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The special victims council is a new program that helps guide sexual assault victims through the complications of the legal system much like the judge advocate general helps with legal proceedings.
“This is an opt-in program. All sexual assault victims are made aware of the SVC, but using this resource is not mandatory,” said Capt. Nicole Padgett, KMC sexual assault response coordinator.
Upon reporting a sexual assault, a victim is made aware of the SVC. The SVC can then help the victim decide how to proceed with their case. Victims have several options when reporting sexual assaults.
They can either file a restricted or unrestricted report. An unrestricted report is when law enforcement, JAG and chain of command get involved. In a restricted report, a victim can confidentially report the assault and receive medical treatment, mental health care services, or a variety of support needed without law
enforcement or command involvement.
“There are a lot of great things we can do for an unrestricted report, but we can also offer many types of assistance with a restricted report,” said Capt. Scott Simoneaux, KMC SARC.
The fallout from a sexual assault can last for years after the bruises fade away and can affect every aspect of a victim’s life. The SVC helps victims sort out the details so they can continue living their lives as productive members of society.
“This is an outstanding program as it allows for another person to advocate for the victims interest throughout the legal process,” Simoneaux said. “We’re able to offer this service to cases that have been open before the SVC stood up on Jan. 28.”
He said if a sexual assault victim came from Ramstein, the SVC will pull an advocate from another U.S. Air Force’s in Europe and Air Forces Africa base to avoid any conflict of interest.
“We really want to make people aware that the Air Force is taking huge steps on behalf of victims to try to provide more services to them to aid in their healing,” Simoneaux said.
