What is Family Advocacy? This program is a Department
of Defense initiative for the prevention, education, intervention and treatment
of child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, spouse abuse and
sexual assault. How does it work? When a suspected case of
abuse occurs it is reported to the Family Advocacy Representative
(FAR). It is the responsibility of the FAR to investigate and track
all cases of abuse. Will one person decide a
case? NO!!! After the investigation a sub-committee will
review the case. The sub-committee is chaired by a medical office and
consists of the FAR, physicians, counselors and investigative
personnel. The sub-committee will decide if the charges are founded,
unfounded, suspected or high risk. The sub-committee then recommends a plan of
action to the servicemember's Commanding Officer. The goal of the
program is to protect victims, strengthen families and keep valuable service
members in the Navy. DOD HOTLINE FOR CHILD ABUSE 1-800-336-4592
National Hotline for Child Abuse & Neglect 1-800-4A-Child