Family Advocacy Program – The Essentials

The Family Advocacy Program is the Department of Defense program designated to address domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, and problematic sexual behavior in children and youth. FAP works on every military installation where families are assigned, and supports service members and their spouses, partners and families to prevent abuse, promote victim safety and offer treatment and rehabilitation for healing after a traumatic event has occurred.

Learn more about how FAP works, how to get help and additional options for assistance in the event you, your child or someone you care about is impacted by violence or abuse.

How the Family Advocacy Program works

Relevant Articles:

• The Family Advocacy Program
• The New Parent Support Program

Domestic abuse and intimate partner violence

The DOD does not tolerate domestic abuse, and the military community respects, supports and defends victims of abuse. Through FAP, each of the military services is committed to promoting a culture of support for victims, and works with service members and their families to promote the rehabilitation of individuals who use violence in their relationships by teaching them healthy behaviors. Victim safety is always the No. 1 priority.

Understanding the military response to domestic abuse

• Domestic Abuse Military Reporting Options
• Domestic Violence in the Military (written with the National Network to End Domestic Violence)
• Addressing and Preventing Sexual Abuse Between Intimate Partners

Getting help for domestic abuse and intimate partner violence

• Use the victim advocacy search tool to find the FAP victim advocate closest to you
• Call Military OneSource to be connected to your nearest FAP, 800-342-9647
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or chat with an advocate at thehotline.org

More about domestic abuse and intimate partner violence:

Relevant Articles:

• Technology Mis(Use) and Your Relationship
• Top Four Tips for Cellphone Safety
• How to Document Evidence of Technology Misuse by Your Partner

Child abuse and neglect

The DOD does not tolerate child abuse or neglect, and is dedicated to ensuring the safety of every child in the military community. Through FAP, each of the military services works with service members and their families to promote nurturing, healthy environments for children and youth. When child maltreatment does occur, FAP swiftly responds and works with child protective services, command, parents, and law enforcement to secure the child’s safety.

Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect

Relevant Resources:

• Signs of Child Abuse
• How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect in the Military
• Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Flyer

Getting help for child abuse and neglect

• Department of Defense Child Abuse and Safety Hotline: 877-790-1197
• Local FAP office locator on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233

Problematic sexual behavior in children and youth

A new DOD policy expands the responsibility of its FAP to include addressing problematic sexual behavior in children and youth. This is defined as behavior, initiated by children and youth under the age of 18, that involves using sexual or private body parts in a manner that is developmentally inappropriate or potentially harmful to the individual or the individuals impacted by the behavior.

Identifying and reporting Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth

• Healthy Sexual Behaviors in Children
• Teach Your Kids Healthy Body Boundaries

Getting help for PSB-CY

• Local FAP office locator on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS