Military Sexual Trauma Explained in Five Questions

Sexual violence is a severe societal problem and sadly extends to the military. Military sexual trauma is any sexual assault or harassment experienced during your service. It includes all sexual activities you were involved in against your will, or you couldn’t say no.

MST should be considered more serious, especially since the damage is visible after spending years in therapy. Recent research shows that over 12,000 US veterans annually claim compensation related to MST, but nearly half get denied. If you are a victim, seek legal representation to ensure you increase your chances of securing worthy compensation.

Here are five questions to help you understand more about military sexual trauma and how to deal with victims.

1.      What’s Military Sexual Trauma?

MST refers to a subset of personal trauma relating to sexual harassment, assault, or rape during military service. It includes any involuntary sexual activity within the military setting. Common examples include the following:

• Being coerced or pressured into sexual activities could be threats or promises of better treatment
• Non-consensual sexual contact or activities
• Being physically forced into having sex
• Sexual comments about your body or sexuality that you find uncomfortable
• Threatening and unwarranted sexual advances

2.      Who Suffers from Military Sexual Trauma?

Military sexual trauma is a widespread issue affecting thousands, if not millions, of veterans globally. If you are a victim of MST, just know you are not alone. According to the DoD 2019 annual report data, of 20,500 service members, 13,000 are men, and 7,500 are women. It also mentioned that two-thirds of MST cases go unreported as only 1 in 3 victims report an assault.

Any service member can experience military sexual trauma regardless of gender or age. However, several studies show it’s higher among females than females. It’s also higher in younger veterans, as reports show over 22% of veterans are lower than 29 years, while 4.5% for those over 60 years. It’d help to note several variables that affect the psychiatric and medical consequences of MST.

3.      How Does It Impact Veterans?

MST is another form of trauma that negatively affects the victim’s mental and physical health for years after the incident. Sadly, it is associated with increased psychiatric conditions, suicide cases, and reduced quality of life and functioning. Military sexual trauma also leads to elevated rates of depression, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder among veterans.

If you are a victim of MST, you could experience the following:

• Difficulty feeling safe
• Sleep complications
• Depression
• Disturbing memories and nightmares
• Physical health problems

4.      What Do I Need to Prove I Am an MST Victim?

To prove you are a victim of military sexual trauma, you must have served and shown a current physical or mental condition affecting your body. Most importantly, you must establish a link between the disability and the event during your service. The VA will require evidence to establish the assault, proof that it caused or aggravated your condition, and that you still suffer. Evidence from the following sources is acceptable for MST victims:

• Investigate reports from the military
• Mental health counseling centers
• Sexual harassment reporting forms from the Department of Defense
• Law enforcement reports
• Hospitals

5.      How Does the VA Handle Military Sexual Trauma?

Military sexual trauma is a priority for the VA, especially after the spike in reported cases. They consider these claims more liberally, which has led to adjusting the evidence standards. Most evidence for MST cases comes from not-so-official channels but is accepted because of the cases’ nature. However, the VA still has a lot to do as more cases go unreported.

To build a more assertive military sexual trauma case, you’ll need to find an experienced attorney. They’ll help pursue better compensation while ensuring the offending parties are held responsible. A legal professional guarantees better control of the process, which is why you need one.