Following Disappearance and Murder of Vanessa Guillén, Gillibrand Offers Amendment to Review Military’s Missing Person Investigation Procedures
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, offered an...
Chair Speier’s Amendments to Address Military Sexual Assault and Harassment and Missing Persons Cases in Honor of SPC Vanessa Guillén Pass in FY21 NDAA
Washington, DC – Two amendments introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, to...
*** PRESS RELEASE *** FIVE YEAR LEGAL BATTLE LEADS TO JUSTICE FOR MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR AND PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CLIENT; TWO STAR GENERAL PLEADS GUILTY
Washington, DC – Today, in Prince William County Virginia Circuit Court, Major General James Grazioplene pled guilty to felonious aggravated sexual battery....
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS APPLAUDS REP. SPEIER’S CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF RACIAL DISPARITIES IN MILITARY
Washington, DC – On the heels of Protect Our Defenders’ (POD) recently released report on “Racial Disparities in Military Justice,...
***STATEMENT*** AIR FORCE ANNOUNCES INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF RACIAL DISPARITIES AFTER PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE
Washington, DC – Today, the Department of the Air Force Inspector General announced it will independently review the Air Force’s record on racial disparities....
***PRESS RELEASE*** AIR FORCE CAUGHT IN COVER UP, REPEATEDLY CONCEALED RECORDS OF RACIAL DISPARITIES
Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Defenders (POD) released a new report revealing the Air Force has attempted to cover up its data...
*** STATEMENT *** VP BIDEN SUPPORTS EMPOWERING INDEPENDENT PROSECUTORS AS MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTS SURGE
Washington, DC – Today, the Pentagon released its Annual Report on Sexual Assault and Prevention (SAPR) in the Military a day after former...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders & Military Sexual Assault Survivors Announce Launch of 2020 Presidential Candidate Pledge to Help End Crisis of Military Sexual Assault
Washington, DC – Protect Our Defenders (POD), the only national organization solely dedicated to ending the epidemic of rape and sexual assault...
***STATEMENT*** IN RESPONSE TO GROUNDBREAKING PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RACIAL DISPARITY REPORT, CONGRESS MANDATES PENTAGON TRACK RACE, ETHNICITY, AND GENDER OF COURTS-MARTIALS
Washington, DC – On Tuesday, the Senate signed the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The final NDAA contains a number of...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS FILES AMICUS BRIEF BEFORE SUPREME COURT TO CLOSE LEGAL LOOPHOLE SETTING ACCUSED MILITARY RAPISTS FREE
Washington, DC – Today, Protect Our Defenders (POD) joined rape survivor and Air Force veteran Harmony Allen in filing an amicus curia brief...
***STATEMENT*** SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW LEGAL LOOPHOLE SETTING ACCUSED MILITARY RAPISTS FREE
Washington, DC – The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Friday that it would hear an appeal from the Justice Department to review a military...
***STATEMENT*** NEW PENTAGON REPORT FINDS SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY MORE LIKELY TO RESULT IN POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER THAN COMBAT
Washington DC – On Monday, the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report that determined sexual...
***STATEMENT*** AIR FORCE MISLEADS SENATORS AHEAD OF GEN. HYTEN CONFIRMATION HEARING BY CONTRADICTING FINDINGS OF ITS INVESTIGATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2019 Contact: Brian Purchia, 202.253.4330, brian@protectourdefenders.com ***STATEMENT*** AIR FORCE MISLEADS SENATORS AHEAD OF GEN. HYTEN...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS MJIA & REFORM BROKEN MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM
June 13, 2019 Contact: Brian Purchia, 202.253.4330, brian@protectourdefenders.com ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS MJIA & REFORM...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS PRESIDENT COL DON CHRISTENSEN (RET.) TO CALL FOR PENTAGON TO EMPOWER PROSECUTORS, RATHER THAN COMMANDERS, WITH THE AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2019 Washington, D.C. — Today, the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee will hold a...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS PRESIDENT COL DON CHRISTENSEN (RET.) CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT PROSECUTION OF MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2019 Washington, D.C. — Today, the United States Senate Armed Services Committee (watch live here)...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS PRESIDENT COL DON CHRISTENSEN (RET.) CALLS ON PENTAGON TO EMPOWER MILITARY PROSECUTORS OR TURN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES TO CIVILIAN JUSTICE SYSTEMS AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2019 Washington, D.C. — Today, the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee (watch live here)...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARING AFTER REPORT SHOWS 47% INCREASE IN MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2019 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARING AFTER REPORT SHOWS 47% INCREASE IN...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS SAYS DELAYED PENTAGON REPORT PUT TROOPS AND COMMUNITIES NEAR BASES AT RISK FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2018 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS SAYS DELAYED PENTAGON REPORT PUT TROOPS AND COMMUNITIES NEAR BASES...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY TO IMMEDIATELY REVIEW CLAIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS THAT WERE WRONGLY DENIED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2018 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY TO IMMEDIATELY REVIEW CLAIMS OF...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Launches National Law Center to Provide Free Legal Services to Military Sexual Assault Survivors and Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 4, 2018 ***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Launches National Law Center to Provide Free Legal Services...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO MAKE CRITICAL REFORMS TO THEIR TREATMENT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2018 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO MAKE CRITICAL...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to Senators Blocking Vote to Protect Sexual Assault Victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2018 ***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to Senators Blocking Vote to Protect Sexual Assault...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Named ‘One of the Best’ Nonprofits by the Catalogue for Philanthropy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 6, 2018 ***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Named ‘One of the Best’ Nonprofits by the Catalogue...
***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO PENTAGON REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2018 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO PENTAGON REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Veterans Groups Sue VA For Data on Bias, Sexism
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2018 ***PRESS RELEASE*** Veterans Groups Sue VA For Data on Bias, Sexism After Evidence Revealed...
***STATEMENT*** Former Head of Marines Sexual Assault and Prevention Unit and Protect Our Defenders CEO Col Scott Jensen Responds to Department of Defense Policy on Harassment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 12, 2018 ***STATEMENT*** Former Head of Marines Sexual Assault and Prevention Unit and Protect Our Defenders...
***STATEMENT*** Former Head of Marines Sexual Assault and Prevention Unit and Protect Our Defenders CEO Col Scott Jensen Responds to White House Chief of Staff Defense of Domestic Abusers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2018 Former Head of Marines Sexual Assault and Prevention Unit and Protect Our Defenders CEO...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Former Head of Marines Sexual Assault and Prevention Unit Joins Protect Our Defenders as CEO In Response to Marines United Scandal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2018 FORMER HEAD OF MARINES SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PREVENTION UNIT JOINS PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS AS...
***PRESS RELEASE*** VETS GROUPS SUE MILITARY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT RECORDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2017 ***PRESS RELEASE*** VETS GROUPS SUE MILITARY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT RECORDS Military Refuses to Disclose...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to CBS Investigation of Sexual Assault at Air Force Academy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2017 *** STATEMENT *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO CBS INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AT...
*** STATEMENT *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS JOINS SENATOR GILLIBRAND, SURVIVORS, AND ACTIVISTS TO DEMAND ACTION ON MILITARY JUSTICE REFORMS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 16, 2017 *** STATEMENT *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS JOINS SENATOR GILLIBRAND, SURVIVORS, AND ACTIVISTS TO DEMAND...
Protect Our Defenders Joins “Blood Stripe” Filmmakers for Screening and Q&A
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2017 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS JOINS “BLOOD STRIPE” FILMMAKERS FOR SCREENING AND Q&A ON...
*** STATEMENT *** Protect Our Defenders Applauds Senator Gillibrand’s Efforts to Reform the Military Justice System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 20, 2017 *** STATEMENT *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS APPLAUDS SENATOR GILLIBRAND’S EFFORTS TO REFORM THE MILITARY...
***STATEMENT*** Congress Demands Answers on Substantial and Persistent Racial Disparities in US Military Justice System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2017 *** STATEMENT *** CONGRESS DEMANDS ANSWERS ON SUBSTANTIAL AND PERSISTENT RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Supports New Bill to Close “Revenge Porn” Loophole
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2017 *** STATEMENT *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS SUPPORTS NEW BILL TO CLOSE “REVENGE PORN” LOOPHOLE...
***PRESS RELEASE*** New Report Finds Substantial & Persistent Racial Disparities in Military Justice System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2017 ***PRESS RELEASE*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RELEASES NEW REPORT THAT FINDS SUBSTANTIAL AND PERSISTENT RACIAL...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Announces 2017 Justice Award Winner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2017 ***PRESS RELEASE*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS ANNOUNCES 2017 JUSTICE AWARD WINNER Washington, D.C. – Protect...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to Pentagon Report on Sexual Assault in the Military
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2017 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO PENTAGON REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Executive Director Testifies at Congressional Hearing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 5, 2017 ***PRESS RELEASE*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TESTIFIES AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON MARINES UNITED...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to Army Recommendation That Disgraced General Keep Security Clearance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2017 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO ARMY RECOMMENDATION THAT DISGRACED GENERAL KEEP SECURITY CLEARANCE...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to New Report on Sexual Assault at Military Academies Show Crisis Getting Worse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 2017 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO NEW REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AT MILITARY ACADEMIES...
***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Protect Our Defenders Available for Questions & Comment at Tomorrow’s SASC Hearing on USMC Photo Scandal
If you would like to speak with Col. Don Christensen, please email me at: brian@protectourdefenders.com. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13,...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to DoD Investigation of Secret Marine Facebook Page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2017 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INVESTIGATION OF ABUSIVE AND MISOGYNISTIC...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Calls for Long Overdue Sentencing Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 28, 2017 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO SHOCKINGLY LIGHT SENTENCE FOR CONVICTED MILITARY SEX OFFENDER,...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to Sen. Ernst’s Suggestion for a “Buddy System” on Military Bases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2017 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO SENATOR JONI ERNST’S SUGGESTION FOR A “BUDDY...
***PRESS RELEASE*** Protect Our Defenders Calls on Congress to Pass Sentencing Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2017 *** PRESS RELEASE *** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS SENTENCING REFORM...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Statement on NDAA Provision That Would Increase Accountability for Sexual Abuse of Military Trainees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2016 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS STATEMENT ON NDAA PROVISION THAT WOULD INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SEXUAL...
Protect Our Defenders Statement on President-Elect Donald Trump and Military Sexual Assault
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 21, 2016 ***STATEMENT*** PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP AND MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT Washington, D.C....
After Senate Refuses to Debate Military Sexual Assault Reform, POD Calls on POTUS to Stand with Victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2016 ***STATEMENT*** AFTER THE SENATE REFUSED TO DEBATE MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT REFORM, PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS...