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Marines

Unit HomeVictim Witness Assistance Program

Victim Witness Assistance Program

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: Call the 24/7 DoD Safe Helpline at (877) 995-5247

The Marine Corps Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) is designed to ensure victims and witnesses of crime are treated with fairness, dignity, and are afforded their rights throughout the military justice process. The VWAP is designed to provide assistance to victims and witnesses – from initial contact by investigators to final resolution of  all charges, including periods of confinement and possible rehearing.  Please call 703-693-9299 for more information about the Marine Corps VWAP.

Victims of sexual assault are entitled to specialized assistance and services under the Marine Corps Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program.   The USMC SAPR program website link is located in the VWAP Quick Links box (to the right).  Your local Victim Witness Liaison Officer aboard Marine Corps Installations are also available to assist you.  

Each Marine Corps Installation’s VWAP is managed by a Victim Witness Liaison Officer (VWLO) appointed by the Base Commander.  Additionally, VWAP representatives are appointed to a Base VWAP Council from individual units, law enforcement agencies, corrections facilities, medical facilities, NCIS and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).  These local officials fulfill the VWAP mission at the base level, providing vital services for victims and witnesses of crime. 

Victim and Witness Rights

Victim Rights

  • To be treated with fairness and respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.
  • To be reasonably protected from the accused.
  • To be notified of any decision to dispose of an alleged offense at court-martial, NJP or ADSEP proceedings.
  • To be present at all public court-martial, NJP, and ADSEP proceedings, unless the court or legal advisor, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.  This right does not obligate the government to pay for expenses incurred by the victim to be present.    
  • To be reasonably heard at any public proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, or parole of the accused.  This right does not obligate the government to pay for expenses incurred by the victim to be present.     
  • To confer with the attorney for the government in the case.
  • To receive information about the conviction, sentence, confinement, and release of the accused. 
  • To be notified of the apprehension of an accused, the initial appearance of an accused before a military judge, the release of the accused pending court-martial, any escape of the accused, and the time and location of any trial, NJP, or ADSEP proceedings (including entry of guilty pleas and sentencing).
  • To proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
  • To receive available restitution.

Witness Rights:

  • To be treated with fairness and respect for the witness’s dignity and privacy.
  • To be reasonably protected from the accused.
  • To be notified of any decision to dispose of an alleged offense at court-martial, NJP or ADSEP proceedings.
  • To be provided information about the resolution of the case to include ADSEP decisions, any punishment awarded to the offender, sentencing, imprisonment and release of the offender, if confined.
  • To be notified of the apprehension of an accused, the initial appearance of an accused before a military judge, the release of the accused pending court-martial, any escape of the accused, and the time and location of any trial, NJP, or ADSEP proceedings (including entry of guilty pleas and sentencing).