Internally Peer Reviewed Concern for the welfare of Navy families and the affects of family dysfunction on military performance prompted the establishment of the Navy's Family Advocacy Program in 1976. Today, the Family Advocacy Program is designed to address prevention, identification, reporting and intervention, among other services, for those experiencing child and spouse abuse, while it also balances the need to protect the rights of both victims and offenders. The Navy's comprehensive response to family violence is designed to prevent or stop the violence and to minimize its impact on the family and the Navy. Family Advocacy Program cases are monitored to ensure victims of violence are safe and the offender is making progress in counseling. Case follow-up may take up to one year while resolving the conflict.
Family violence is a leadership issue.
Family violence occurs within all communities, including the Navy community. Family violence is disruptive and interferes with the work performance of the servicemember and thus with the mission of the Navy. Family violence and neglect are incompatible with the high standards of professional and personal discipline required of Navy members. Most perpetrators of family violence are not deviant or incorrigible, and many may be rehabilitated. Rehabilitation of a valued servicemember is most effective for the Navy.