Domestic Violence

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, and hair-pulling are types of physical abuse. Physical abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon him or her.

You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner has ever...

• Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.).
• Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
• Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
• Scared you by driving recklessly.
• Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
• Forced you to leave your home.
• Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
• Prevented you from calling the police or seeking medical attention.
• Hurt your children.
• Used physical force in sexual situations.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging one's relationship with his or her children. You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner... Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you. Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive. Tries to isolate you from family or friends. Monitors where you go, who you call, and who you spend time with. Controls finances or refuses to share money. Punishes you by withholding affection. Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.

ECONOMIC ABUSE

Making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE

Causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work are all examples of psychological abuse. Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused, but also has a substantial effect on family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community at large. Children who grow up witnessing domestic violence are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems, but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life, therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers.

Victim Resources

SAFETY PLANNING

PROTECTION ORDERS

REPORTING OPTIONS

RESOURCES

Child Abuse

Child abuse consists of any act that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. Child physical abuse includes any damage done to a child which cannot be reasonably explained and which is often represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature. Service members are required to report any incident of child abuse to the command.

Forms of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse

Any act that causes non-accidental injury to a child. This includes abuse such as hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, whipping, and paddling.

Sexual Abuse

Any sexual act between an adult and child. This includes fondling, penetration, intercourse, exploitation, pornography, exhibitionism, child prostitution, group sex, oral sex, or forced observation of sexual acts.

Neglect

Failure to provide for a child’s physical needs and safety. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food and water, inappropriate clothing for season or weather, abandonment, denial of medical care and inadequate hygiene.

Emotional Abuse

Any attitude or behavior which interferes with a child’s mental health or social development. This includes yelling, screaming, name-calling, shaming, negative comparisons to others, telling them they are “bad, no good, worthless” or “a mistake.” It also includes the failure to provide the affection and support necessary for the development of a child’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual well-being. This includes ignoring, lack of appropriate physical affection (hugs), not saying “I love you,” withdrawal of attention, lack of praise and lack of positive reinforcement.

Child abuse must be reported to keep our children safe. There is no option for restricted reporting for incidents of child abuse or neglect.

Reporting Options

• Child Protective Services - Reporting/Intake: 1-800-762-4902
• Reporting After Hours: 1-800-562-5624
• Family Advocacy Program: 1-866-854-0638

Family Advocacy Program

The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is designed to support operational readiness by addressing prevention, education, identification, intervention, treatment and the reporting of suspected child abuse/neglect and spouse/partner abuse.

The Fleet & Family Support Center is staffed with highly qualified, licensed counselors who provide assessment, case management and treatment for active duty service members and beneficiaries who are involved in a domestic or child abuse incident. Each of the counselors holds a masters or doctorate degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Psychology. They are fully credentialed and know how to assist you!

The Family Advocacy Program requires staff to assess all reported incidents of suspected or known maltreatment. The FAP process includes in-person interviews with the service member, spouse/partner and children. The Commanding Officer of the service member is notified when an allegation has been reported to FAP that involves the service member and/or family members. Depending on the allegation, the appropriate state’s child protection agency and/or appropriate law enforcement agency may be contacted (i.e. Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), local Police or Sheriff). Because FAP staff may make these and other disclosures in furtherance of the Family Advocacy Program, communications made to FAP staff may not be privileged under Military Rule of Evidence 513 or similar provisions.

In accordance with DOD guidance, all cases that meet reasonable suspicion for domestic abuse and/or child maltreatment will be reviewed at the Incident Determination Committee (IDC) and the Clinical Case Staffing Meeting (CCSM).

• The IDC membership consists of: Installation Executive Officer, Installation Command Master Chief, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Staff Judge Advocate, Base Security, Family Advocacy Representative, and sponsor’s Commanding Officer. Although you may not attend the IDC meeting, you will receive notification seven days in advance of the meeting date. The IDC reviews all relevant information regarding the allegations and makes an administrative determination whether abuse/neglect occurred. The results of the IDC are reported to the FAP Central Registry for data collection and tracking of cases. You will be informed of the IDC’s findings and your right to request a review of the findings if certain conditions exist.
• During the CCSM, clinical providers review all relevant case information to develop interventions/treatment recommendations to meet the specific needs of each service member and/or family members. A FLAG may be assigned to insure that service members due to receive permanent change of station (PCS) orders are assigned in areas where appropriate treatment services are available. The CCSM periodically reviews cases until such time that: treatment recommendations are completed; level of risk has decreased; case is closed due to non-compliance.

The IDC determination, CCSM treatment recommendations, administrative recommendations and “flagging” information is provided to the service member’s Commanding Officer. The victim and/or offender may contact the FAP Case Manager directly to obtain results of the IDC and CCSM.

Treatment Options

Both groups have different levels of treatment:

Level II: 16 weekly group sessions with three monthly follow-up individual appointments. Clients meet monthly with the case manager through the group process.

Level III (IV): 26 weekly group sessions with six monthly follow-up individual appointments. Clients meet monthly with the case manager through the group process.

Call your case manager or 1-866-854-0638 for more information.

POSITIVE PARENTING CLASS
The Positive Parenting Class is a class where parents learn specific techniques to avoid hassles such as fighting, eating, chores, motivation, homework, sharing and more. This fun and lively class will teach parents discipline techniques that will promote children’s:

• Self-esteem
• Responsibility
• Problem-solving Skills
• Self-discipline

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PARENTING CLASS
Understanding the Effects! When Children Witness Domestic Violence - Helping Children Who Witness Domestic Violence is a 2-hour class designed to help parents understand the impact of witnessing violence or high-level conflict within the family home. The focus of this class is on the developmental stages of children, and how they process and internalize these themes of conflict in the family environment. The class also helps parents to take steps toward addressing their children's needs in a supportive and healing way.

COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN
Fleet & Family Support's Children's counselors are highly qualified, state-licensed clinicians who have had extensive experience working with children and families through a wide range of concerns.

Command Resources

COMMAND FAMILY ADVOCACY REPRESENTATIVES (CFAR) TRAINING

Newly appointed CFARs can receive training by calling the Fleet & Family Support Center to set up their individual appointment with the Family Advocacy Representative. Training can include orientation to their position, as well as an overview of the Incident Determination Committee that will fulfill the requirements to vote.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV)/SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & RESPONSE (SAPR) EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING

COMNAVREGNWINST 1753.1A requires all newly appointed Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, Command Master Chiefs and Chiefs of the Boat to attend the DV/SAPR Executive Leadership training within 90 days of assuming their position.

Please call our Centralized Scheduling line at 866-854-0638 to reserve your space.