1. Victim Witness Assistance
Coordinator (VWAC)
HM1(SCW/FMF) Williford Dagher, Jessica
Preventive Med Tech

2. What is a VWAC?
 The command’s primary point-of-contact for victim and
witness assistance matters. Responsible for distributing
VWAP materials and for providing VWAP training to
command members.

3. Background on the Victim Witness
Assistance Program (VWAP)
 Victims and witnesses of crime normally suffer some
adverse impact (e.g., physical, psychological, and
financial) from a crime.
 Congress enacted a series of laws intended to inform
victims and witnesses of their rights and responsibilities
in the criminal justice system to ensure their needs are
properly addressed.
 The Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) is
designed to minimize the effects of crime and to help
victims and witnesses understand and participate in the
military justice system.
 VWAP is a multi-disciplinary process intended to assist
victims and witnesses through the initial report of a
crime and continuing through the investigation,
prosecution, sentencing, confinement, and release of
the accused offender.

4. VWAC
 Purpose:
 The VWAC is the CO’s delegate for implementing the VWAP
program at a command.
 Key Responsibilities:
 Educate command members about the VWAP program.
 Provide initial information to victims and witnesses of crimes
via DD Form 2701.
 Provide form regardless of the victim/witness’s military
status.
 Provide victims and witnesses with military and civilian
resources which may be available to assist them.

5. VWAC
 Key Responsibilities (Continued)
 In cases that are referred to special or general court-martial,
coordinate with trial counsel to ensure victims and witnesses
receive the necessary notice.
 In cases that are handled by the command (e.g., NJP,
ADSEP, summary court-martial) ensure:
 the victim and witnesses are informed of the date and time of
proceedings
 the victim’s views on the disposition of the case are
considered
 the victim and witnesses are informed of case disposition,
and (as applicable) release of the accused from confinement
or separation from the Navy.

6. VWACs Role in Violent Crimes or
Sexual Assault Cases
 Victims of sexual assaults and violent crimes have reported
feeling overwhelmed when approached by too many command
representatives.
 VWAC works with command’s Victim Advocate and Sexual
Assault Prevention and Response Coordinator (SARC).
 Victim Advocate or SAPR provides initial DD Form 2701 and
other applicable VWAP documents to victims of sexual assault
or violent crime if possible.
 VWAC ensures the VWAP documents were provided to the
victim(s) . These are tracked in our quarterly and Annual report
submitted to Base VWAP.

7. VWAC Forms
 DD 2701: Initial Information for Victims & Witnesses of Crime

8. References
 Title 42 U.S. Code, Section 10606: Victim Rights and Restitution Act
 DoD Directive 1030.1: Victim and Witness Assistance, 13 April 2004
 DoD Instruction 1030.2: Victim and Witness Assistance Procedures, 4
June 2004
 SECNAVINST 5800.11A
 OPNAVINST 5800.7A
 Military Rule of Evidence 514
 DD2701 Link:

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2701.pdf

9. The End
 Any Questions?