Special Victim Services
Following a sexual assault, victims are often in a fragile state and unaware of their legal rights. The Army’s Special Victim Counsel Program was developed to strengthen support for victims of sexual assault and enhance their rights within our military justice system, while reducing unreasonable delay or infringing upon the rights of the accused. The role of a Special Victim Counsel (SVC) is to zealously represent the client's interests throughout the military justice process.
Special Victim Counsel are legal assistance attorneys who have received special training and are designated by The Judge Advocate General to serve as a SVC. Special Victim Counsel will provide zealous representation to clients. Constrained only by ethical limits, SVCs shall represent the best interests of their clients as appropriate even when their client’s interest do not align with those of the government of the United States. A SVC’s primary duty is to his/her client and no other person, organization or entity.
Special Victim Counsel are bound by applicable Army Regulations, the Army Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers, and the Rules of Practice Before Army Courts-Martial. Depending on the circumstances, they may also be bound by other laws, regulations, and instructions, as well as the ethics rules of their state bars.
Special Victim Counsel will empower victims, fostering victims’ understanding of the military justice process and aiding each victim with the legal assistance needed to allow full participation in applicable programs and services and the military justice process. This will be accomplished by providing effective and timely advice, being available to assist throughout the full spectrum of the military justice practice from initial investigation to convening authority action, and providing appropriate advocacy to assure rights afforded are fully realized.
If you have any questions or are in need of a SVC, consult the nearest Legal Assistance Office.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCES
Contact Your Area SARC 24/7
DoD Safe Helpline: 1-877-995-5247, USFK 24/7 Hotline DSN: 763-5700, USFK 24/7 Hotline from Stateside: 011-82-53-470-5700 or 011-82-503-363-5700, Website: www.sexualassault.army.mil