Special Victims Counsel available here for victims of sexual assault Published June 19, 2013 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE Wash, -- Earlier this year, the Air Force spearheaded a pilot program for the Department of Defense which provides special counsel to victims of sexual assault. The Special Victims Counsel is currently composed of 60 specially-trained military lawyers. The SVC Program gives sexual assault victims legal assistance and helps them navigate the criminal justice system with lawyers trained to handle their unique needs and advocate for victims' rights. At Fairchild, the SVC is Capt.Sarabeth Moore. "My role as an SVC is to assist and educate my client throughout the investigatory and trial process, a process which can be difficult and invasive at times," Moore said. "Providing this service to victims will result in a more robust opportunity for victims to be heard, to retain and take advantage of their rights and enhance the military justice system while neither causing unreasonable delay, nor infringing upon the rights of an accused." The goals of the SVC program are to increase reporting of sexual assaults, empower victims by removing barriers ensuring their full participation in the military justice process and build and sustain victim resiliency. Eligibility for the SVC services is available to several groups of individuals. Counsel is provided to any Air Force member on active duty orders, regardless of the perpetrator. Entry-level status Airmen in an unprofessional relationships involving physical contact of a sexual nature by faculty or instructor may also qualify for the program. Members of other branches are also eligible if the perpetrator is an Air Force member. The SVC program is another tool for the victim and augments the services provided by the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "This is another invaluable tool Fairchild has to assist victims of sexual assault," said Jessica Bradshaw, 92nd Air Refueling Wing SARC. "Having this level of support provides a certain comfort level for victims of this crime - knowing they have a full spectrum of services." Moore received specialized training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. to become the Fairchild's SVC. The training included briefings detailing the role of the SVC during trial and potential post trial events, discussions on how to effectively interact with their clients and exercises demonstrating how to advocate the needs of clients during a court martial. The training also focused on how to cultivate interpersonal relations, be empathetic and afford potential clients as much control over the situation and outcome as possible. Moore recalls a case she handled as an SVC and how the training she received helped her. "After a lengthy investigation process and trial where my client had to take the stand and talk about this incredibly personal and invasive thing that happened to her, she did not get the result she had hoped for - she was devastated," Moore said. "Initially I felt like I had failed her. However, shortly after the trial her husband approached me. He told me how much having me there meant to his wife. That she felt she had a voice in the system and the court listened to her, that she had someone to call with questions that someone was in her corner. He thanked me then took a step back and saluted me, not because customs and courtesies required it, but as a sign of gratitude. "It was an incredibly moving moment and it was then that I realized this program isn't about outcomes, it is about people - victims' rights are not about ensuring a conviction, they are about promoting respect, dignity and meaningful participation in the justice system." SVC services can include: Advocacy to military justice actors, including commanders, convening authorities, investigators, trial counsel, and defense counsel on behalf of victim and clients Court representation for various issues, protection of privileged Communications, such as mental health records and communications with victim advocates Assert notification and consultation rights Legal assistance for issues such as family law (divorce, child custody, etc) Obtaining civilian restraining orders Landlord, tenant & housing issues Finance, identity (name change, fraud, identify theft Internet privacy, assisting in monitoring and removing content from internet, ensuring privacy is not violated through abuse of technology Advocacy to Air Force and DoD agencies Advocacy to civilian prosecutors and agencies Victims can request SVC services through the base SARC office at (509) 247-7272. (Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman and Rebecca Burylo contributed to this article)