Team Mildenhall comes together to prevent child abuse

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England --  Team Mildenhall is active in taking care of its children and acknowledges that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Leadership is aware of the challenges faced by Airmen who have to leave behind their loved ones while they're deployed serving their country. There are programs in place to protect base children so their parents can focus on the mission, knowing their family is safe.

"At the Child Development Center and School Age Program we focus more on prevention measures for child abuse," said Christina Morris, 100th Force Support Squadron Training and Curriculum specialist originally from Waukegan, Illinois. "All staff members here are mandated reporters; we complete yearly trainings with Family Advocacy specifically on identification and reporting. During new employee orientation, staff must complete 24 hours of training before working with children. During this training, appropriate positive guidance techniques are covered as well as in depth training on identification and reporting of child abuse. Staff members are trained on prevention techniques to help families before it becomes a reportable incident. Staff members builds positive relationships with both the children and families in the program."

It's not entirely left to the CDC to report child abuse. Everyone can report if they feel a child may be at risk.

"People can reach out to a teacher, law enforcement, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Family Advocacy, Mental Health, a school counselor, a Military Family Life Consultant or a chaplain," explained Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Timothy Porter, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain from Lebanon, Oregon. "They have the right of privileged communication with a chaplain. The chapel offers a variety of spiritually based programs to equip couples, singles and families with communication and relationship enhancement skills. These include Marriage, Family and Single Care retreats and a variety of faith-based educational discussion classes and groups that are offered throughout the year."

Programs provide the tools to know what to look for, but there is no one sign that will alert someone that a child is being abused. The abused child may try to hide the signs if in fear of further punishment for speaking out but there are things to look out for.

"There are many signs or 'red flags' that can indicate a child is being abused, however, without talking to the child and finding out about his or her situation it will be difficult to determine," said Capt. Ingrid Gittens, 48th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy officer from San Antonio, Texas. "Some of the warning signs to look for include emotional abuse such as excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong; physical abuse such as frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts; or sexual abuse such as trouble walking or sitting, displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, seductive behavior, or makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person without an obvious reason or doesn't want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities."

It's vital to act fast if someone suspects a child is in danger.

"Provide a safe place for them and separate the child from the abuser," said Porter. "We can offer spiritual care and emotional support to anyone in need."

Family advocacy also plays a vital role in supporting children.

"The Family Advocacy Program is a congressionally mandated Department of Defense program designed to be the policy proponent for and a key element of the DoD's Coordinated Community Response system to prevent and respond to reports of child abuse or neglect and domestic abuse in military families -- in cooperation with civilian social service agencies and civilian law enforcement," said Gittens.

The Family Advocacy Program aims to stop abuse before it starts. There is no place for child abuse in society at all, and particularly in the Air Force family.

"Child abuse and domestic abuse or intimate partner violence are serious public health concerns, and within the military it negatively impacts the quality of life for our families as well as the mission readiness," Gittens explained. "Therefore FAPs primary focus is prevention in order to stop the violence before it starts, eliminate causes, address risk factors, and promote protective factors within the family unit." 

For more information; contact RAF Lakenheath Family Advocacy at DSN 226-8070, or commercial at 01638 528070; contact the RAF Mildenhall Chapel at DSN 238-2822, or commercial at 01638 542822; or contact the RAF Mildenhall CDC at DSN 238-2042 or commercial at 01638 542042.