Victim Witness Liaison Officer Information
LtCol Anthony Grzincic is the Regional Victim and Witness Liaison Officer (RVWLO) for MCI-West and acts as the Commander, MCI-West's manager for the VWAP in the USMC Western Region. Maj Steven Evans is the Installation Victim and Witness Liaison Officer (IVWLO) for MCB Camp Pendleton and acts as the Commander, MCB Camp Pendleton’s manager for the VWAP aboard the installation. In that capacity, Maj Evans chairs the VWAP Council, manages and maintains a list of all unit Victim Witness Assistance Coordinators and other base Victim Witness Representatives, tracks all services provided and is the central point of contact for the installation program.
Pursuant to Marine Corps Directives, each office or agency which provides services to victims and witnesses (see list below) appoints a Victim Witness Assistance Representative and each unit (Battalion and Squadron level and above) appoints a Victim Witness Assistance Coordinator (VWAC). The VWAC and other representatives are responsible for that unit or office’s part of the base VWAP.
Maj Evans can be contacted at (760) 763-5209.
About
MCB Camp Pendleton’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 5800.16
Mission
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.
Victim’s Rights
(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.
MCB Camp Pendleton’s Unit Victim and Witness Assistance Coordinators
A Unit VWAC is the command’s primary point of contact for victim and witness assistance matters. In conjunction with the VWLO, 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.
Base Services For Victims and Witnesses
Victim Legal Counsel
The Marine Corps Victims’ Legal Counsel Organization is fully committed to providing legal advice, representation to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other serious crimes, in order to protect victims’ rights at all stages of the military justice process.
(760) 207-8833
Chaplain
MCB Camp Pendleton Chaplain's offer counseling, religious ministries, and related services to victims & witnesses upon request. (760) 725-4700
Legal Assistance
The MCB Camp Pendleton Legal Assistance Office provides legal assistance for family matters such as divorce and child support and can provide referral to civilian attorneys when needed.
(760) 725-6558
Prosecution/Military Justice Office
The MCB Camp Pendleton’s Military Justice Office provides legal advice and support to all MCB Camp Pendleton’s 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.
(760) 760-4165
MCB Camp Pendleton 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 : (760) 725-5158
CID : (760) 763-2796
PMO : (760) 763-2796
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
SARC coordinates all the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) activities about MCB Camp Pendleton and is a point of contact for victims of sexual assault.
(760) 500-1707
Medical
MCB Camp Pendleton’s Naval Hospital provides medical services for military personnel and dependents.
(760) 725-1288
Marine Family Services
Behavioral Health – (760) 719-3312
Victim Advocacy Program – (760) 500-1707
Family Advocacy Program- (760) 725-9051
For more details on Marine Family Services, Marine & Family Support (usmc-mccs.org)
Crime Victim Compensation Funds
California Victims Fund Website: CalVCB - CA Victim Compensation Board
Local civilian services
Rape Crisis & Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 (800) 787-3224
California victim services unit: (877) 433-9069
California Office of Child Abuse Prevention: (916) 651-6960
San Diego County Department of Social Services: (866) 262-9881
San Diego County Victim Advocate: (619) 531-4041
Orange County Victim Advocate: (714) 834-3600
Additional Resources
For additional resources, links, and forms, visit the VWAP site at HQ Marine Corps by clicking here.
Directives
Department of Defense Instruction 1030.2 - Victim and Witness Assistance Procedures
Department of Defense Instruction 1342.24 - Transitional Compensation for Abused Dependents
Department of Defense Instruction 6400.07 - Standards for Victim Assistance Services in the Military Community
Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5800.11B - Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP)
Marine Corps Order 1752.5C - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
Marine Corps Order 5800.16 - Victim-Witness Assistance Program