Baltimore Sun: Judge dismisses lawsuit related to Naval Academy assault
The Baltimore Sun reports: A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Naval Academy midshipmen who sought the...
PRESS RELEASE: Protect Our Defenders Calls For Investigation Into Lt Gen Harding & Col Rockwell’s Campaign Against Removing Sexual Assault Claims From The Military Chain of Command
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2013 Contact: Brian Purchia, (202) 253-(202) 253-4330,brian@protectourdefenders.com *If you would like to receive a copy of the...
Politico: Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured is this article from Politico: Nancy Parrish, president of the victim advocacy...
California State Assembly Hearing on Military Sexual Trauma
*Trigger Warning* Kate Weber, a member of Protect Our Defenders, and the 2013 California Woman Veteran Leader of the Year testifies...
Capital Public Radio: Military Sexual Assault Survivors Ask State for More Support
Protect Our Defenders’ member Kate Weber is featured in this report from Capital Public Radio: Veteran Kate Weber was 18...
The State: Whistleblower’s lawyer: USAF could do more
The State profiles TSgt Jennifer Smith, who worked with Protect Our Defenders to expose United States Air Force indifference to blatant...
Air Force Times: High-ranking officers disciplined over sexual harassment complaint
Last year, Protect Our Defenders helped TSgt Jennifer Smith expose United States Air Force indifference to blatant sexual harassment and...
Lexington Herald-Leader: Veterans ask lawmakers to improve Lexington VA’s care for sexual trauma
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports: Pentagon officials drew attention to military sexual trauma with a survey earlier this year that showed...
Air Force Times: Wilkerson: Demotion, ouster politically motivated
The Air Force Times reports: Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, the former Aviano Air Base, Italy, inspector general whose overturned sexual...
Stars and Stripes: Wilkerson says ‘politics’ led to his dismissal; critics call it slap on wrist
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this article from Stars and Stripes: In May, an Air Force...
Air Force Times: Protect Our Defenders: Wilkerson ouster not politically motivated
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this Air Force Times article: Protect Our Defenders blasted comments from...
STATEMENT: Protect Our Defenders Responds to Wilkerson Whine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2013 Contact: Brian Purchia, (202) 253-(202) 253-4330, brian@protectourdefenders.com *** STATEMENT *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO WILKERSON...
The Guardian: Pilot at centre of US military sexual assault controversy speaks out
The Guardian reports: A US air force pilot whose conviction for aggravated sexual assault was overturned by a commanding officer,...
PRESS RELEASE: Air Force Pilot Convicted of Sexual Assault Forced to Retire; Protect Our Defenders Calls for Lt Gen Franklin to be Removed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2013 Contact: Brian Purchia, (202) 253-(202) 253-4330, brian@protectourdefenders.com *** PRESS RELEASE *** AIR FORCE PILOT CONVICTED OF...
Air Force Times: Lt. col. granted clemency in sex assault case to retire as major
The Air Force Times reports: Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, the former Aviano Air Base, Italy, inspector general whose overturned sexual...
MintPress News: Congress Still Dragging Its Feet On Military Sexual Assault Reform
Protect Our Defenders Policy Advisor and Program Director is featured in this MintPress News article: Matthews says you also have...
Politico: Navy nominee seeks to clarify remark
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this article from Politico: And Protect Our Defenders urged senators to...
Business Insider: Air Force Officer At Center Of Sexual Assault Controversy Demoted And Forced Into Retirement
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this article from Business Insider: Head of Air Combat Command Gen....
Reuters: U.S. Naval Academy ex-athlete arraigned in sex assault case
Reuters reports: One of two former U.S. Naval Academy football players charged with sexually assaulting an intoxicated female midshipman was...
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nellis court-martial delayed; one more juror needed
The Las Vegas Review Journal reports: The military judge presiding in the sexual abuse and assault court-martial of a Nellis...
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Air Force major pleads not guilty to sex charges at Nellis court-martial
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports: Maj. Charles L. Cox Jr. pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and abuse...
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nellis major faces trial Tuesday on sex abuse charges
Protect Our Defenders is featured in this Las Vegas Review-Journal article: According to the Air Force Times, Bridges, a member...
Guest Post: Survivor Terri Odom on the Government Shutdown
Protect Our Defenders Advocacy Board Member Terri Odom submitted a guest blog post on the government shutdown. Dear Veteran Brothers...
Buffalo News: Gillibrand won’t quit on sexual assault bill
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is featured in this opinion piece from the Buffalo News: Last week, a panel under Miller’s command...
NPR: Ms. Veteran America Uses Title To Talk About Sexual Violence
Listen to NPR’s Weekend Edition discussion with United States Air Force reservist Denyse Gordon who was crowned Ms Veteran America...
Guest post: On Shultz v. Secretary of U.S. Air Force
We received this e-mail and were inspired by the message. With Catherine’s permission, we’re sharing it for others who may...
PRESS RELEASE: Protect Our Defenders Calls for Congress to Place Hold on Navy Undersecretary Nominee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2013 Contact: Brian Purchia, (202) 253-(202) 253-4330, brian@protectourdefenders.com *** PRESS RELEASE *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS FOR CONGRESS...
Stars and Stripes: Testimony from Navy undersecretary nominee raises eyebrows
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this article from Stars and Stripes: On Friday, the sexual assault...
Air Force Times: Airmen: More training for sexual assault prevention
The Air Force Times reports: Airmen want to know more about how to prevent sexual assault — and what to...
Opposing Views: Air Force Drops Discharge Charge Against Sexual Assault Victim Ciera Bridges
Protect Our Defenders is mentioned in this article from Opposing Views: The Air Force has since dropped its recommendation to...
Salon: Air Force no longer trying to discharge servicewoman who spoke out about sexual assault
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this article from Salon.com: As was made abundantly clear by the...
Politico: Navy nominee stirs sexual-assault controversy
Politico reports: “A judge advocate outside the chain of command will be looking at a case through a different lens...
Senator Gillibrand: Time to remove military sexual assault cases from the chain of command
Senator Gillibrand issued the following press release in response to written testimony from undersecretary of the Navy nominee, Jo Ann Rooney,...
Los Angeles Times: Two Navy football players to face court-martial on sex charges
The Los Angeles Times reports: In September, the woman was questioned for about 30 hours over several days by defense...
Huffington Post: Air Force Drops Discharge Of Sexual Assault Victim – After Story Breaks
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this Huffington Post article: According to a Pentagon report released earlier...
Baltimore Sun: 2 of 3 midshipmen to be tried in Naval Academy assault case
The Baltimore Sun reports: Two of the three Naval Academy midshipmen accused of sexually assaulting a female classmate at an...
PRESS RELEASE: Discharge Recommendation for Airman Who Reported Sexual Assault Pulled as Air Force Times Breaks Story
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2013 Contact: Brian Purchia, (202) 253-(202) 253-4330, brian@protectourdefenders.com *** PRESS RELEASE *** DISCHARGE RECOMMENDATION FOR AIRMAN WHO REPORTED...
Guest Blog: Support Justice for Military Women
Thanks to Sarah L. Blum for her guest plog on support for women in the Armed Forces. Sarah is a decorated...
Air Force Times: Discharge dropped for airman who claimed retaliation
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this Air Force Times story: Bridges’ parents released a statement through...
New York Times Editorial: Broken Military Justice
The New York Times Editorial Board advocates for fundamental reform to the military justice system: One crucial change would be...
Think Progress: Programs To Assist Victims Of Military Sexual Assault Remain Running During Shutdown
Think Progress reports: The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) is based within the Pentagon, coordinating similar activities throughout...
Baltimore Sun: Effort to strip Naval Academy official of review in sex assault case is denied
Attorney Susan Burke is featured in this Baltimore Sun article: Her attorney argued that Miller is biased in favor of...
Washington Post: Naval Academy superintendent doesn’t have to recuse himself from sexual assault case
Attorney Susan Burke is featured in this story from the Washington Post: The lawsuit, filed in mid-September, argued that Miller...
Associated Press: Judge Declines to Intervene in Naval Academy Case – ABC News
Attorney Susan Burke is featured in this article from the Associated Press: But Burke contended in the federal lawsuit that...
WCSC-TV: Wounded warrior achieves dream with help from the community
Survivor Jeremiah Arbogast is featured in this piece from local Charleston, SC CBS affiliate, WCSC: Motorcycle riders often say the camaraderie...
Air Force Times: ‘The doctors try to turn it around like you’re crazy’
Protect Our Defenders Policy Director Miranda Petersen is featured in the Air Force Times’ new investigative series on the culture...
Air Force Times: Master Sgt.: ‘I’ve lost faith in the Air Force system’
The Air Force Times has released a new investigative series on the culture within the United States military that keeps...
Air Force Times: Fear of retaliation: The culture that prevents airmen from speaking up
Protect Our Defenders is mentioned an Air Force Times investigative series on the culture within the United States military that...
Guardian: US fighter pilot at centre of military sexual assault row forced to retire
Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish is featured in this article from the Guardian: Military leaders have vehemently resisted proposals...
PRESS RELEASE: Air Force Pilot Convicted of Sexual Assault to Retire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2013 Contact: Brian Purchia, , brian@protectourdefenders.com *** PRESS RELEASE *** AIR FORCE PILOT CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TO...