7 FAM 160
FAMILY ABUSE SITUATIONS
(CT:CON-1005; 04-09-2024)
(Office of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 161 SUMMARY
(CT:CON-936; 10-20-2022)
It is not unusual for posts to encounter situations involving allegations of abusive family relationships. This may include troubled marriages, domestic violence, child abuse and even elder abuse. The traditional consular role of conducting welfare and whereabouts checks is more complicated in these cases. You are not simply being asked to locate a citizen/national and confirm that they are all right and ask the person to contact their family in the United States. When a post or the Department receives an allegation of family abuse and we are asked to conduct a welfare and whereabouts check, we must consider whether a visit by the consular officer could put the person in greater danger, and whether it would be appropriate to seek assistance from the host government. Consular officers are not professional social workers, even if individual officers have background in that field. We cannot compel a family to permit a consular officer to observe a citizen or national or inspect the household, school, etc. The family’s cooperation with consular officers is purely voluntary. Nevertheless, there are cases where it is imperative that the consular officer act quickly. This frequently requires close coordination with the host government. CA/OCS is available to assist you 24/7 in critical cases.
7 FAM 162 REPORTS OF FAMILY ABUSE
(CT:CON-1005; 04-09-2024)
Reports of family abuse situations usually come to a post’s attention from the alleged victim, relatives in the United States, neighbors, teachers, physicians or local police authorities. Consular officers should:
(1) Report such cases to CA/OCS/ACS as soon as possible;
(2) Review 7 FAM 1900 Crime Victim Assistance and resources on the Crime Victim Assistance pages on the CA/OCS Intranet site;
(3) Review 7 FAM 1700 Safety and Protection of Minors;
(4) Review 7 FAM 500 Federal Benefits for guidance on representative payees for elderly federal benefits recipients; and
(5) Review 7 FAM 300 guidance on medical and financial assistance;
(6) Review 7 FAM 2040 concerning refuge; and
7 FAM 163 REPATRIATION AND RESETTLEMENT
(CT:CON-1005; 04-09-2024)
If repatriation or resettlement is necessary, the Department will coordinate with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response(HHS/ACF/OHSEPR), and its service provider, International Social Services, USA, (ISS/USA) to facilitate assistance in the United States. (See 7 FAM 300.)
7 FAM 164 through 169 Unassigned.