USCG SVC Services

SVCs may provide their clients with the following non-exclusive list of services for both restricted1 and 

unrestricted reports of sexual assault:

 Protecting client’s right to be treated with fairness and respect;

 Advising client of, and coordinating access to, the authorized individuals to whom a victim may 

make disclosures. These include a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), a Family 

Advocacy Specialist (FAS), a Victim Advocate (VA), a Coast Guard or Department of Defense 

(DoD) Health Care Provider (HCP) or a Chaplain;

 Advising client regarding potential criminal liability of the victim stemming from or in relation to 

the circumstances surrounding the sexual assault report, including the client’s right to seek 

defense counsel; Advising client of eligibility and requirements for services available from 

appropriate agencies or offices for emotional and mental health counseling and other medical

services;

 Legal consultation regarding:

 Personal civil matters directly connected to the sexual assault report;

 Military justice proceedings in which a victim may participate;

 Availability of and process for obtaining protections offered by civilian and military 

protective orders;

 Eligibility and requirements for obtaining any available military and veteran’s benefits as 

well as other state and federal victims’ compensation programs;

 Restitution, if applicable; and

 Matters of reprisal, retaliation, and/or ostracism;

 Advising client regarding Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Disability Evaluation 

System (PDES) processes. 

 Advising client regarding proceedings of the Personnel Records Review Board, Coast Guard 

Discharge Review Board, and Board of Correction of Military Records if any of these proceedings 

have a nexus to the sexual assault report;

 Advising client regarding requests from and complaints against the government, including 

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, allegations under review by an inspector general, 

complaints regarding equal employment opportunities, and other 

correspondence/communications with Congress; 

 Assisting and providing legal guidance on changing a restricted report to an unrestricted report.

For unrestricted reports, additional legal services include, but are not limited to:

 Advising client of additional individuals and services from whom they may seek assistance and 

support;

 Advising client of and protecting client’s right:

 to be reasonably protected from the offender;
 to be notified of court proceedings;

 to be present at all public court proceedings unless the court determines victim’s 

testimony would be materially altered;

 to be reasonably heard at hearings concerning the continuation of confinement prior to 

trial of the accused, sentencing hearings, and/or clemency and parole board hearings; 

 to confer with government counsel in the case;

 to receive restitution, if available; and,

 to know the outcome of trial and release of offender from confinement;

 Advocating on client’s behalf to various parties in the military justice system;

 Accompanying and representing the client in interviews with CGIS, trial-counsel or defense 

counsel. If scheduling conflicts prohibit in-person attendance, then participating via videoteleconference or other means;

 Accompanying the client to all military justice proceedings that the victim has a right to attend;

 Representing and advocating on behalf of the client in military justice proceedings, including 

submitting legal arguments through written pleadings on their behalf and submitting oral 

argument before the military judge;

 Legal consultation regarding responsibilities and support provided by the SARC and VA, including 

advice regarding Military Rule of Evidence 514 (Victim Advocate – Victim privilege);

 Legal consultation regarding potential for civil litigation against parties other than the Coast 

Guard;

 Legal consultation regarding the military justice system and applicable rules of evidence 

including Military Rules of Evidence 412 (alleged sexual behavior or predisposition), 513 

(Psychotherapist-patient privilege), and 615 (exclusion of victim from proceedings);

 Legal consultation and assistance in understanding and obtaining any military and veteran 

benefits, including transitional compensation and benefits under the Uniform Services Former 

Spouses Protection Act.

Additionally, SVCs can help victims of sexual assault with:

 Obtaining a copy of the court-martial trial transcript;

 Obtaining a copy of any statements made to military criminal investigators such as CGIS;

 Providing an unsworn statement during the sentencing phase of any court-martial;

 Submitting post-trial matters for the convening authority’s consideration;

 Providing input to the convening authority regarding the prosecution of your case; and,

 Submitting a request for an expedited permanent change of station.