Special Victims' Counsel available at Kadena

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Air Force's top lawyer testified Mar. 13 before the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee on sexual assault in the military and ongoing efforts to combat the problem.

The Judge Advocate General, Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, was joined by his fellow service counterparts and the Defense Department's Acting General Counsel, Robert S. Taylor, as well as the DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office director.

The group vowed to do whatever it takes to end sexual assault in the military and a big part of that, Harding said, is supporting victims.

In the Air Force, these efforts include the creation of the Special Victims' Counsel Program.

According to officials, this program provides sexual assault victims with their own military attorney to provide them legal assistance and help navigate the criminal justice system. These lawyers are trained to handle sexual assault victims' unique needs.

At Kadena Air Base, Japan, the 18th Wing is one of two bases in Pacific Air Forces projected to have an SVC office, independent from the legal office.

SVC throughout PACAF are available now for some victims. Eligible victims can request an attorney through the 18th Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator office. Questions regarding eligibility can be directed to the SARC.

"The Air Force has taken a momentous leap for supporting victims of sexual assault in creating the SVC program," said Capt. Chad Evans, 18th Wing attorney and SVC. "For the first time in military history, eligible victims of sexual assault are afforded their own attorneys, at no cost, to assist in navigating the military justice system and asserting their legal rights as victims. As an SVC, I can enter into an attorney-client relationship with a victim of sexual assault, serving and advocating for him or her during what is often a very stressful period."

(Information from Air Force News Service contributed to this article.)