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Congress will likely pass a law this year changing how sexual assault prosecutions are handled in the military, but lawmakers are now also questioning how another serious issue is handled in the ranks: Domestic violence.
Currently, commanders at the lowest levels have the authority to determine the initial disposition for domestic abuse cases within the military. However, a recent Government Accountability Office report found that domestic abuse training is not being properly conducted, and that some commanders and chaplains were sweeping cases under the rug.
“A Defense Department official told us that as of November 2020, officials were not aware of any initiatives within DoD to study risk associated with the current disposition model or the feasibility of potential alternatives. Performing such an assessment could provide the department and the military services with a better understanding of such risks and the resulting potential impact,” Brenda Farrell, dire
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WASHINGTON â Amy Logan first experienced physical abuse three years into her marriage to a sergeant major in the Army.
Logan was away from friends and family once she moved to a new military base, similar to many military spouses who are isolated and unaware of resources available to them.
One night, Loganâs husband at the time charged at her, grabbed her shoulders and his knee struck her in the leg after Logan attempted to discuss how her husband spoke down to their child for crying. A few days after the assault, Logan went with her child to a women s safe shelter and eventually filed for a divorce, she said.
Former Army spouse describes indifference, inaction on her domestic abuse complaint
The DOD recorded more than 40,000 domestic abuse incidents from 2015-2019. Most of those were physical abuse. The Pentagon is taking recommendations from the GAO. Author: Mike Gooding Updated: 7:02 PM EDT May 25, 2021
WASHINGTON The Department of Defense says domestic abuse is incompatible with military values and reduces mission readiness.
A former Army spouse told lawmakers on Tuesday the story of indifference and inaction she faced, when trying to report her ex-husband s abuse to his chain of command.
Amy Logan testified during the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Two years into our marriage, I realized I was in an emotionally and verbally abusive marriage, she said. Three years into our marriage, things turned physical.
A GAO report reveals more than 40,000 cases between 2015 and 2019. Author: Mike Gooding Updated: 6:54 PM EDT May 10, 2021
WASHINGTON Domestic abuse is a problem in civilian society, and it is also a major challenge in the military.
The Department of Defense recorded over 40,000 domestic abuse incidents involving military service members, spouses, or intimate partners from 2015 to 2019.
Of those, 74 percent were physical abuse, the rest were emotional and sexual abuse, and neglect.
In 2019 alone, the Army had 3,198 cases, the Air Force had 2,258 cases, the Navy had 1,695 cases and the Marine Corps had 904 cases. In DOD, domestic abuses are incompatible with military values and it reduces military readiness, said Brenda Farrell, a Director in the Government Accountability Office s Defense Capabilities and Management team.
DOD s Efforts to Combat Domestic Abuse DOD s Efforts to Combat Domestic Abuse
Thursday, May 6, 2021
DOD s Efforts to Combat Domestic Abuse
The Department of Defense says that domestic abuse is incompatible with the military s values and reduces military mission readiness. The DOD is required to record and report domestic abuse incidents to Congress to help inform military prevention efforts. But there are concerns about how this information is collected. We talk with GAO s Brenda Farrell to learn more.