By Trend News Line 2024-06-13 12:00:00.
**Army Audit Reveals Shocking Oversight in Domestic Violence Cases**
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In a recent Army audit obtained by the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), it was revealed that thousands of domestic violence incidents involving soldiers fell through the cracks without proper oversight. This failure resulted in cases where victims were re-harmed and even killed by perpetrators who had already been identified as abusers. The audit, shared with Task & Purpose, found that the Army didn’t properly track thousands of domestic abuse reports in two different tracking databases and failed to enforce relevant training among its soldiers, leading to repeated domestic abuse.
**Tragic Deaths Linked to Repeat Offenders**
The audit uncovered that 13% of military domestic abuse cases are committed by repeat offenders. Shockingly, the report revealed that in fiscal year 2022, fourteen people lost their lives due to domestic abuse linked to service members. Even more disturbing is the fact that five of these deaths were caused by individuals who had been previously reported for abuse. Among those who tragically lost their lives, four had previously reported abuse.
**Undercounting and Data Discrepancies**
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At the heart of the issue is the discrepancies between the Army’s two tracking databases: the Family Advocacy System of Records (FASOR) and the Army Law Enforcement Reporting and Tracking System (ALERTS). The audit found that more than 4,000 domestic violence incidents between fiscal years 2019 and 2021 were not properly counted in these systems. This undercounting not only increased the risk of offenders escaping accountability but also meant less funding was allocated towards prevention efforts.
**Revising Regulations to Address Inconsistencies**
In response to the audit’s findings, the Army is currently revising the regulation governing the usage of these databases under the Army Family Advocacy Program. Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Castro, a spokesperson for Army headquarters, stated that the Army aims to identify and rectify any inconsistencies between the two databases. However, more recent documentation of policy or procedural updates to address the data tracking problems was not provided.
**Challenges Faced by Survivors**
The difficulties faced by survivors in reporting domestic violence incidents were also highlighted in the audit. Abuse survivors, especially those married to active-duty military members, often face tough decisions when considering reporting abuse. The fear of repercussions such as denial of promotions or reenlistment can deter survivors from coming forward and seeking help.
**Repeat Offenders and Lack of Training**
The audit found that as many as 13% of domestic violence incidents were perpetrated by repeat offenders. This was linked to a lack of training, enforcement of treatment plans, and monitoring of high-risk soldiers with multiple offenses. Shockingly, more than 35% of soldiers did not receive the required annual domestic abuse prevention training, and 36% of repeat offenders had not completed their treatment plans as required.
**Moving Towards Accountability**
While the audit’s findings are indeed troubling, they shed light on the urgent need for better tracking and enforcement of domestic violence cases within the military. The Army’s efforts to revise regulations and address inconsistencies in data tracking are crucial steps towards ensuring accountability and preventing further tragedies. As the Army works towards improving its handling of domestic abuse cases, survivors and advocates alike are hopeful for a future where victims receive the support and protection they deserve..
– Army undercounted domestic abuse cases
– Army domestic abuse reporting discrepancies.
