ability and use of the authority provided by section 674 
of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a), as part of the training for new and prospective com-
manders at all levels of command required by section 
585(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fis-
cal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 10 U.S.C. 1561 note). 
SEC. 6. VICTIMS’ COUNSEL FOR VICTIMS OF SEX-RELATED 
OFFENSES COMMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES AND RELATED PROVISIONS. 
(a) DESIGNATION AND DUTIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Chapter 53 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 1044d the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1044e. Victims’ Counsel for victims of sex-related 
offenses committed by members of the 
armed forces 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION; PURPOSES.—Under regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary con-
cerned shall designate legal counsel (to be known as ‘Vic-
tims’ Counsel’) for the purpose of providing legal assist-
ance to any member of the armed forces, any dependent 
of a member, or any other individual eligible for military 
legal assistance under section 1044 of this title, who is 
the victim of a sex-related offense, regardless of whether 
the allegation is restricted or unrestricted. 
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‘‘(b) TYPES OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE.—The types of 
legal assistance contemplated by this subsection may in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(1) Legal consultation regarding potential 
criminal liability of the victim stemming from or in 
relation to the circumstances surrounding the al-
leged sex-related offense and the victim’s right to 
seek military defense services. 
‘‘(2) Legal consultation regarding the Victim 
Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), including— 
‘‘(A) the rights and benefits afforded the 
victim; 
‘‘(B) the role of the Victim/Witness Advo-
cate or Liaison and what privileges do or do not 
exist between the victim and the Advocate or 
Liaison; and 
‘‘(C) the nature of communication made to 
the Victim/Witness Advocate or Liaison as op-
posed to communication made to the Legal As-
sistance Attorney. 
‘‘(3) Legal consultation regarding the potential 
for civil litigation against other parties (other than 
the Department of Defense). 
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‘‘(4) Legal consultation regarding any pro-
ceedings of the military justice process that the vic-
tim may observe. 
‘‘(5) Legal consultation regarding the military 
justice system, including— 
‘‘(A) the roles and responsibilities of the 
trial counsel, the defense counsel, and investiga-
tors; 
‘‘(B) any proceedings of the military jus-
tice process in which the victim may observe or 
participate as a witness or other party; 
‘‘(C) the Government’s authority to compel 
cooperation and testimony; and 
‘‘(D) the victim’s responsibility to testify, 
and other duties to the court. 
‘‘(6) Accompanying the victim at any pro-
ceedings in connection with the reporting, military 
investigation, and military prosecution of the alleged 
sex-related offense. 
‘‘(7) Legal consultation regarding— 
‘‘(A) services available from appropriate 
agencies or offices for emotional and mental 
health counseling and other medical services; 
‘‘(B) eligibility for and requirements for 
obtaining any available military and veteran 
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benefits, such as transitional compensation ben-
efits found in section 1059 of this title and 
other State and Federal victims’ compensation 
programs; and 
‘‘(C) the availability of, and any protec-
tions offered by, civilian and military restrain-
ing orders. 
‘‘(8) Legal consultation and assistance in per-
sonal civil legal matters in accordance with section 
1044 of this title. 
‘‘(9) Such other legal assistance as the Sec-
retary concerned may specify under this subsection. 
‘‘(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—An individual may not be 
designated as a Victims’ Counsel under this section unless 
the individual is— 
‘‘(1) a judge advocate or a civilian attorney 
serving as a legal assistance attorney who is a grad-
uate of an accredited law school and is a member of 
the bar of a Federal court or of the highest court 
of a State; and 
‘‘(2) is certified as competent to be designated 
as a Victims’ Counsel by the Judge Advocate Gen-
eral of the Armed Force of which the individual is 
a member. 
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‘‘(d) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
RESPONSIBILITY.—Under 
such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary 
concerned, the Judge Advocate General (as defined in sec-
tion 801(1) of this title) under the jurisdiction of the Sec-
retary, and within the Marine Corps the Staff Judge Ad-
vocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, is respon-
sible for the establishment and supervision of individuals 
designated as Victims’ Counsel. 
‘‘(e) SEX-RELATED OFFENSE DEFINED.—In this 
subsection, a ‘sex-related offense’ includes— 
‘‘(1) any offense covered by section 920, 920a, 
920b, 920c, or 925 (article 120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 
or 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); or 
‘‘(2) an attempt to commit an offense specified 
in a paragraph (1) as punishable under section 880 
of this title (article 80 of the Uniform Code of Mili-
tary Justice). 
‘‘(f) AVAILABILITY OF VICTIMS’ COUNSEL.—A mem-
ber of the armed forces, or a dependent of a member, or 
any other individual eligible for military legal assistance 
under section 1044 of this title, who is the victim of an 
alleged sex-related offense shall be provided assistance by 
a Victims’ Counsel upon report of an allegation of a sex- 
related offense or at the time the victim seeks assistance 
from a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, a Sexual As-
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