A series of insights, reflections, and practical tips based on real-world experience supporting military-connected survivors and training the teams who serve them.
I spoke at NOVA 52 on the gap between military and civilian protective orders — and why that gap is costing survivors their kids. You never have to tell a survivor "I can't help you" because someone in your network can if you take the time to invest in it....
For 75 years, the Feres doctrine has blocked service members from suing the government for injuries "incident to service," including sexual assault. The Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act (Shaheen-Kennedy) would finally change that....
From the NCVLI conference in Portland: the system doesn't fail victims randomly. It fails them predictably when they're alone in it. Counsel is the right that makes all the other rights real....
When an MST survivor files a VA disability claim, benefits start from the date they filed — not the date they were harmed. Several bills would change that. The law should meet survivors where they started and not where they landed....
MST survivors often leave with no documentation, unaware they could apply for VA benefits — because at the time, they were too broken to ask. It may look like there is nothing to work with, but there is usually more than you think....
We remember our fails; tend to forget the wins; and we rarely realize the impact of the small things we did while just trying to show up. You may not remember, but someone does....
Secretary Hegseth called for a "ruthless review" of military legal offices. The most important question isn't what was announced — it's whether it was ever built....
The courtroom fight and the legislative fight are not separate battles. They're the same one. Status at the time of assault determines which claims exist, which courts are open, and which legal cracks a survivor can squeeze through....
One of the quiet traps for survivors is assuming that a "safety plan" means the same thing everywhere — because it doesn't. State law governs housing, and military advocates and Victim Counsel need to know the difference....
New Bern, NC got 18 inches of snow — the most in 100 years — I was the only person out on the golf course with my cross-country skis, not really expecting anything to happen. It did....
I've written before about administrative separation boards, but this is about the cost of doing nothing. After representing 80+ victims, here's the hard truth: most sexual assault cases in the military will never go to court-martial....
A year ago, I thought I knew what my "next" looked like - I was wrong...
As Christmas rolls around this week, I keep thinking about a different kind of "Christmas" I had back in 2016—in Hawaii. At the time, I was living in Alaska and was representing my first child client....
Every time another case surfaces involving a doctor who assaults or secretly records patients, the pattern is so predictable — someone tried to warn; someone reported; no one was heard....
After almost 30 years of being a lawyer, just when I think "I've got this, it should be no problem" I realize how much I still have to learn. Recently, while helping a survivor in civilian court, I slammed into a wall that every attorney will hit....
Most military-connected victims have been told what to do and options available if they are assaulted. When making unrestricted reports, victims typically cooperate, give statements, interview, and many participate....
This month I was unexpectedly thrown back into the fires of civilian court after being away for 25 years. To be honest, it's been scary and absolutely not what I thought I'd be doing....
A domestic abuse incident occurs on a military installation between spouses, and the command issues a No Contact Order instead of a Military Protective Order. Does the distinction matter? Absolutely....
If a case isn't prosecuted in the criminal realm, victims often turn to civil court, where the burden of proof is lower. A decision not to prosecute is not the same as finding nothing happened....
Since December 2023, the OSTC has had exclusive authority to decide whether to prosecute cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, kidnapping, and retaliation....
Legal proceedings have begun for four soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a college student in the barracks at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in October 2024....
When I was Deputy Program Manager for the National Guard SVC program, we found that 43% of SVC cases had an active-duty component. Are you asking the right questions up front?...
In 1993, North Carolina became the last state to abolish the marital rape exemption. The intersection of military life and domestic violence creates unique jurisdictional and advocacy challenges....
What happens when a servicemember is groped or sexually assaulted by a civilian? Generally, local law enforcement has jurisdiction if off base, and there may be concurrent investigative authority if on base....
Civilian victims are not eligible for free legal representation under the military's Victim Counsel programs. Here's what they can access — and what bridges still need to be built....
The tragic case of Sailor Angelina Resendiz shows why it's essential to determine proper jurisdiction in military investigations by identifying the status of the individuals and where the incident occurred....
Early jurisdictional missteps create long-term challenges — especially when victims are initially interviewed by the wrong investigative authority. Status and location determine everything....
Not every survivor chooses to participate in a court-martial or trial — and not every case proceeds to prosecution. When criminal avenues close, what justice options remain?...
"Why didn't they report?" "Oh, she reported and now is not going to cooperate???" We hear it all the time — but the reality is far more complex than filling out a form....
In 2012, I was a deployed JAG officer in Egypt when I was part of something I'll never forget. If someone on our camp was sexually assaulted, they had to be transported by helicopter to receive a SAFE exam....