Statement: Sexual Assault Prevention Programs Slashed as Military Faces Recruitment Shortfall
POD is calling for an immediate halt to the cancellation of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs across all military branches.
News Blog
Statement: Army Doctor Sentenced to 164 Months for 41 Counts of Sexual Assault
On January 15, Maj. Michael Stockin was sentenced to 164 months – the maximum sentence – after pleading guilty to sexually abusing 41 former patients (soldiers) at Madigan Army Hospital, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Hegseth’s Dangerous Views and Troubled Past Make Him Unfit to Serve as Secretary of Defense
Hegseth has expressed that women should not serve especially in combat roles, raising serious concerns about eroding progress in attracting top talent to the armed forces
Statement: Army Doctor Pleads Guilty in Historic Military Sexual Assault Case; Court to Decide Fate
On January 7, Maj. Michael Stockin pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 41 former patients (soldiers) at Madigan Army Hospital, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
POD Statement: Army Battalion Commander Found Guilty of Sexual Harassment in Landmark Military Justice Case
POD supports the victims who bravely stood up against the scourge of sexual harassment and testified during the court martial.
Protect Our Defenders Calls for Senator Ernst to Replace Hegseth as Secretary of Defense Nominee
Ernst’s leadership and reform record make her the right choice for a military facing recruitment and retention crises
Protect Our Defenders Urges Congress to Reject Pete Hegseth, Cites Risks to Healthy Command Climate, Removing Women in Combat, and Faces Sexual Assault Allegations
Protect Our Defenders warns Hegseth’s stance could undermine morale, justice reforms, and safety in the Armed Forces
Army Major Charged with Sexual Assault-Related Charges Involving at Least 20 Alleged Victims
POD is working with survivors, including civilians, in the case against Maj. Batt and is offering pro-bono legal support to...
Protect Our Defenders Applauds Military Reporter Rose Thayer on First Place Recognition
Protect Our Defenders (POD) congratulates Stars and Stripes reporter Rose Thayer on winning first place for enterprise reporting from Military Reporters and Editors, a distinguished nonprofit organization dedicated to journalists covering the military, national security, and defense.
***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Army to Rule on Media Protections in U.S. v Major Michael D. Stockin
If you would like to interview Ryan Guilds and Christine Dunn, legal representation for survivors involved in this hearing, or...
Protect Our Defenders Calls for Congressional Hearing Amid Coast Guard’s Alleged Sexual Assault Coverup
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2024 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Calls for Congressional Hearing Amid Coast Guard’s Alleged Sexual Assault...
Statement: Protect Our Defenders Applauds Historic Decline in Military Sexual Assaults
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2024 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Applauds Historic Decline in Military Sexual Assaults The report found...
***STATEMENT*** Lead Army Prosecutor Fired Following Emails Revealed Disparaging Survivors’ Assault Allegations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Lead Army Prosecutor Fired Following Emails Revealed Disparaging Survivors’ Assault Allegations POD calls...
***STATEMENT*** Army Doctor with Over 100 Victims in Historic Military Sexual Assault Scandal Faces Hearing to Determine Charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 2, 2023 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Army Doctor with Over 100 Victims in Historic Military Sexual Assault Scandal...
***STATEMENT*** Army Doctor Charged with Sexually Assaulting Multiple Active-Duty Servicemembers; POD Calls for End to Feres Doctrine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Army Doctor Charged with Sexually Assaulting Multiple Active-Duty Servicemembers; POD Calls for End...
***STATEMENT*** Washington Post Breaks News of Army Doctor Sexually Assaulting More than Twenty Active-Duty Servicemembers; POD Call for End to Feres Doctrine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Washington Post Breaks News of Army Doctor Sexually Assaulting More than Twenty Active-Duty...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Applauds President Biden for New Executive Order Implementing Historic Military Justice Reforms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Applauds President Biden for New Executive Order Implementing Historic Military...
***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Challenges Partisan House Passage of Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Challenges Partisan House Passage of Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense...
***STATEMENT*** POD, Service Women’s Action Network & Minority Veterans of America Call for Re-Examination of Pretrial Procedures by DAC-IPAD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders, Service Women’s Action Network and Minority Veterans of America Call...
***STATEMENT*** Convicted Air Force General Loses Two Stars, To Retire as Colonel After Sexual Misconduct
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 30, 2023 ***STATEMENT*** Convicted Air Force General Loses Two Stars, To Retire as Colonel After Sexual...