Office of the Staff Judge Advocate

Victims and witnesses of crime normally suffer some adverse impacts from the crime. The Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) is designed to minimize the effects of crime and to help victims and witnesses understand and meaningfully participate in the military justice process. The VWAP ensures that Marine Corps personnel are trained to provide appropriate information, referrals, and services. It is a multi-disciplinary model designed to identify and assist crime victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process beginning with the initial report of a crime and continuing through the investigation, prosecution, sentencing, confinement, and release of an offender.

Victim:
A person who has suffered direct physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the commission of a crime committed in violation of the UCMJ, or in violation of the law of another jurisdiction if any portion of the investigation is conducted primarily by the DoD Components. Your rights as a victim:

• The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for your dignity and privacy;

• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender;

• The right to be notified of court proceedings;

• The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that your testimony would be materially affected if you as the victim heard other testimony at trial;

• The right to confer with the attorney for the government in the case;

• The right to available restitution;

• The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender.

Witness:
A person who has information or evidence about a crime and provides that knowledge to a DoD component about an offense in the investigative jurisdiction of a DoD component. Your rights as a witness:

• The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for your dignity and privacy;

• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused;

• The right to be notified of any scheduling changes which will affect your appearance at court-martial;

• The right 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, and trial proceedings (including entry of guilty pleas);

• The right to receive information about the conviction, sentence, confinement, and release of the accused.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO) provide investigative services for criminal offenses. Criminal investigators and law enforcement personnel are responsible for providing victims and witnesses of crimes with the initial information under the VWAP and ensuring they have points of contact for all available services and assistance under the VWAP.

NCIS:   (504) 678-9797/9789
CID:     (504) 697-8358
PMO:   (504) 697-8271/8172

Regional Law Center, National Capital Region provides legal advice and support to all Marine Forces Reserve/Marine Forces South tenant commands in the prosecution of Marines and Sailors in general and special courts-martial.

St. Charles Parish Nelson Coleman Correctional Center houses inmates before, during, and after trial. An accused service member placed in pretrial confinement, including during trial, or sentenced to 30 days or less is housed at the St. Charles Parish Nelson Coleman Correctional Center. Post-trial inmates with a sentence greater than 30 days will be sent to a designated military confinement facility. As a victim or a witness, upon request you will be afforded the right to receive notifications regarding changes in the status of an inmate including release, parole, transfer, and death.

Naval Health Clinic Belle Chasse

The Naval Health Clinic Belle Chasse can provide medical care for military and dependent crime victims.  For more information, contact (504) 678-3660.

Naval Health Clinic Belle Chasse, Mental Health Department

The Naval Health Clinic Belle Chasse Mental Health Department offers one-on-one counseling as well as a variety of group therapy programs on such topics as combat stress, PTSD, military women’s issues, ADHD, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and nightmare treatment.  For more information, contact (504) 678-7929/4538.

MFR/MFS Naval Health Clinic

The MFR/MFS Naval Health Clinic can provide medical care for military crime victims.  For more information, contact (504) 697-9241.

MFR/MFS Chaplains

The MFR/MFS Chaplains offer counseling, religious ministries, and related services to victims and witnesses upon request.  For more information, contact 504-697-8007.

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans, Legal Assistance Office

The Legal Assistance Office provides legal assistance for family matters such as divorce, child support, and transitional compensation and can provide referral to civilian attorneys when needed.  For more information, contact 504-678-4691.

NAS JRB New Orleans, Fleet and Family Support Center

The Fleet and Family Support Center provides assistance and counseling for domestic violence perpetrators and victims.  They also offer a number of workshops on suicide prevention, anger management, family advocacy, domestic violence, and sexual assault prevention and response support.

https://www.navymwrneworleans.com/fleet-family

Military OneSource
Military OneSource offers three kinds of short-term, non-medical counseling such as adjustment to situational stressors, stress management, decision-making, communication, and grief.  Resources are also available for a variety of mental health issues and military-specific issues such as transitional compensation.

Link to Military OneSource. 

Marine Corps VWAP Website
Marine Corps VWAP Website explains victims and witnesses’ rights with numerous links to resources and forms, including those for transitional compensation.

Link to Marine Corps VWAP Website.

National Center for Victims of Crime
The National Center for Victims of Crime is the nation’s leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims and those who serve them.

Link to National Center for Victims of Crime.

DoJ Office of Victims of Crime
DoJ Office of Victims of Crime provide a variety of resources for victims of crime.

Link to DoJ Office of Victims of Crime.

Louisiana Attorney General’s Office

Louisiana Attorney General's Office provides support for victims of abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking. 

Link to LA Attorney General’s Office.
 

Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections

The Louisiana Victim Outreach Program provides support and information to victims in a timely and respectful manner. 

Link to Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

Louisiana Victim Action Network

The Louisiana Victim Action Network assists victims of violent crime through education of court processes and procedures, the resources that are available to them, and their rights according to Louisiana state law. 

Link to Louisiana Victim Action Network.

Louisiana Women’s Shelters

The Louisiana Women’s Shelters provide listings of shelters, transitional housing, residential treatment centers, and women's residential services. 

Link to Louisiana Women’s Shelter.

Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence eliminates domestic violence through

support, public policy, and education.

 Link to Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services works to keep children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, and providing safe refuge during disasters. 

Link to Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services.

Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, Victim Assistance Program

The Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, Victim Assistance Program is committed to helping victims of crime receive all services provided by the law. 

Link Louisiana District Attorney’s Association.

Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health

The Office of Behavioral Health manages and delivers the services and supports necessary to improve the quality of life for citizens with mental illness and addictive disorders. 

Link to Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health.

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault is committed to empowering survivors, engaging advocates, and changing harmful social patterns to end sexual violence in Louisiana.

https://www.lafasa.org/

Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, Crime Victim Assistance

The Victim Assistance Program provides assistance to crime victims through crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy, and additional assistance.

https://lcle.la.gov/programs/victims-of-crime-act/

Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System

The Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System is an on-line resource and toll-free automated system that allows you to search for information regarding an adult offender's current custody and case status.

https://police.louisiana.edu/assistance/louisiana-automated-victim-notification-system-lavns

Louisiana Secretary of State, Address Confidentiality Program

The Address Confidentiality Program provides relocated victims of abuse, sexual assault or stalking with a substitute address to use in place of their actual address when they apply for or receive state or local government services. 

https://www.sos.la.gov/ouroffice/AddressConfidentialityProgram/Pages/default.aspx

Victims of sexual assault are entitled to specialized assistance and services under the Marine Corps Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program.  Please visit the MFR/MFS Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program website for contact information.

MFR/MFS Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program

MFR/MFS’s sexual assault victim advocates respond to sexual assault and domestic violence incidences 24/7 by providing support and advocacy services for the victims.  
MFR/MFS 24/7 sexual assault support line: (877) 432-2215

The Victim and Witness Assistance Coordinators (VWAC) is the command’s primary point of contact for victim and witness assistance matters.  The VWAC is responsible for obtaining and distributing VWAP materials and for providing VWAP training to the members of the command.

Victims and witnesses should reach out to their respective command VWAC for assistance in exercising their rights and learning more about available services.