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HomeResourcesSpecial Victims' Counsel

What is a Special Victims' Counsel?

A Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC) and Special Victims’ Paralegal (SVP) team provides legal representation for sexual assault survivors. SVCs must be requested by the victim and are granted in cases where the person requesting services meets eligibility criteria, or when exceptional circumstances warrant the provision of services.

The Special Victims' Counsel and Special Victims' Paralegal will vigorously defend your rights to privacy, respect, and confidentiality.

The SVC team can advocate for your rights and interests to your Chain of Command, law enforcement, and throughout the Military Justice process.

SVC and SVP teams have an independent chain of command at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

Restricted Reporting

Restricted: is confidential, does not trigger an investigation or command involvement, and allows the victim to access these supportive service options:


  • Advocacy Services (support, information, referral, and accompaniment)
  • Medical/Counseling Services
  • Special Victims’ Counsel

A victim can choose to convert a Restricted Report to Unrestricted at any time. However, once an Unrestricted Report is made, the restricted option is no longer available.

Local SVC Team

SVCs like Area Defense Counsel (ADCs) are assigned based on availability.  This means that your local SVC team will not always be assigned to your case; however, your local team can always provide information and training, and receive and process requests for services. The Special Victims' Counsel and Special Victims’ Paralegal team stationed at Vandenberg SFB serves Vandenberg SFB, March ARB, Los Angeles AFB, Edwards AFB and the surrounding areas of Central and Southern California. 

Unrestricted Reporting

Unrestricted: starts an official law enforcement investigation, enlists the support of the chain of command, and provides a victim with access to ALL supportive service options:

  • Advocacy Services (support, information, referral, and accompaniment)
  • Medical/Counseling Services
  • Victims' Legal Counsel
  • Law Enforcement Notification/Investigation
  • Command Notification/Support
  • Military Protective Order
  • Expedited Transfer

sexual assault survivor support

  • Represent YOU and YOU ALONE
  • Provide CONFIDENTIAL legal advice
  • Protect YOUR rights & privacy interests
  • Advise YOU on the Investigation & Prosecution
  • Attend interviews with YOU
  • Attend Hearings & Courts-Martial with YOU
  • Provide case-related Legal Assistance (in personal, civil matters)

Location/Faqs

The Special Victims’ Counsel Office is located in Building 10525 with the Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR), Equal Opportunity (EO) and Inspector General (IG) Offices, next to Headquarters and across from the Pacific Coast Club.

Request SVC Support

- Contact your local SVC, SARC/SAPR Office, Family Advocacy, or Legal Office (Legal Office is only an option for UNRESTRICTED cases)

- SVC (805) 606-1521

- SARC (805) 606-7272

- Family Advocacy Program (FAP) (805) 606-8217

- Restricted reports–go to the SVC/SARC/FAP to ensure the report remains confidential

helpful numbers

 

Vandenberg SFB, CA
SARC: (805) 606-7272
Mental Health:  (805) 606-2273
Chaplain: (805) 606-5573

March ARB, CA
SARC:  (951) 655-7272
Mental Health:  (951) 655-2773
Chaplain:  (951) 655-4105

Edwards AFB, CA
SARC: (661) 277-7272
Mental Health: (661) 275-2725
Chaplain:  (661) 277-4310

Los Angeles AFB, CA
SARC:  (310) 653-7272
Mental Health:  (310) 633-6653
Chaplain:  (310) 653-5080