Summary: The military investigated about 64,000 alleged incidents of spousal abuse and about 50,000 incidents of child abuse during fiscal years 1997 through 1999. About 43,000 cases of spousal abuse and 26,000 cases of child abuse were substantiated. Defense Department (DOD) officials estimate, however, that many incidents of spousal and child abuse go unreported. One key reason for underreporting is that spouses fear that reporting abuse would harm the military member's career. Military dependents are afforded limited confidentiality in reporting spousal or child abuse. A military dependent seeking counseling cannot be certain that the information provided will remain confidential. DOD officials said that commanders are held accountable for the safety of alleged victims of family violence and would be unable to fulfill this responsibility unless they were told about the incidents. The law requires DOD to establish policies and procedures to protect the confidentiality of dependent communications with service providers and to send Congress a report by January 21, 2000, on the steps it has taken. DOD did not meet the reporting deadline. Before it can prepare the report, DOD believes that it must first address several issues, including the privacy of electronic medical records and conversations between patients and psychotherapists.
