MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Changes in how the Air Force defines child and spouse maltreatment have eliminated much subjectivity from the process of determining whether abuse or neglect occurred, according to Misawa Family Advocacy officials.
The new definitions were rolled out Air Force-wide in October, though Misawa was one of several test bases for the revamped criteria starting in 2003.
“I think that the new definitions provide a very clear, consistent basis for what is and isn’t” abuse, said Rochelle Phelps, Family Advocacy outreach manager. “I think everyone can look at the definitions and tell whether something meets the criteria.”
The new guidelines fall under four categories of child and spouse maltreatment: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.
In order to substantiate an act of abuse, officials must verify that a nonaccidental act occurred, and there was significant physical or emotional impact or the potential for such, Phelps said. The exception is sexual maltreatment, where an act needs only to be attempted or completed, she said.
Now, for example, visible physical injuries are not necessary to substantiate abuse.
“Before, a lot of times if there weren’t any physical injuries, it didn’t get substantiated and maybe it should have been,” Phelps said. “In family violence, a lot of times, you can’t tell” by looking.
Under the revised standards, nonaccidental use of physical force by a child’s caregiver includes spanking with a hand; hitting with a stick, strap or other object; scratching, pinching, restraining, throwing, biting or kicking. The second criteria of significant impact could be met if there was considerable physical injury, such as welts, or facial or head injuries; reasonable potential for a significant injury; or an extreme fear reaction.
Phelps, who is spreading the word about the changes to servicemembers at squadron and group commanders’ calls, said military personnel seem most concerned about child discipline and corporal punishment.
The new guidelines don’t forbid corporal punishment outright, Phelps said, as long as it’s done appropriately.
Family Advocacy, however, doesn’t recommend corporal punishment, instead stressing other forms of discipline such as taking away privileges, officials said. But, “if you are going to spank, we tell folks to use an open hand, with clothes on, and spank on the fleshy part of the bottom,” said Capt. Philip Miller, Family Advocacy officer at Misawa.
A parent using a belt, for example, to discipline his or her child, could get into trouble if the child squirmed and a mark was left on the face, Miller said.
Previously, intent might be considered, Miller said. “Did they mean to put a bruise on the child? All of that doesn’t matter with these new definitions.”
At Misawa, alleged abuse cases are substantiated by the Central Registry Board, or CRB, which replaced the former Family Maltreatment Case Management Team in December.
Nine Air Force bases now use the CRB, and it’s to expand to 30 in the next two to three years, Phelps said, with Misawa the only Pacific Air Forces base so far. The board meets monthly to review cases, Phelps said.
“Before, there was a lot of variation from base to base on what kind of cases got substantiated,” Miller said.
“Really, there wasn’t a lot of objectivity. Now personalities have been taken out of the decision-making process.”
