![]() There are a number of factors that go into what type of experiences that might be faced in the wake of MST. In the case of many Veterans, MST experiences can have a prolonged effect on not just their mental health but their physical health as well, complicating their ability to work, to have healthy personal relationships, and to function on an everyday level for years after the fact. In many cases, Veterans may have already left military service before first experiencing the effects of MST. The onset of these reactions may not be immediate it’s not uncommon for problems to materialize weeks, months, or years after a traumatic event. In fact, Veterans often experience a wide range of reactions to military sexual trauma. The Effects of Military Sexual Traumaīecause military sexual trauma isn’t a diagnosis or a condition but instead a lived experience, there are no “common symptoms” of MST. MST can occur as a result of encounters with men, women, civilians, military personnel, subordinates, superiors, friends, romantic partners, or complete strangers trauma is trauma, and it has a profound and often debilitating effect on our nation’s Veterans. ![]() It doesn’t matter if a Veteran was on base or off base at the time, whether they were in active duty during war or peacetime, or whether they were on duty or off duty at the time. The effects of military sexual trauma can be profound for Veteran’s mental and physical health.Īdditionally, military sexual trauma can occur at any time during active duty or during active duty training. Whether you are physically forced into sexual activity, coerced into it under threat of force or negative consequences, or simply exposed to unwanted sexual touching, grabbing, or remarks about your body and sexuality, all of these fall under the textbook definition of MST whether a Veteran is male or female is irrelevant. That being said, anyone can experience MST, and that includes male service members as well. In many cases this is true female Veterans are statistically more likely to experience unwanted sexual advances and behavior. When a service member has such experiences, these are referred to as military sexual trauma, or MST.Īnyone Can Experience Military Sexual TraumaĪt first glance, you would expect military sexual trauma to be the exclusive purview of female armed service members. Yet in many cases, the harm these Veterans face has nothing to do with protecting American interests or defending freedom but in fending off upsetting, unwanted sexual experiences, often in the form of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or rape. ![]() The effects of military sexual trauma can impact any Veteran, male or female.Īmerican armed service members volunteer to put themselves in harm’s way in order to serve their country.
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