***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Army to Rule on Media Protections in U.S. v Major Michael D. Stockin

Army to Rule on Media Protections in U.S. v. Major Michael D. Stockin

 The Department of Defense is calling on CBS to provide raw footage of anonymous survivor interviews, underscoring the need to protect survivors

Washington, DC – A hearing will be held on August 15 and 16 to determine, among other matters, press privileges and survivor protections in the case against Major Michael D. Stockin – an Army doctor accused of sexually assaulting multiple servicemembers who were his patients. The subpoena of CBS seeks raw footage from anonymous survivor interviews. More than 100 victims have accused Maj. Michael Stockin of sexual assault, with over half of the named victims lacking adequate legal representation. This highlights the critical work that remains in supporting survivors and reforming the broken military justice system. Trial is scheduled to start January 13, 2025.

Military sexual assault remains underreported, particularly among male survivors, and the lack of support only exacerbates the challenges victims face. The absence of robust victim advocacy services and legal services, particularly from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPR), leaves survivors without guidance, support, or care. The lack of timely and accessible counseling services further compounds the distress faced by survivors.

This Stockin hearing is an important moment in the pursuit of justice for survivors and underscores the urgent need for Congress to ensure that reforms to the military justice system are being implemented and victim privacy is upheld. Military leadership continues to fail to provide resources for survivors that have been mandated by federal law for years. While President Biden signed an executive order to codify additional reforms, more must be done to assure the Pentagon is enacting reforms passed by Congress to protect survivors.

If you are a survivor in the case involving Major Michael D. Stockin and are seeking pro bono legal support, please find more information about POD’s Legal Services Program here.

The Article 39a hearing is open to the public and media. Details below:

• Who: Ryan Guilds, legal representation for the survivors
  • Christine Dunn, attorney representing survivors in a civil suit
  • Josh Connolly, Senior Vice President, Protect Our Defenders
• What: Motions hearing filed in US v Stockin
• When: 9:00 a.m. PST, Thursday, August 15, 2024
  • 9:00 a.m. PST, Friday, August 16, 2024
• Where: Cascade Court Complex #1, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington

Protect Our Defenders Senior Vice President, Josh Connolly, former Chief of Staff for Rep. Jackie Speier (former Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee), released the following statement:

“The government’s subpoena of CBS in connection with the United States v. Stockin case raises serious concerns about the privacy and wellbeing of survivors, who have bravely come forward to share their stories, often at great personal cost.

“Survivors have already faced unimaginable trauma. Their courage in sharing their stories should be met with unwavering support and protection, not further exposure and risk. This subpoena risks undermining the trust and safety that survivors deserve, and it sends a chilling message to others who may be considering coming forward.

“There is still much work to be done, but Protect Our Defenders remains committed to ensuring that necessary reforms to protect survivors of military sexual assault are implemented.”

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About Protect Our Defenders: Protect Our Defenders is the pre-eminent national human rights organization dedicated to ending sexual violence, victim retaliation, misogyny, sexual prejudice, and racism in the military and combating a culture that has allowed it to persist. We seek to honor, support and give voice to the brave women and men in uniform who have been sexually assaulted while serving their country, and re-victimized by the military adjudication system – a system that often blames the victim and fails to prosecute the perpetrator. Learn more about Protect Our Defenders at www.protectourdefenders.com or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ProtectOurDefenders or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ProtectRDfnders.