Military toolkit

Resources for Military and their families:

If you or someone you know needs help with a domestic violence issue, free tools for accessing immediate assistance are available 24/7 by contacting:

  • 911 if you feel that you or a loved one is in immediate danger
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  • Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 to locate a victim advocate in your area
  • The Psychological Health Resource Center through Real Warriors Live Chat or by calling 1-866-966-1020 to talk to a trained health resource consultant

If your children ever appear to be in danger, contact the Department of Defense (DoD) Child Abuse Safety and Violation Hotline at 800-336-4592 to report violence.
You can use the above tools as a first step in finding resources to help protect your family and assist the aggressor’s recovery. Treatments such as individual counseling, couples counseling or anger management therapy may be recommended for servicemembers, family members or caregivers

Reporting Child Abuse

Reporting child abuse only takes a minute. Err on the side of safety. If you think a child is being abused, report it today. Reporting is a way to prevent further abuse and get the family the help they need. Everyone has a moral obligation and, in many cases, a legal responsibility to take action to stop abuse. Here are some ways you can help.
Call 911 or the military police if you witness violence or know someone is in immediate danger.
Report suspected child abuse

Military Reporting Options

If, and when, you’re ready to make an unrestricted report to law enforcement, you may contact the Family Advocacy Program, military police or chain of command. Making an unrestricted report provides you with:

  • Law enforcement investigation of an abuse incident
  • Command notification and potential administrative
  • action against the offender
  • Support and protection from the command
  • Victim advocacy services
  • Information on legal rights
  • Assistance in applying for transitional compensation, if applicable
    In an abusive relationship, deciding what to do is not easy. But knowing your options is the first step toward ending abuse and creating a safer and happier life.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to locate the closest Family Advocacy Program or contact the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).

Resources:

Domestic Abuse: Military Reporting Options
Military OneSource
Explains how to report domestic abuse through the Family Advocacy Program. This resource details specific steps that can be taken in order to ensure the safety of the domestic abuse victim, including confidentiality, counseling services, and safety plans.
Domestic Violence Resources for Military Families
Real Warriors
Outlines steps that military spouses can take to address violence in their families.
The Family Advocacy Program
Military OneSource
Links visitors to family advocacy service providers and resources to assist service members and their families find information about family safety.
Intimate Partner Violence
National Center for PTSD (2015)
Explains various indications of intimate partner violence, including a list of relationship red flags.
Military & Veterans Advocacy Program
Battered Women’s Justice Project (2018)
Provides technical assistance, resources, and support for all advocates, military and civilian, who serve military and veteran families and work with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence perpetrated by military personnel or veterans

Advocacy Program:

The Military & Veterans Advocacy Program, funded through a grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women, provides specialized training, technical assistance and resources to improve outcomes for military-related intimate partner violence and military sexual assault survivors and their families. Project activities focus on:

  • Answering inquiries regarding military-related intimate partner violence and connecting victims and survivors to available resources and assistance.
  • Enhancing the capacity of civilian and military advocates to provide appropriate support, interventions, and advocacy to military-related victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
  • Improving collaboration between military and civilian systems that respond to these crimes.
  • Educating civilian and military systems about the intersection of combat-related conditions with intimate partner violence.
  • Fostering meaningful partnerships among government agencies and organizations that develop or administer public policy on issues that affect victims of military-related domestic and sexual violence.

 

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