CHILD MALTREATMENT - THE UNITED-STATES AIR FORCES RESPONSE

Families in the military are not immune to problems of child abuse and neglect, but few data have been disseminated which describe child mal treatment in the military. This article reports on the incidence of ch ild maltreatment in the United States Air Force by presenting descript ive data on over 19,587 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect which occurred over a 6-year period. Annual percentage increases in c hild maltreatment reports are discussed, as are substantiation rates f or child abuse and neglect. This article also describes the United Sta tes Air Force programs serving military personnel and their families t hroughout the world. A subset of cases are analyzed and offenders' and spouses' perceptions of the services received and the benefits derive d are reported.