Leaders Guide - Child Maltreatment

Most reports of child maltreatment come from military or civilian law enforcement or the Military Treatment Facility, although a fair number come from concerned neighbors and childcare providers. Some Marines or their family members may self-report either to the command or Family Advocacy. Regardless of the source of the report, activating the coordinated community response (Provost Marshall's Office, Family Advocacy Program, Medical Treatment Facility) is essential to ensure the victim and any other children are adequately assessed and that a safety plan is in place. When a report is received, the first priority is to ensure safety for all those involved.

What to Look For

Official report is received from Provost Marshall's Office (PMO) or Family Advocacy Program (FAP).
Report by victim or others is made to an official agency or to the command.
Admission by perpetrator.
Other incident reports that suggest abuse or neglect may have occurred, such as when they contain the following:
- Indications of non-accidental use of physical force: pushing, shoving, grabbing, kicking, restraining, hitting, slapping, biting, hair pulling, shaken baby syndrome, threatened use or use of a weapon, etc.
- Indications of emotional abuse: isolating from normal developmental activities, threatening to harm or actually harming pets or loved ones, throwing things, destroying property, ridiculing, berating, etc.
- Indications of child sexual assault, rape, or incest.
- Indications of neglect of basic necessities: food, clothing, medical/dental care, education, and supervision.

What to Do

If the incident has not been reported to proper authorities, report information to Provost Marshall's Office (PMO) and the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) or the local Child Protective Services (CPS). Notifying CPS is a command responsibility if the Marine involved is assigned to independent duty or at a geographically separated unit.
If the incident involves serious injury or death, or institutional child abuse, the FAP Manager must notify CMC (MRRO) by telephone within 24 hours. This is a command responsibility if the Marine involved is assigned to a geographically separated unit or is on independent duty.
Ensure the victim and all other children in the family are medically examined if appropriate.
Ensure a safety plan is in place for all the children.
Issue a Child Removal Order (CRO) if appropriate.
Ensure the Marine involved is seen by FAP within 24 hours of the report if possible or the next duty day.
If there are weapons in the home, ensure PMO removes the weapons until safety for all involved can be assessed and assured.
Ensure the command representative to the Case Review Committee (CRC) is informed of the incident.
Ensure the incident is fully investigated and the Marine and family members are assessed. In particular if a new mother appears to be suffering from post-partum depression, ensure she is medically assessed as soon as possible.
At duty stations without a FAP, report the abuse to the designated Family Advocacy Program Officer (FAPO), the appropriate law enforcement agency, or Child Protective Services (CPS). Notify the local law enforcement agency in the county or city where the child resides or the abuse is occurring.

What to Avoid

Forming conclusions about an incident before all the information is obtained.
Obtaining information only from the Marine involved.
Assuming emotional abuse should not be taken seriously. Although the injury is not visible as in physical abuse, emotional abuse can have long-lasting psychological consequences for child victims. Even when physical abuse stops, if the offender has not been in treatment, emotional abuse such as name-calling, berating, terrorizing through threats of abuse or abandonment can continue with devastating impact to the victim.
Not activating the coordinated community response by notifying the other agencies such as PMO or FAP and ensuring all children in the home are properly assessed.
Appointing or sending a command representative to the Community Response Coordinator (CRC) who has not been trained in child abuse and the CRC process.
Not holding the offender accountable for actions.

What to Expect after Taking Action

After an incident is reported, command can expect a thorough assessment by the FAP, CPS, MTF and law enforcement. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) may become involved in serious abuse cases and is involved in all child sexual abuse cases.
As part of the assessment and investigation, conflicting information may surface from the parents or they may give an implausible or suspicious explanation for an injury.
Victims will sometimes recant and/or ask to be reunited with their parents, especially if they fear retaliation from the offender or fear they or a parent will be removed from the home. Recantation alone should not be used to determine if a victim is telling the truth.
Offenders often deny, minimize or blame the victim for the abuse. They can appear cool, calm, collected and in control.
Victims can react with fear, anger, confusion, and cling to an abusive parent. A victim's behavior should not detract the command from holding the offender accountable for unacceptable behavior.
Once the assessment is completed, Family Advocacy will be in regular contact with the command to provide ongoing information about the assessment and any recommended treatment.
The incident will go before the Case Review Committee (CRC) within 30 days of the initial investigation for incident status determination.
A command representative, as a voting member of the CRC, will be required to attend the CRC or the incident will be tabled.
The CRC will notify the command in writing within 7 days of the CRC of the status determination and treatment recommendations.
Family Advocacy relies on the command to support treatment recommendations.
If the incident is substantiated, the CRC will review the case every three months.

Troubleshooting

A major challenge for command especially during high optempo is to monitor the Marine's participation in treatment. Regularly communicating with the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) and ensuring the command representative attends all Case Review Committee (CRC) meetings will assist the command to stay abreast of important changes.
Although the Marine may be in treatment, a spouse may refuse to participate. This can be extremely frustrating for the Marine and impede progress. Encouraging the Marine to focus on personal treatment goals will help the Marine to be successful.
The child maltreatment may take time to resolve and subsequent incidents may occur. Attention to safety throughout the time the case is open is critical to ensure that the children remain safe from further abuse. Treatment alone is rarely a sufficient safety plan. Some type of monitoring is a necessary component of any type of safety plan.