Military
Sexual Trauma
"The Department has a no-tolerance policy toward sexual assault.
This kind of act not only does unconscionable harm to the victim; it destabilizes the workplace and threatens national security."
~ Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is the term used for sexual assault when the victim is a member of the armed forces, however, in the Department of Defense 2009 Fiscal Year Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, it was reported that the department's own statistics indicate that only 20% of unwanted sexual contact is reported to military authorities.
It is believed that this underreporting has serious consequences in the form of military readiness. Chronic mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and substance abuse are often the long term results if victim's do not receive comprehensive help as quickly
as possible following the assault.
Resources for
Military Personnel
ashamed and saddened to walk side by side with the others in my unit.
Teresa's book helped me realize that the shame wasn't mine. The guilt wasn't mine.
I don't have to feel this way, any longer."
As so eloquently stated above, an assault on one member of the unit, is an assault on the cohesion and bonding that builds a unit that members serving together must have in order to stay safe and feel protected by one another.
As stated in the DoD 2009 Report mentioned above, "An effective fighting force cannot tolerate sexual assault within its ranks. Sexual assault is incompatible with military culture, and the costs and consequences for mission accomplishments are unbearable."
Help is Available
If your sexual assault just happened, please seek help from a military Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) who will perform a Sexual Assault Forensic Examine (SAFE) to ensure evidence is processed properly and that your immediate needs are addressed. Please learn more about TriCare benefits for active duty personnel.
Whether your sexual assault was a day ago, or a decade ago, help is available. If you're suffering from any of the following emotional, physical, or sexual symptoms, seek help as soon as possible. There are compassionate, empathic professionals waiting to help, right now, to help you through your recovery.
Trauma &
Your Emotions
Gain insight, coping skills, even resolution from lingering emotional symptoms of your trauma including:
- Inability to Concentrate
- Anxiety or Panic Attacks
- Easily Startled
- Sleep Disturbances
- Intrusive Memories
- Recurring Dreams, Nightmares
- Obsessive Thoughts
- Avoiding Thoughts or Feelings
- Little Interest in Activities
- Sense of a Shortened Future
- Limited Emotions
Trauma &
Your Health
Obtain optimum, compassionate care from health care providers for physical symptoms often accompanying assault including:
- Insomnia & Sleep Disorders
- Chronic Headaches
- Chronic Back Pain
- Chronic Gastrointestinal Issues
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Muscle Tension
- Chronic Aches & Pains
- Racing Heartbeat
- Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
- Eating Disorders & Obesity
- Addiction
Trauma &
Your Sexuality
Through advanced sexual healing techniques, I can help you alleviate symptoms often accompanying sexual assault:
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Sexual Pain Disorders
- Sexual Arousal Disorder
- Aversion to Intimacy, Sex
- Orgasmic Disorder
- Lack of Sexual Relationship
- Dissociation & Numbness
- Compulsive Sexual Behaviors
- Unhealthy Contraception
- Unexpected Emotions
- Disrupted Sexual Development
Your Next Step to Recovery
You needn't go through your recovery alone. Please make use of the many resources that can help you plan your next step by providing you with compassion and guidance:
Web Sites
Military Rape Crisis CenterSexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program (Army)
RapeRecovery.com (telephone, Skype, and in-person therapy)