Coast Guard Special Victims’ Counsel Program gets high marks

In criminal legal proceedings, usually the sides are clear: the prosecution represents the government, and the defense counsel represents the accused. Fairly simple. However, for sex-related crimes, the interests of the victim need to be heard and respected. Enter the Coast Guard’s Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC).

SVCs are Coast Guard lawyers certified by the Judge Advocate General to represent victims of sex-related offenses. On a case-by-case basis SVCs may also represent victims of certain other crimes, such as domestic violence. SVCs support Coast Guard active-duty members, reservists, dependents, retirees, and civilian employees.

SVCs are trained to represent the interests of the victim throughout the investigation and military justice process. SVCs represent the victim, not the Coast Guard. They have three main roles:

Advocate – to provide victims zealous advocacy by protecting their rights
Advise – to provide legal advice by developing victims’ understanding of the often complex investigatory and military justice system
Empower – by removing barriers to their full participation in the military justice process

SVCs are part of the Office of Member Advocacy (CG-LMA) with branches in Seattle, Alameda, Miami, Norfolk, Washington DC, and New London and a single SVC in Cleveland. The Coast Guard SVC program started in July 2013 and grew to open the most recent CG-LMA branch, Miami, in 2022.

“It is a privilege to serve our clients. While we never want to be needed, we (SVCs) are here to support our clients and ensure their voice is heard and their rights respected throughout the entire process,” said LCDR Rachel Foote, an SVC based in Washington, DC.

Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, Victim Advocates, CGIS investigators, medical heath care providers, and trial counsel are all required to advise victims of sex-related offenses of their right to have an SVC assigned to represent their interests. A victim of a sex-related offense may receive legal consultation from an SVC on reporting options before making an official report.

A recent independent assessment by the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) of the Coast Guard’s SVC Program found that 98% of clients reported overall satisfaction with their SVCs. Clients reported this high satisfaction with their SVC despite only 72% reporting satisfaction with the outcome of the case. One survey respondent whose case did not go to trial still said, “I felt heard.”

The CNA assessment found that “SVCs operate independently without undue influence from third parties (e.g., the command of the accused, the command of the victim, the Judge Advocate General, and the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Coast Guard).”

CNA determined the Coast Guard’s SVC Program to be strong and effective mainly because:

all eligible victims who want an SVC receive one,
victims are connected with an SVC quickly (often within 72 hours of request),
the overall usage rate of the SVC program is increasing, and
more than 90 percent of those who responded to the client feedback survey were satisfied with the program.

“The SVC Program strives to provide exceptional legal representation and advice to victims,” said Elizabeth Marotta, the Chief of Member Advocacy. “SVC empower clients through professional competency and advocacy, and ensure their interests and rights are recognized and protected throughout all processes.”

-USCG-

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