of Defense and Services' policies on domestic abuse and recommending ways to improve the military's response to domestic abuse.

The Task Force issued three reports, making almost 200 recommendations.  The Department of Defense agreed with the vast majority of those recommendations, and has implemented them through DoD Instruction 6400.06, "Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel," August 21, 2007, Incorporating Change 1, September 20, 2011.

For more information about the recommendations made by the Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence, please click on the links below to access the three reports:

• Initial Report of the DTFDV, February 2001
• Second Year Report of the DTFDV, February 2002
• Third Year Report of the DTFDV, February 2003

The Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence (DTFDV) was authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2000.  The twenty-four-member Task Force was composed of senior military and civilian personnel from the Department of Defense and subject matter experts from the private sector, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services.  It was charged with reviewing the Department of Defense and Services' policies on domestic abuse and recommending ways to improve the military's response to domestic abuse.

The Task Force issued three reports, making almost 200 recommendations.  The Department of Defense agreed with the vast majority of those recommendations, and has implemented them through DoD Instruction 6400.06, "Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel," August 21, 2007, Incorporating Change 1, September 20, 2011.

For more information about the recommendations made by the Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence, please click on the links below to access the three reports:

• Initial Report of the DTFDV, February 2001
• Second Year Report of the DTFDV, February 2002
• Third Year Report of the DTFDV, February 2003

Transitional Compensation provides temporary financial, health, and commissary and exchange benefits to dependents of a service member spouse or parent, who was separated from the military due to child or domestic abuse.  Transitional compensation payments are designed to assist victims in establishing a life apart from abusive service members.  A victim of domestic or child abuse may qualify to receive transitional compensation benefits if:

• he/she was married to or is a family member of a service member and was residing in the home of the now separated service member when the abuse occurred
• the service member has served at least thirty days on active duty
• the service member has been discharged administratively (voluntarily or involuntarily) or by court martial for dependent abuse, or sentenced to forfeiture of all pay and allowances by a court-martial for a dependent abuse offense
• the charge was brought to court after November 29, 1993

A victim can receive transitional compensation benefits for a minimum of twelve months and a maximum of thirty-six months.  The amount of the monetary benefit changes every year.  Although it must be reported as income, it is not taxable (similar to child support payments).  Victims may also be able to keep their health benefits and commissary and exchange benefits for the same time period. 

A victim of domestic or child abuse could lose or forfeit his or her transitional compensation benefits under the following circumstances:

• the victim remarries (all entitlements end as of the date of the new marriage)
• the victim lives with the abusive service member again
• the domestic abuse or child abuse conviction is reduced to a lower punishment
• the service member's administrative separation is revoked

For more information about this program and eligibility, individuals should contact the local installation legal office.

Transitional Compensation provides temporary financial, health, and commissary and exchange benefits to dependents of a service member spouse or parent, who was separated from the military due to child or domestic abuse.  Transitional compensation payments are designed to assist victims in establishing a life apart from abusive service members.  A victim of domestic or child abuse may qualify to receive transitional compensation benefits if:

• he/she was married to or is a family member of a service member and was residing in the home of the now separated service member when the abuse occurred
• the service member has served at least thirty days on active duty
• the service member has been discharged administratively (voluntarily or involuntarily) or by court martial for dependent abuse, or sentenced to forfeiture of all pay and allowances by a court-martial for a dependent abuse offense
• the charge was brought to court after November 29, 1993

A victim can receive transitional compensation benefits for a minimum of twelve months and a maximum of thirty-six months.  The amount of the monetary benefit changes every year.  Although it must be reported as income, it is not taxable (similar to child support payments).  Victims may also be able to keep their health benefits and commissary and exchange benefits for the same time period. 

A victim of domestic or child abuse could lose or forfeit his or her transitional compensation benefits under the following circumstances:

• the victim remarries (all entitlements end as of the date of the new marriage)
• the victim lives with the abusive service member again
• the domestic abuse or child abuse conviction is reduced to a lower punishment
• the service member's administrative separation is revoked

For more information about this program and eligibility, individuals should contact the local installation legal office.

Domestic abuse often goes unreported in both the civilian and military communities.  Although the victim's decision to report the incident is a crucial step towards holding the offender accountable following a domestic abuse incident, it can have potential serious consequences for the safety and welfare of the victim and other family members.  In the military community, victims are often worried that reporting the abuse will damage the career of the service member, and thus affect the family's financial welfare. 

Recognizing these competing interests, the desire to hold abusers accountable for their actions and protect victims and their children, the Department of Defense has developed two different reporting options for victims of domestic abuse:

Unrestricted Reporting 

Under the unrestricted reporting option, victims of domestic abuse who want to pursue an official investigation of an incident should use current reporting channels, e.g., chain of command, Family Advocacy Program (FAP), or law enforcement.  Upon notification of a reported domestic abuse incident, victim advocacy services and FAP clinical services will be offered to the victim.  Additionally, at the victim's discretion/request, a healthcare provider shall conduct any forensic medical examination deemed appropriate.  Details regarding the incident will be limited to only those personnel who have a legitimate need to know.

Restricted Reporting

Restricted reporting is defined as allowing a victim of domestic abuse, who is eligible to receive military medical treatment, including civilians and contractors who are eligible to receive military healthcare outside the Continental United States on a reimbursable basis, the option of reporting an incident of domestic abuse to specified individuals without initiating the investigative process or notification to the victim's or alleged offender's commander.  Under this option, victims can report abuse to victim advocates, supervisors of victim advocates or health care providers.  Family Advocacy clinicians are considered health care providers and can receive restricted reports.

In cases where an adult victim elects restricted reporting, the victim advocate and healthcare providers may not disclose the abuse to either the victim's or offender's commander or to law enforcement either within or outside the DoD, subject to several exceptions.  However, for purposes of command responsibility and the gathering of accurate data, the victim advocate or his/her supervisor is responsible for reporting information concerning domestic abuse incidents, without information that could reasonably lead to personal identification of the victim or alleged offender, to command officials at the next Family Advocacy Committee (FAC) meeting following receipt of information about the alleged domestic abuse incident, or as directed by the commander responsible for convening the FAC.  This will give commanders a clearer picture as to the number and type of domestic abuse incidents within their command, and enhance the commanders' ability to provide an environment that is safe and contributes to the well-being and mission-readiness of all of its service members.

Restricted reporting is intended to give adult victims additional time, while benefiting from receiving relevant information and support, to make informed decisions about reporting the domestic abuse incident to the appropriate commanders and possibly participating in a criminal investigation.  A victim who receives appropriate care and treatment, and is provided an opportunity to make an informed decision about reporting to law enforcement or command and the possibility of a criminal investigation, is more likely to develop increased trust that his or her needs are of primary concern, and therefore decide to report the domestic abuse incident to the appropriate commander or law enforcement. 

As noted above, there are several exceptions and limits to the restricted reporting option that victims of domestic abuse should understand when deciding whether that option is right for them.  For example, a victim advocate or healthcare provider must report the incident to command or law enforcement when they believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the health or safety of the victim or another person.  If the victim advocate or health care provider believes that child abuse has also occurred in the home, he or she must report his or her concerns about the child abuse to FAP and child protective services.

Domestic abuse often goes unreported in both the civilian and military communities.  Although the victim's decision to report the incident is a crucial step towards holding the offender accountable following a domestic abuse incident, it can have potential serious consequences for the safety and welfare of the victim and other family members.  In the military community, victims are often worried that reporting the abuse will damage the career of the service member, and thus affect the family's financial welfare. 

Recognizing these competing interests, the desire to hold abusers accountable for their actions and protect victims and their children, the Department of Defense has developed two different reporting options for victims of domestic abuse:

Unrestricted Reporting 

Under the unrestricted reporting option, victims of domestic abuse who want to pursue an official investigation of an incident should use current reporting channels, e.g., chain of command, Family Advocacy Program (FAP), or law enforcement.  Upon notification of a reported domestic abuse incident, victim advocacy services and FAP clinical services will be offered to the victim.  Additionally, at the victim's discretion/request, a healthcare provider shall conduct any forensic medical examination deemed appropriate.  Details regarding the incident will be limited to only those personnel who have a legitimate need to know.

Restricted Reporting

Restricted reporting is defined as allowing a victim of domestic abuse, who is eligible to receive military medical treatment, including civilians and contractors who are eligible to receive military healthcare outside the Continental United States on a reimbursable basis, the option of reporting an incident of domestic abuse to specified individuals without initiating the investigative process or notification to the victim's or alleged offender's commander.  Under this option, victims can report abuse to victim advocates, supervisors of victim advocates or health care providers.  Family Advocacy clinicians are considered health care providers and can receive restricted reports.

In cases where an adult victim elects restricted reporting, the victim advocate and healthcare providers may not disclose the abuse to either the victim's or offender's commander or to law enforcement either within or outside the DoD, subject to several exceptions.  However, for purposes of command responsibility and the gathering of accurate data, the victim advocate or his/her supervisor is responsible for reporting information concerning domestic abuse incidents, without information that could reasonably lead to personal identification of the victim or alleged offender, to command officials at the next Family Advocacy Committee (FAC) meeting following receipt of information about the alleged domestic abuse incident, or as directed by the commander responsible for convening the FAC.  This will give commanders a clearer picture as to the number and type of domestic abuse incidents within their command, and enhance the commanders' ability to provide an environment that is safe and contributes to the well-being and mission-readiness of all of its service members.

Restricted reporting is intended to give adult victims additional time, while benefiting from receiving relevant information and support, to make informed decisions about reporting the domestic abuse incident to the appropriate commanders and possibly participating in a criminal investigation.  A victim who receives appropriate care and treatment, and is provided an opportunity to make an informed decision about reporting to law enforcement or command and the possibility of a criminal investigation, is more likely to develop increased trust that his or her needs are of primary concern, and therefore decide to report the domestic abuse incident to the appropriate commander or law enforcement. 

As noted above, there are several exceptions and limits to the restricted reporting option that victims of domestic abuse should understand when deciding whether that option is right for them.  For example, a victim advocate or healthcare provider must report the incident to command or law enforcement when they believe it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the health or safety of the victim or another person.  If the victim advocate or health care provider believes that child abuse has also occurred in the home, he or she must report his or her concerns about the child abuse to FAP and child protective services.

Victim advocates provide the following services to assist eligible victims:

• assessment of their safety, their child(ren)'s safety, and risk of future domestic abuse
• information about the installation's response to a report of domestic abuse, including information about supportive services available through the installation, what commanders can do to protect and assist them under the military disciplinary system, shipment of household goods, and transitional compensation
• information about the local civilian community's response to a report of domestic abuse, including information about available supportive services, and what the civilian law enforcement and justice system can do to protect and assist them
• information about how to obtain civilian and military protective orders and how they will be enforced
• safety planning to minimize harm from future abuse
• referral to supportive services requested by the victim
• assistance in making an unrestricted report to the appropriate law enforcement agency, the FAP, and the commander if the victim decides that he or she wants to report
• helping the victim to understand the option of restricted reporting should the victim decide that he or she does not want to have law enforcement investigate the incident or have command notified
• with the victim's consent, assistance in seeking a protective order

They also help educate installation personnel regarding the most effective responses to domestic abuse on behalf of victims and at-risk family members. DoD victim advocates provide both immediate and ongoing support to domestic abuse victims who are eligible to receive military medical treatment, and will refer all other victims to civilian support services after helping them with short-term safety planning. DoD is expanding the availability of victim advocates for victims of domestic abuse either on or off the installation through both contract and volunteer positions.

Victim advocates provide the following services to assist eligible victims:

• assessment of their safety, their child(ren)'s safety, and risk of future domestic abuse
• information about the installation's response to a report of domestic abuse, including information about supportive services available through the installation, what commanders can do to protect and assist them under the military disciplinary system, shipment of household goods, and transitional compensation
• information about the local civilian community's response to a report of domestic abuse, including information about available supportive services, and what the civilian law enforcement and justice system can do to protect and assist them
• information about how to obtain civilian and military protective orders and how they will be enforced
• safety planning to minimize harm from future abuse
• referral to supportive services requested by the victim
• assistance in making an unrestricted report to the appropriate law enforcement agency, the FAP, and the commander if the victim decides that he or she wants to report
• helping the victim to understand the option of restricted reporting should the victim decide that he or she does not want to have law enforcement investigate the incident or have command notified
• with the victim's consent, assistance in seeking a protective order

They also help educate installation personnel regarding the most effective responses to domestic abuse on behalf of victims and at-risk family members. DoD victim advocates provide both immediate and ongoing support to domestic abuse victims who are eligible to receive military medical treatment, and will refer all other victims to civilian support services after helping them with short-term safety planning. DoD is expanding the availability of victim advocates for victims of domestic abuse either on or off the installation through both contract and volunteer positions.