ARMY DOCTOR, MAJ. MICHAEL STOCKIN PLEADING NOT GUILTY AFTER ASSAULTING DOZENS

Maj. Michael, a physician who is facing dozens of charges from sexual abuse, including touching patients and more. He plans on pleading not guilty to all charges. His next hearing is scheduled for April 17th; this is a fight that has just begun and might get more complex throughout.

Doctor’s Downfall: Major Michael Stockin Faces Dozens of Charges

Maj Michael Stockin, 38, Army physician is going down the pit hole for multiple charges of sexual abuse. Although he has several allegations of touching patients and invading individuals privacy; his lawyer says he plans to plead not guilty.

He was arraigned at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, on 47 counts of abusive sexual contact and fine of indecent viewing, involving 41 victims. Robert Capovilla, his attorney, seems confident that this will end in a positive way for Maj Michael Stockin.

It is said that Maj Michael D Stockin fondled male victims during medical exams for sexual gratification from roughly 2019 through March 2022 while he was working at Madigan Army Medical Center. Additionally, he viewed private areas of victims without their consent.

47 counts of abusive sexual contact and still pleading not guilty, very brave of Maj. Michael D. Stockin, don’t you think?

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Breaking the Silence: Shedding Light on Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces

Sexaul assault in the army is more common than you think sadly. Some incidents are not reported because the individual wants to forget about it and move on. Sexual assault has increased over the past 10 years, something needs to change.

Dr. Nate Galbreath, deputy director of DoD’s Sexual Assault, says “Commanders have a difficult choice between believing victims allegation versus people that they might know in their unit.” In these situations we have to think to ourselves what if that was one of my loved ones.

So, why does sexual assault happen in the army? There is no answer to this question. Individuals should be aware of their surroundings and not trust everyone around them. To add on, percentages of sexual assault fluctuate, the highest percentage of cases being reported is 76% in 2014 and the lowest being 62% in 2017.

Reports in 2022

Reports during the year 2020 and 2021 increased 25%, but fell down 9% during 2021 and 2022. Data that was taken in 2022 does not include an exact estimate, individuals have the chance to detail incidents of unwanted sexual contact that were not officially reported.

In most cases, people don’t want to put themselves out there and worry about the outcomes. The report that is usually shown is far from a complete picture of the military’s handling of sexual assault. Culture needs to be looked at carefully on bases and changes need to be made.

How to Prevent Sexual Assault in the Military

There are many ways to prevent sexual assault from happening. In the military they provide Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP), this is one of the Army’s ways to try and prevent sexual assault from happening. Additionally they try to:

• Reduce the stigma of reporting
• Protect the victim
• Increase prevention, training, and resources

The Army tries its best to prevent sexual assault from happening, one assault is one too many. Step up and help those around you as much as you can! The more people that step up the less likely this will take place.

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