A Victims’ Counsel (VC), formerly known as a Special Victims’ Counsel, is a military attorney who specializes in representing victims of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, stalking, and similar crimes. The VC office consists of an attorney and a paralegal, both of whom have experience in the military justice system and work independently of their local command.

The VC has three roles: (1) Advise a victim by developing the victim’s understanding of the complex military justice system; (2) Empower the victim by removing barriers to their full participation in the military justice system; and (3) Advocate for the victim by protecting their rights.  VC services include the following:

• Guiding clients through criminal investigations and attending OSI interviews
• Assistance with Military and Civilian Protective Orders
• Expedited and Humanitarian Transfers
• Nonrated periods for Performance Statements
• Representation at Article 32 Hearings
• Providing victim input on disposition
• Representation at courts-martials
• Representation at discharge boards
• Assistance with victim compensation programs to include transitional compensation
• Appellate representation
• Assistance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
• Assistance with IG, EO, Article 138, and Congressional Complaints

Victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and other similar crimes have the following rights pursuant to Article 6b, Uniform Code of Military Justice:

1. The right to be reasonably protected from the accused;
2. The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of specific public hearings such has a preliminary hearing or court-martial;
3. The right not to be excluded from any proceeding described above;
4. The right to be reasonably heard at public proceedings concerning pre-trial confinement, sentencing hearing, or clemency and parole board public proceeding;
5. The reasonable right to confer with the counsel representing the Government at any proceeding described above;
6. The right to receive restitution as provided in law;
7. The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;
8. The right to be informed of alternate disposition or non-prosecution; and
9. The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for dignity and privacy of a victim.