U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities to prevent and respond to domestic abuse and child abuse and neglect among America’s military families would be expanded under a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH).
“I’m proud to introduce this critical legislation and remain committed to working across the aisle to reduce domestic violence and abuse in our military,” Rep. Joyce said. “Those who wear our nation’s uniform, and their families, deserve nothing less.”
The Military Family Violence Prevention Act, H.R. 2146, was introduced on March 23 by Rep. Joyce and bill cosponsor U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH). U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) on the same day introduced companion legislation S. 906 in their chamber.
If enacted, the bill would ensure that the DOD’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is properly resourced and staffed so that it may improve coordination of the program on military installations, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Joyce’s office, which noted that the FAP is responsible for prevention, education and treatment related to domestic abuse in the military.
Also under the bill, the FAP would be tasked with increasing education for service members and families about the program in efforts to more quickly intervene and prevent domestic violence and abuse in the military, the summary says.
“No one should have to experience any form of domestic violence or abuse, especially those who sacrifice so much to serve our country,” said Rep. Joyce. “We can and must do more to foster safe environments for reporting incidents, ensure resources and counseling are accessible to vulnerable individuals, and provide safety for affected service members and their loved ones.”
The bill also would create a pilot program to educate spouses about the FAP when they enroll in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and require that each Service Secretary establish a procedure to inform service members’ families about resources available to prevent violence, abuse and neglect, among other provisions stated in the summary.