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Child maltreatment: the United States Air Force's response
W W Mollerstrom1, M A Patchner, J S Milner
1HQ AFMOA/SGPS Family Advocacy Program, Brooks Air Force Base, TX 78235, USA.
Insights
Child abuse and neglect occur in military families, with over 19,587 substantiated cases in the U.S. Air Force over six years. This study analyzes trends, substantiation rates, and family services for child maltreatment within the military.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Military Medicine
- Child Welfare
Background:
- Child abuse and neglect are significant issues affecting families across all demographics, including military populations.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and characteristics of child maltreatment within military settings.
- Understanding these issues is crucial for developing targeted support systems for military families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the incidence of child maltreatment in the United States Air Force (USAF).
- To analyze trends in child maltreatment reports and substantiation rates over a six-year period.
- To describe USAF programs for families and assess perceptions of services received.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive analysis of 19,587 substantiated child abuse and neglect cases within the USAF over six years.
- Examination of annual percentage increases in maltreatment reports and substantiation rates.
- Qualitative analysis of a subset of cases, including offender and spouse perceptions of services.
Main Results:
- Significant numbers of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases were identified within the USAF.
- Trends in reporting and substantiation rates were observed over the study period.
- Insights into the utilization and perceived benefits of USAF family support programs were gathered.
Conclusions:
- Child maltreatment is a present concern within the U.S. Air Force, necessitating ongoing attention and resources.
- Data on incidence and trends can inform the development and improvement of military family support services.
- Understanding service perceptions is vital for enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for child abuse and neglect in military families.
Abstract:
Families in the military are not immune to problems of child abuse and neglect, but few data have been disseminated which describe child maltreatment in the military. This article reports on the incidence of child maltreatment in the United States Air Force by presenting descriptive data on over 19,587 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect which occurred over a 6-year period. Annual percentage increases in child maltreatment reports are discussed, as are substantiation rates for child abuse and neglect. This article also describes the United States Air Force programs serving military personnel and their families throughout the world. A subset of cases are analyzed and offenders' and spouses' perceptions of the services received and the benefits derived are reported.