Support for Military
Quick guidance & answers
The Family Advocacy Program is the Defense Department program designated to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse. FAP supports service members and their spouses, partners and families by teaching them skills and behaviors that can help prevent abuse and promote safety. FAP also offers supportive counseling and treatment.
Learn about additional options for getting help.
FAP promotes nurturing and healthy environments for children and youth in many ways, including through educational groups and classes, comprehensive assessments, counseling and coordination and collaboration with other providers or agencies, as needed.
When a child is the victim of an adult-initiated incident of abuse or neglect, including exposure to emotional abuse or abuse between adults, their parent may also receive advocate services and counseling. Call 911 if a child’s safety is an immediate concern.
GETTING HELP FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Use the local FAP office locator on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-799-7233.
Call the Defense Department’s Child Abuse and Safety Hotline at 877-790-1197. This hotline number is specifically for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect that may be occurring within a DOD-sanctioned activity. This is not a number people should use to report any instance of suspected child abuse or child neglect that did not occur within a DOD-sanctioned activity. If a child is at imminent risk, call 911.
SPOTTING A SITUATION WHERE A CHILD NEEDS HELP
Learn some of the signs that a child or teen could be at risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect so you’ll know when it’s time to act. Signs may include when a child or teen:
Contact your local Family Advocacy Program office to report concerns. They’ll assess the situation, then take the appropriate steps to secure the child’s safety and enlist support to help the family.
Learn more about what child abuse and neglect is and the signs that a child could be at risk.
PARENTING SUPPORT
Find resources to help you thrive in your role as a military parent by accessing the Military Parent Resource Center, with links to:
MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Relationships can sometimes be unhealthy or even abusive. Domestic abuse victim advocates with FAP are the first point of contact that can help. They can explain the options for reporting abuse, assess for risk, develop safety plans and link the person to other resources. These may include counseling and emotional support, emergency support services, and housing or financial and legal assistance.
FAP assessments, counseling and other services are designed to stop unhealthy or abusive behaviors, promote protective factors and reduce risk factors. Full FAP services are available to beneficiaries, and may also be available for nonbeneficiary intimate partners, to ensure they receive resources for continued care, though support is limited.
GETTING HELP FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
If you are in immediate danger in the United States, call 911, your local military law enforcement office or go to your nearest emergency room. For locations abroad, contact emergency services in your area.
Use the victim advocacy search tool to find the FAP victim advocate closest to you.
Use the local FAP office locator on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or chat with an advocate at thehotline.org.
Find information and resources via the VA military sexual trauma webpage if you experienced sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment during military service from someone you were NOT in a romantic relationship with.
HARMFUL BEHAVIOR STOPS HERE
If you’re treating your partner with more harm than heart, it’s time to take the first step to find support. It can help you and your relationship.
TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
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