POD combats sexual violence, victim retaliation, misogyny, sexual prejudice, and racism in the military and its justice system. Pro-bono lawyers and staff provide free, direct legal assistance to over 200 survivors as they face retaliatory discharges, errant medical diagnoses, privacy violations, discrimination, and other unjust consequences of reporting assault and mistreatment. Meanwhile, POD fights the culture of harassment in the military through training and prevention programs and by leveraging the power of survivor stories in the media and congressional testimony. Legal challenges in military court and extensive policy advocacy let POD expand legal protections for survivors and enforce their rights. Even with disruptions caused by COVID-19, POD continues to provide pro-bono services, educate the public, provide groundbreaking research reports, and lead in successfully changing laws. Our service members deserve a justice system worthy of the American principles they dedicate their lives to protect.

Headquarters: VA-Fairfax County

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Statewide; VA-Statewide

Age Groups Served: All

Population(s) Served: Veterans/Military Families


  • Played a pivotal role in changing MJIA and NDAA legislation:   19 reforms to-date
  • Free casework or legal representation through pro bono attorneys:   More than 1,000 survivors served
  • Held military accountable through groundbreaking reports:  
    2 reports resulted in legal remedies. Our report on Racial Disparity in military justice resulted in a GAO investigation.

Awards & Recognition

n/a

Press

  • Bad Santa: Pentagon releases report on sexual harassment at Navy's boozy Christmas bash
    Fri Oct 12 2018, USA Today  
    The Navy's top officer was rebuked over mishandling of a case involving misconduct of an aide at a boozy party...
    connect here

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • The current budget for Protect Our Defenders is: Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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