BRIGADIER GENERAL'S POLICY ON CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD MALTREATMENT

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region are joining the Department of Defense Campaign to "Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence." Domestic abuse and child maltreatment are incompatible with readiness, the maintenance of high standards of performance, and military discipline.

Dr. David S.C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, states that: "Domestic Violence is a crime that ruins families, weakens communities and undermines military readiness. The fewer Marines involved with domestic abuse, the less time all levels of the chain of command have to spend on investigations, measures to protect victims, and rehabilitation programs for offenders."

Preventing abuse, protecting victims, and holding offenders accountable for their actions are required leadership responsibilities of all Marine Corps leaders. Leaders should report all reasonable suspicions and reported incidents of domestic violence and child maltreatment to the proper agencies or authorities. Abuse affects the entire family, is preventable, and is often treatable if addressed proactively and comprehensively. When responding to domestic abuse and child maltreatment incidents, a coordinated community response is required. A coordinated community response brings together all critical responders and will provide the greatest degree of safety to victims and holds abusers accountable for their behavior.

Domestic violence and child maltreatment can happen to someone of any race, age, religion or gender and can affect people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, education levels and military ranks. The Marine Corps has many Life Skills education programs and Counseling Services that can strengthen individuals and family functioning. All Depot Marines will avail themselves to these prevention services through various Marine Corps Community Services Programs and contracted services such as Military One Source. Victims of domestic abuse will receive victim advocacy services including danger assessment, safety planning, and support by qualified individuals. Victims can receive confidential medical and counseling services if a restricted report of a domestic abuse incident is requested from a Victim Advocate or Family Advocacy Counselor. There are exceptions to a restricted report that will be explained by the Victim Advocate or Family Advocacy Counselor.

With this policy statement, I am calling on all Marines who are part of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and the Western Recruiting Region to "Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence." Domestic violence and child maltreatment will not be tolerated. All Depot and Western Recruiting Region personnel will prevent domestic abuse and child maltreatment through educational awareness and pro-active counseling. They will support victims, hold offenders accountable and utilize a coordinated community response when responding to domestic violence and child maltreatment.