Research shows that early intervention allows families to make positive and sustainable changes. Research also indicates that without education and intervention, abuse will increase and persist.

We encourage anyone experiencing abuse to seek help immediately.

What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic Abuse is defined as a pattern of behavior resulting in emotional/psychological abuse, economic control, and/or interference with personal liberty that is directed toward a person who is:

• A current or former spouse
• A person with whom the abuser shares a child in common; or
• A current or former intimate partner with whom the abuser shares or has shared common domicile.

What is Child Abuse?

Childhood abuse takes many forms, physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, Shaken Baby Syndrome, bullying, exploitation, and trafficking. When we speak of child abuse, we normally think of physical abuse, spankings, and so on, but the shocking truth is that neglect is the number one form of child abuse in the U.S.

• Physical Abuse: Any non-accidental injury to a child
• Emotional Abuse: Any attitude or behavior, which interferes with a child’s mental health or social development
• Neglect: Failure to provide for a child’s physical needs
• Sexual Abuse: Any sexual act between an adult and a child

Victim advocates are available to offer support services to victims of spousal/intimate partner domestic abuse or sexual assault, as well as support services to non-offending parents in child abuse incidents. They advocate for victim’s rights and needs, while informing them of reporting options assisting them with staying safe, serving as a liaison between the victim and Command, and offering continued support. Victim assistance is also available through the law enforcement, medical, and legal process. Victim Advocate Office Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm (760) 577-6533. After hours please contact: 24 Hour Emergency Assistance for Domestic Violence including Spousal Sexual Abuse at (760) 577-6484.

Unrestricted
Victims of domestic violence who want to pursue an official investigation of an incident should use current reporting channels, such as their 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. In addition, the healthcare provider will conduct any forensic medical examination deemed appropriate, at the victim’s discretion and request. All reports of child abuse are unrestricted reports.

Restricted
Restricted reporting allows an adult victim of domestic abuse to disclose the details of his or her abuse to specifically identified individuals and to receive medical treatment and victim advocacy services without requiring that notice be provided to the victim’s or alleged offender’s commander or law enforcement. Victims of domestic abuse who desire to make a restricted report under the policy Must report the abuse to one of the following individuals: FAP clinician, Victim Advocate or Victim Advocate supervisor, or DoD healthcare provider.

Exceptions
Exceptions to confidentiality and restricted reporting and limitations on use-information regarding a restricted report may be disclosed to the following persons or entities for the following reasons:

• Named individuals when disclosure is authorized by the victim in writing
• Command officials or law enforcement when necessary to prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the health or safety of the victim or another person.
• FAP and any other agencies authorized by law to receive reports of child abuse or neglect when, as a result of the victim’s disclosure, the Victim Advocate or healthcare provider has a reasonable belief that child abuse has also occurred. However, disclosure will be limited only to information related to the child abuse.
• Disability Retirement Boards and officials when disclosure by a healthcare provider is required for fitness for duty for disability retirement determinations, limited only to that information which is necessary to process the disability retirement determination.
• Supervisors of the Victim Advocate or healthcare provider when disclosure is required for the supervision of direct victim treatment of services.
• Military or civilian courts of competent jurisdiction when a military, Federal or State judge issues a subpoena for the covered communications to be presented to the court or to other officials or entities when the judge orders such disclosure; or to other officials or entities when required by Federal or State statute or applicable U.S. international agreement.