MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Heather Lawhead, a victim advocate coordinator at Marine and Family Services, has seen 24 sexual assault victims in her office already this year. That-s compared with 32 all last year.

But she says it-s not the numbers that matter -- it-s making sure victims get help.

Lawhead emphasized victims can always come directly to Marine and Family Services for assistance, even as Camp Pendleton pilots and the Department of Defense prepares to debut a new program aimed at better serving sexual assault victims and deterring perpetrators.

"It-s more than a policy, it-s a program," said Maj. Scott N. MacFarlane, the base family advocators program officer, who is helping shape implementation of the program here.

Lawhead says the new DoD initiative is none too soon.

Just last year, for example, she counseled two strikingly similar rape victims in one week. Both females were privates first class; both had been raped twice in their short Marine Corps careers, including attacks at their Military Occupational Specialty schools.

Both perpetrators were court-martialed and convicted, Lawhead said -- a key development bringing necessary "closure," if not complete healing, for victims, she said.

But too many such cases go unresolved or even unreported, a sore spot that prompted creation of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Task Force. Their work produced the new program, aimed at increasing support systems for victims and ensuring assaulters are held accountable, military officials say.

The program will establish sexual assault response coordinators for commands on base. Moreover, uniformed victim advocates will deploy with units, and servicemembers who witness or know of sexual assault will be held responsible for reporting it, MacFarlane said.

Commands here have yet to name sexual response coordinators, he said. They-ll be appointed by installation and Marine Air Ground Task Force commanders. They-ll promote sexual assault awareness, prevention, response and victim care, according to a Marine Administrative Message outlining the changes.

Headquarters Marine Corps is recommending that coordinators be lieutenant colonels or colonels, said MacFarlane, who estimates it will take eight coordinators to meet the need here.

Victims or others reporting sexual assault cases within the command should go directly to their coordinators, who should be named by next month in time for training scheduled in San Diego, MacFarlane said.

Meanwhile, the Marine Corps already has implemented some of the changes and is "light years ahead of the other branches" in terms of helping victims, Lawhead said.

The Corps, through its family services offices, has offered victim advocacy for more than 10 years, Lawhead said. In contrast, the Army is just now implementing victim advocates in response to the new policy.

MacFarlane stressed victims can report their case to the coordinator or go straight to Marine and Family Services for help. The latter option ensures confidentiality, he said.

"This will open up services to those who wouldn-t otherwise report it," MacFarlane said about the new approach. "Before, people were afraid of what would happen or were embarrassed, but sexual assault can happen to anybody."

Lawhead said more people have been coming forward since the changes have been phased in. Victim advocates at Marine and Family Services won-t push the victim to report the assault -- although around two-thirds of those seen approve a formal investigation, she said.

"It-s our job to provide support with no discrimination of who you are," Lawhead said. "The important thing is that victims know us advocates are by their side."

Victim advocates will make sure victims get proper medical care and counseling, officials said.

Lawhead said sexual assault could entail anything from rape to inappropriate touching.

About half the victims she sees are active-duty Marines, the other half are military family members, she said. The assaults happen everywhere -- on base or off -- in barracks, cars or even at work, she said.

Victims can experience "a rainbow of emotions," she said -- from anger at their attacker to self-guilt or shame. Victims often can-t eat or sleep, she said.

Chris Coulapides, counseling branch manager at Marine and Family Services, said more victims will emerge under the DoD shift.

"We hope we will see an increase in patients," Coulapides said. "It means more people are willing to come forward and get help."

MacFarlane said one goal of the Sexual Assault Task Force is consistency across all branches. The desired result -- a better climate for victims and a greater certainty of consequences for offenders, he said.

Sexual assault victims can call victim advocates at 725-1617 for help Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Victims can call the Provost Marshal-s Office after hours at 725-5106 and ask to be transferred to an on-call victim advocate.

For 24-hour service, call (800) 869-0278 or visit www.mccsonesource.com