Statement: Army Doctor Pleads Guilty in Historic Military Sexual Assault Case; Court to Decide Fate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2025
Brian Purchia, brian@protectourdefenders.com
This marks one of the largest military sexual assault scandals in recent history, involving more than 100 victims accusing Maj. Stockin, an Army doctor, of sexual assault
Washington, DC – On January 7, Maj. Michael Stockin pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 41 former patients (soldiers) at Madigan Army Hospital, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Starting January 8, a military court will determine whether to accept his plea, with sentencing expected to begin January 10.
Many of these survivors have expressed frustration with inadequate legal representation and limited access to critical care. Despite these barriers, male soldiers and former soldiers have bravely stepped forward to demand justice. However, military leadership often failed to acknowledge these survivors until media outlets brought their stories to light. Serious questions remain about the adequacy of the underlying investigation, particularly as these charges only relate to Dr. Stockin’s time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, despite his tenure at other military medical institutions, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“This case highlights the systemic failures of the military’s approach to addressing sexual violence,” said Josh Connolly, Senior Vice President of Protect Our Defenders. “Survivors of sexual assault – especially male survivors – are too often ignored, retraumatized, and denied the basic care and support they deserve. The fact that survivors had to turn to the media just to be heard is appalling. It underscores the urgent need for accountability and real reform to ensure survivors receive the justice and resources they are entitled to under the law.”
Military sexual assault remains significantly underreported, particularly among male survivors, whose experiences are often minimized or overlooked. The lack of robust victim advocacy services and accessible counseling from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPR) only exacerbates the challenges survivors face. Protect Our Defenders is calling for systemic reforms to address these issues and ensure the military prioritizes survivor care, accountability, and justice.
There are serious questions about what Army and hospital leadership knew about Dr. Stockin’s actions, and what they could have done to prevent the widespread abuse at Madigan Army Hospital. This has led many survivors to pursue a separate civil suit to hold military leadership accountable and demand broader reforms.
This case also underscores the urgent need for military survivors of sexual violence to receive the resources and legal representation mandated by federal law. President Biden’s recent executive order calls for additional reforms, but as this case shows, more must be done to hold military leadership accountable for the care of service members across all branches of our military.
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 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: Plea deal hearing filed in US v Stockin
- When: 9:00 a.m. PST, Tuesday, January 7, 2025 through Wednesday, January 15, 2025
- Where: Cascade Court Complex #2, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington
