What is military sexual trauma?
The U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines military sexual trauma (MST) as
experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening acts of sexual harassment.1 These traumas occur when a person is in the
military.1 The location, the genders of the people
involved, and their relationship do not matter.2
Sexual
harassment may include:
- A put-down of your gender.
- Flirting
when you've made clear it's not welcome.
- Sexual comments or
gestures about your body or lifestyle.
- Pressure for sexual
favors.
Sexual assault can be any sort of activity that you don't
want. It doesn't have to be physical. Sexual threats or bullying are sexual
assault. Rape is not the only type of sexual assault. Sexual assault is any
unwanted sexual act, including touching or grabbing.
People who
have been sexually assaulted often feel that no one can help, that they have no
power, and that it may happen again. People may tell you or indicate that the assault
was your fault or that you just need to get over it. Your military experience
may make these feelings worse. This is because the person responsible or
his or her colleagues:
- May work with and live close to
you.
- May have some control over your needs, such as medical
care.
- May have some control over your promotions and career.
The bonding within your unit can make it hard to report
your assault. You may feel torn between loyalty to your unit and to yourself,
and you may feel you need to keep quiet for the good of the group. You may feel
forced to choose between your military career and continued contact with the
person who assaulted you.
Who gets MST?
MST can happen during war, peace, or
training. It can be man-to-woman, woman-to-man, woman-to-woman, or man-to-man.
- Among veterans using VA health care, about:
- 23 out of 100 women reported sexual
assault when in the military.1
- 55 out of
100 women and 38 out of 100 men have experienced sexual harassment
when in the military.1
What happens?
There is no set reaction to MST. You
may feel fear, shame, anger, embarrassment, or guilt. You may have a response
right away, or it may be delayed for months or years. You may feel sad or
scared months or years after the assault.
After MST you
may:
- Avoid places or things that remind you of what
happened.
- Avoid your friends, family, and other
people.
- Have trouble sleeping or have nightmares.
- Feel
numb or feel nothing at all.
- Have relationship
problems.
- Think about death or killing yourself.
Some people try to deal with their feelings by pulling away
from other people, working all the time, or
using drugs or alcohol. They also may feel
depressed or have
panic attacks.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
after a sexual
assault is common.
What can I do?
After a sexual assault, many veterans
keep quiet. They worry what others will think of them, and that talking about
the assault will hurt their military careers. But the VA can help.
The VA has qualified MST counselors at every hospital. Many Vet Centers
also have an MST coordinator. This person can discuss treatment with you and
help you find the services that best fit your needs. Many VA and Vet Centers
offer services specific to men and women.
Counseling often is
used to treat MST. Your doctor also may prescribe medicines that help with
symptoms. Treatment can help you cope with trauma and regain confidence and
self-esteem.