NEWS >> Special Victims’ Counsel program available

By Airman 1st Class Kaylee Clark
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force is piloting a new Special Victims’ Counsel program and Little Rock Air Force Base is on board.

A Special Victims’ Counsel is a furtherance of the legal assistance program, a lawyer specifically assigned to represent victims of sexual assault.

The SVC Program provides advice to develop victims’ understanding of the investigation and justice processes. It also provides advocacy by protecting the rights afforded to victims in the military justice system, and empowering victims by removing barriers to their full participation in the justice process.

Capt. Lauren Rosenblatt is the special victims’ counsel for Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
Rosenblatt explained that victims’ rights is an area of the law which has developed across the nation over the last 30-40 years.  The Air Force is the first service branch to implement a program specifically aimed at providing counsel for sexual assault victims. Special Victims’ Counsel advocate for the rights of victims of sexual assault.

Airmen in need of assistance should know that the program provides confidential legal advice to victims of sexual assault regardless of the status of the report.

A victim can file a restricted report or unrestricted report.  If the report is restricted, they will not lose their restricted status by establishing a relationship with an SVC.

 Much of the SVC’s services center around the justice process, but they can assist in a variety of other ways.

“Some examples of our services would be helping a victim break a lease so that they can move out of their home or apartment where they were assaulted, helping a victim get a restraining order and assisting victims with state restitution programs,” said Rosenblatt. “To provide this extra level of support shows victims that the Air Force is there to support them and make this process as smooth as possible.”

The program is available to individuals who are common access cardholders or military dependents, 18 years or older and Title 10 active - duty military members. The SVC chain of command does not run through any wing commander or major command commander. This allows the program to provide advice and advocate on behalf of clients free of any external pressure.

“I think that the overall impact is that it gives victims of sexual assault a better voice,” said Rosenblatt.

Rosenblatt’s office is part of the Joint Base San Antonio Region which is one of ten regional SVC offices across the Air Force. She represents victims located within the state of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri.

The Air Force’s Special Victims’ Counsel program is located in building 842 and can be reached at 501-987-7368.