Family Advocacy Program (FAP): Support for Military Families in Crisis

“MEDIC!”
Every one of us is trained to call out for help instantly if we, or someone else, is wounded in battle. Why then are we so slow to seek help if someone in our own family is suffering physical, mental, or emotional distress or abuse?

A recent study of domestic abuse in the military by the U.S. Government General Accountability Office found over 42,000 incidents of domestic abuse involving service members, spouses, or partners from 2015 to 2019. Of these reported cases,74% involved physical abuse, 22% were defined as emotional abuse, 4% were sexual abuse, and less than 1% was neglect. (Source: U.S. G.A.O. May 2021) While these statistics are dire, they are only the visible part of the problem. Many cases of abuse go unreported for years.

Whether it is from fear of the abusive individual or embarrassment, victims often suffer in silence. Until the abuse is identified and treated, the physical and emotional trauma it causes severely affects everyone in the family and may cause lifelong damage. Abusers rarely stop on their own.

To aid military families in stopping abuse, the Department of Defense has established the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) to address domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, and problematic sexual behavior in children and youth. FAP services are available at every military installation where families are assigned.

If you or someone you know may need support, you can quickly find your installation’s FAP service using the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS website. FAP advocates and counsellors focus on the safety of the individuals and families in the military community that may be at risk for or experiencing abuse.

By reaching out to their installation’s FAP Services, family members have access to trained domestic abuse victim advocates and clinicians that offer a wide range of services and programs to meet the unique needs of the victims.

Depending on the unique situation of those involved, FAP domestic abuse victim advocates and clinicians work with them to develop a plan to address unhealthy patterns of behavior or abuse in a relationship. Some of these services include:
- Active-duty service members and their partners who have or are expecting a baby may participate in the New Parent Support Program, which offers home visitation from a nurse or licensed social worker. Home visitors provide a variety of services tailored to each family and parent’s needs, including breastfeeding support, lessons on effective and safe parenting of infants and toddlers, tips for new fathers and more.
- Victim advocacy and support. Whether you need immediate help in a crisis or are seeking information about counseling for emotional safety and support, domestic abuse victim advocates and clinicians can work with you to develop a plan to address unhealthy patterns of behavior or abuse in a relationship.
- Treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation for service members who use violence or abuse in their relationships with spouses, partners or children. FAP works with the support of command to teach new and constructive ways of interacting, managing conflicts, and communicating. Counseling to address untreated trauma affecting those who harm the people they love, and one-on-one support to teach positive parenting techniques, are examples of FAP services.

As members of the military, we devote our lives to defending our nation. That defense should start with protecting the lives and well-being of those we love the most.

Call to Action If you are experiencing domestic abuse and are seeking help, visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS (https://rly.pt/3QWqLUy) to locate the closest Family Advocacy Program, or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (https://www.thehotline.org/) at [login to see] to be connected with an advocate for immediate emotional support and safety planning.

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger of assault or physical injury. If you are on a military installation, call your military law enforcement office.