Military Sexual Trauma
Sexual Trauma in Veterans
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is a term used to refer to a wide range of issues including sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. MST is incredibly common with as many as one in three female veterans and one in 100 male veterans experiencing it at some point in their careers. Females are at greater risk statistically, but nearly 40 percent of all new disclosures of MST to the Veterans Administration are men.
The VA does provide certain types of support for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while serving in the military. Currently, the VA offers free treatment for physical or mental health conditions related to MST without proof of disability ratings. Each VA medical facility is required to have an onsite MST coordinator who serves as a contact for all issues related to sexual trauma and who can assist veterans in accessing any needed care. Counseling, outpatient health services, inpatient treatment and mental health services may be available.
Symptoms of MST
The symptoms associated with MST are very similar to those of other mental health issues affecting veterans, with some significant differences. Survivors of MST may experience:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - Both in and out of the military, survivors of sexual assault are far more likely to experience PTSD than those who are never victims of this type of trauma. Studies show that 65 percent of men and 50 percent of women who are survivors of sexual assault also develop some level of PTSD. In veterans, this diagnosis is also linked more frequently to mood disorders and substance abuse disorders.
- Difficulty sustaining relationships - Many veterans who have experienced MST have difficulty sustaining personal relationships, often due to trust issues and inability to engage in social interaction successfully. They may suffer from anger, guilt and shame over the circumstances of the assault, and find it difficult to express their feelings to people who understand.
- Substance Abuse - Sexual assault survivors are as much as ten times more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs than those who have not suffered from MST. Marijuana, cocaine, alcohol and other illicit drugs are often ways of coping with the pain of reliving these experiences, and both physical and mental addiction may take place after a period of use, making it even harder to break the deadly cycle.
Is Military Sexual Trauma Qualification for a Disability Rating?
While basic care services may be accessible to many veterans, the question of whether a survivor can receive compensation or benefits under a disability rating is a bit more complicated. As with any disability issue, the first step is to apply for disability based on the issues surrounding the MST and its aftermath. Once this process has been started, a disability determination will be made by the VA and compensation may or may not be awarded, based on that decision.
Unfortunately, all too often MST survivors experience problems in trying to collect compensation for their injuries or their ongoing pain and suffering. In these cases, veterans may need help navigating the complicated system of disability.
