The Marine Corps executes a professional Victim and Witness Assistance Program in order to reduce the trauma, frustration, and inconvenience experienced by victims and witnesses of crime; inform victims of their statutory rights; and, assist victims and witness in understanding the military justice process.
Headquarters Battalion's Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) is designed to ensure victims and witnesses of crime are treated with fairness and dignity and are afforded their rights throughout the criminal justice process – from the first report of a crime through any period of confinement adjudged by a court-martial.
The Marine Corps VWAP instruction is MCO 5800.14: MCO 5800_14 VWAP.pdf
Headquarters Battalion Victim and Witness Assistance Coordinator Captain Sean Knaub
Phone COM: 703-784-2630.
(1) To be treated with fairness and respect for the victim's dignity and privacy. (2) To be reasonably protected from the accused. (3) To be notified of any decision to dispose of an allege offense at court-martial, NJP or ADSEP proceedings. (4) To be present at all public court-martial, NJP, and ADSEP proceedings, unless the court or legal advisor, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially affected if the victim heard other testimony at the proceeding. This right does not obligate the government to pay for expenses incurred by the victim to be present. (5) To be reasonably heard at any public proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, or parole of the accused. This right does not obligate the government to pay for expenses incurred by the victim to be present. (6) To confer with the attorney for the Government in the case. (7) To receive information about the conviction, sentence, confinement, and release of the accused. (8) 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, any escape of the accuse, and the time and location of any trial, NJP, or ADSEP proceedings (including entry of guilty pleas and sentencing).
(9) To proceedings free from unreasonable delay. (10) To receive available restitution.
A Unit Victim and Witness Assistance Coordinator (VWAC) is the command’s primary point of contact for victim and witness assistance matters. VWACs coordinate victim and witness assistance matters within their unit. Victims and witnesses should not hesitate to contact their unit’s VWAC for more information, assistance, or to help get in contact with victim and witness assistance services.
Pursuant to Marine Corps Directives, each office or agency which provides services to victims and witnesses appoints a Victim Witness Assistance Representative and each unit (Battalion and Squadron level and above) appoints a VWAC. The VWAC and other representatives are responsible for that unit or office’s part of the base VWAP.
Chaplain
MCB Quantico Chaplain's offer counseling, religious ministries and related services to victims & witnesses upon request.
COM: 703-784-2131
Legal Assistance
The MCB Quantico Legal Assistance Office provides legal assistance for family matters such as divorce and child support and can provide referral to civilian attorneys when needed.
COM: 703-784-3126/4616
Prosecution/Military Justice Office
The MCB Quantico Military Justice Office provides legal advice and support to all MCB Quantico tenant commands in the prosecution of Marines and sailors in general, special, and summary courts-martial. Rights and services afforded by the military justice office to victims and witnesses during the criminal trial process include: the right to be present at all public court proceedings, the right to be contacted about the proposed dismissal of any and all charges, the right to be consulted on decisions not to prosecute, the right to be contacted regarding the proposed terms of any negotiated plea, and the right to be notified of the acceptance of a guilty plea, or any conviction, sentencing and imprisonment of the accused.
COM: 703-784-0650/3673
MCB Quantico Criminal Investigation and Law Enforcement
NCIS, CID, and 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 COM: 703-432-0211
CID COM: 703-784-2027
PMO COM: 703-784-2251
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
SARC coordinates all the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) activities about MCB Quantico and is a point of contact for victims of sexual assault.
COM: 703-784-3532
Medical
MCB Quantico’s medical clinic provides medical services for military personnel and dependents.
COM: 703-784-1725