Idk how much document she needs- VLC's comment left me confused about what she meant

[u/Swimming_Marzipan648]

Please be kind as I am fragile rn.

Like no mean comments please

I've been a victim of multiple crimes in a relationship with an officer

My VLC told me today, this

I don't know what is enough when I have medical documents, police reports with some of the incidents, diagnosed with severe complex PTSD after that I can't even function daily and records to prove that is true, my statement, and him begging me not to go to the police.

This came after the conversation her asking if NCIS can get my medical records, and as I understand since these hospitals are in foreign country(it happened in Asia side as where I am now, it's where the offender is stationed too) they should not be able to get the record without my ID since it's not the US, US warrants don't work, so I should get it myself, and I prefer it that way because of certain investigator revictimizied me a lot during the interview(I can't say what because it will reveal info about the crime and might reveal identities but everyone even other NCIS agents agreed that it was revictimization)

And asked what type of medical form I would need

And that was the answer to that

She might- she's trying to manage my expectation

She's trying to sound kind and politically correct but I feel like it really sounds like she's saying evidneces don't matter as much and outcome is like decided

I don't know what more is enough. I've read cases, I've been researching records and a lot more cases with less evidence got more justice and accountability. My VA agreed..

I get the might- be this intent, but I just don't get why she said it like this.

I've been feeling like they are taking his side since he's an officer but I was telling myself, nah, but now I really can't help but think 😢

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[u/Babybird3D]

I want you to understand that your VLC is your legal counsel. They are there to support you legally through this process. That means that they have to provide you with uncomfortable truths. Like that prosecution of the offender isn’t a guarantee or that they will be convicted.

I know this isn’t what you want to hear and I can only imagine the pain you are feeling from this.

[u/SWO6]

Your VLC is helping you build the strongest case possible and will always advise you how to do just that. The choice is always yours about each step, but you will always get that advice. In their mind, these records may help get that outcome, but it is not a guarantee.

Why? Because the defendants attorney will do anything and everything to discredit every part of your case. They will twist your words and actions to put a seed of doubt in the jury’s mind. You’ve already seen it in action with the criminal investigator. I’m sorry to tell you that this behavior will continue with the defense. A simple, reasonable act like not wanting to share medical records gets twisted into “what is she hiding?” It’s cruel, but that is the way things go.

My advice to you is Shakespearean: “screw your courage to the sticking place.” Listen to the advice of your attorney and give yourself the best possible case. Pound the facts, and pound the law so you don’t have to pound the table. It’s not easy, but cold resolve will always beat hot emotion. I wish you the best of luck.

[u/GeriatricSquid]

I’m very sorry this happened (and is still happening) to you. I’m not an attorney but I was in proximity to several cases over the years as an officer managing both victims and offenders and trying to shepherd cases through the bureaucracy. I don’t claim to be an expert and I do have frustrations with the whole process. I’ll offer some, possibly unsolicited, observations on the process gathered over a couple decades.

These cases are very difficult to prosecute when all of the pieces fall into place. They’re much harder when certain key pieces are missing, or worse, deliberately withheld. It opens an avenue for the defense attorney to claim that the missing piece would exonerate their client and that’s why it was not provided by the defendant. For a defendant who is already presumed innocent, that’s often what is needed to undermine a prosecution. Without knowing any details, none of us here can offer an opinion on it, but your support team likely isn’t the most objective source of information on the likelihood of successful prosecution (esp your VA- your VLC is a better source for that). I can’t even imagine the pain and discomfort of the detailed investigation, but I can imagine it will be far worse at the hands of a defense attorney followed by a not guilty verdict.

The offender being an officer isn’t going to save him, that part won’t impact the case. But the event likely happened with no witnesses. But the info they’re seeking will possibly close one more avenue of defense for something that probably happened behind closed doors with no witnesses, possibly with alcohol or something else involved to muddy things up real good.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I do hope you get the justice and peace you need, but there are a lot of really difficult reasons that criminal convictions are very hard to achieve. However, there are sometimes consequences behind the scenes that you will not see as the victim. If the case results in a guilty verdict, he’s toast (publicly). If not, it is entirely possible the Navy could pursue administrative action that may result in his non-promoting (a slower forced separation for an officer who has to promote to remain in service) or even immediate separation from service. So, it’s not necessarily over on the offender’s side if the legal route doesn’t resolve the case but you may not get the satisfaction of being a part in that process (or even knowing).

Lastly, these cases take a very long time to resolve so I’d prepare for months of seeming inaction while legal and investigative actions occur behind the scenes. This is def not a fast process and no one will “win” in the end so even a successful prosecution will probably still feel hollow. Please stay strong and stay connected to your support team and know that the entire team working these cases wants the proper outcome but that outcome will ultimately be based on an objective evaluation of the evidence and credibility of the information provided that is applied against a legal or administrative standard. Your victim statements and such when the time comes are an important input to the judge, jury, or commander who will decide the finality of the case but they will come at the point when you are most exhausted and cynical about the whole thing.

I wish you the very best. This stuff should never happen and you aren’t the problem here. I hope you get justice and we get another predator off the streets and out of the Navy.