News Blog

Rolling back protections silences survivors, fuels corruption, and puts mission readiness at risk

Department of Veterans Affairs’ proposed rule would deny care in cases of rape or incest, rolling back hard-fought protections for veterans and military families

Protect Our Defenders filled critical gaps in advocacy and legal representation the military failed to provide civilian victims of Army serial predator

With the military failing to provide legal support to civilian victims, Protect Our Defenders is stepping in to fill the...

Ending Congressionally mandated programs and weakening protections will harm morale, deter reporting, and jeopardize mission readiness and unit cohesion.

Protect Our Defenders warns that discouraging reporting will deepen the armed forces’ recruitment and retention crisis

POD is calling for an immediate halt to the cancellation of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs across all military branches.

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 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

POD supports the victims who bravely stood up against the scourge of sexual harassment and testified during the court martial.

Ernst’s leadership and reform record make her the right choice for a military facing recruitment and retention crises

POD is working with survivors, including civilians, in the case against Maj. Batt and is offering pro-bono legal support to...

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.

If you would like to interview Ryan Guilds and Christine Dunn, legal representation for survivors involved in this hearing, or...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2024 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Calls for Congressional Hearing Amid Coast Guard’s Alleged Sexual Assault...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2024 ***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Applauds Historic Decline in Military Sexual Assaults The report found...