Military Sexual Trauma: Effects & Veteran Resources

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href="/includes/SpryCollapsiblePanel.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /> <script src="/includes/aria.accordion2.min.js"></script> <style></style> <div class="main-image"><img alt="men and women talking in a group setting" class="img-responsive" src="/images/page-banners/hero-mst.jpg" width="100%" /></div> <h1 id="mhs-page-title" class="page-title-blue">Military Sexual Trauma</h1> <div class="startnav"></div> <nav id="table-of-content" class="nav-buttons tabs" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="mhs-page-title"> <div id="toc" class="toc"> <button class="toc-toggle" type="button"><span class="sr-only">Toggle Table of Content</span></button> <ul class="menu-buttons"> <li id="overview-tab" class="toc-list-item"><a href="/msthome/index.asp">Overview</a></li> <li id="treatment-tab" class="toc-list-item"><a href="/msthome/treatment.asp">Treatment</a></li> <li id="coping-tab" class="toc-list-item"><a href="/msthome/coping.asp">Coping</a></li> <li id="resources-tab" class="toc-list-item"><a href="/msthome/resources.asp">Resources</a></li> <li id="next-step-tab" class="toc-list-item"><a href="/msthome/next-step.asp">Take the Next Step</a></li> <li id="saapm-tab" class="toc-list-item"><a href="/SAAPM/index.asp">SAAPM</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav>  <div class="usa-alert usa-alert-warning"> <div class="usa-alert-body"> <h2 class="usa-alert-heading">Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?</h2> <div class="alert-box"> <button class="accordion-trigger" type="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="crisis-alert">Find support anytime day or night</button> <div id="crisis-alert"> <p>To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:</p> <ul> <li><a href="tel:988">Dial 988 then Press 1</a>.</li> <li>Start a <a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat" target="_blank">confidential chat</a>.</li> <li>Text 838255.</li> <li>If you have hearing loss, call TTY: Dial 711 then 988.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div>           <h2>Overview</h2> <p>VA uses the term “military sexual trauma” (MST) to refer to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service. MST includes any sexual activity during military service in which you are involved against your will or when unable to say no. Examples include:</p> <ul> <li>Being pressured or coerced into sexual activities, such as with threats of negative treatment if you refuse to cooperate or with promises of better treatment</li> <li>Sexual contact or activities without your consent, including when you were asleep or intoxicated</li> <li>Being overpowered or physically forced to have sex</li> <li>Being touched or grabbed in a sexual way that made you uncomfortable, including during “hazing” experiences</li> <li>Comments about your body or sexual activities that you found threatening</li> <li>Unwanted sexual advances that you found threatening</li> </ul> <h3 id="about">About Military Sexual Trauma</h3> <div style="margin: 0 0 30px 0;" class="embed-container"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b9snig5gZfk" title="About Military Sexual Trauma" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy"></iframe></div> <p>Watch the video shown above to learn more about what MST is, how it affects people who experience it and what VA services are available to MST survivors.</p> <p>Explore <a href="/msthome/treatment.asp">treatment options for conditions related to MST</a>.</p> <h3>Impact</h3> <p>People of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and branches of service have experienced MST. Like other types of trauma, MST can negatively affect a person’s mental and physical health, even many years later. Things you may experience could include:</p> <ul> <li>Disturbing memories or nightmares</li> <li>Difficulty feeling safe</li> <li>Feelings of depression or numbness</li> <li>Using alcohol or other drugs to numb or escape from negative feelings</li> <li>Feeling isolated from other people</li> <li>Difficulties with anger, irritability, or other strong emotions</li> <li>Self-doubt, self-blame, or decreased self esteem</li> <li>Issues with sleep</li> <li>Physical health problems</li> </ul> <p>If you are having any current difficulties related to MST, VA is here to support you in whatever way will help you best — from learning more about how MST affects people, to treatment that helps you cope with how MST is impacting your life currently, or if you prefer, treatment that involves discussing your experiences in more depth.</p> <p>For questions about treatment and health care options related to MST, talk with an <a href="/msthome/vha-mst-coordinators.asp">MST Coordinator</a> at a VA health care facility near you.</p> <div style="margin-top: 20px;" class="light-blue-box"> <h3>Veteran Resources</h3> <div class="app-item"> <div class="col-left"><img alt="Beyond MST Mobile App icon" src="/images/app-Beyond-MST.png" style="width: 100%; max-width: 100px;" /></div> <div class="col-right"> <h4><strong><a href="https://mobile.va.gov/app/beyond-mst" target="_blank">Beyond MST Mobile App</a></strong></h4> <p>Free, secure and private self-help mobile app created specifically to support the health and well-being of survivors of MST. The app has over 30 specialized tools and other features to help MST survivors cope with challenges, manage symptoms, improve their quality of life and find hope. Users do not need to create an account or be in treatment to use the app. Any personal information entered in the app is not shared with anyone, including the VA.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="margin-top: 20px;" class="blue-box seek"> <h3>Learn More</h3> <p><a href="/msthome/treatment.asp">Read about MST-related care at VA.</a></p> <p><a href="/msthome/next-step.asp">Take the next step with VA.</a></p> <p><a href="/healthcare-providers/mst.asp">Find information for health care providers</a></p> </div> <div class="usa-alert usa-alert-email" id="newsletter-signup"> <div class="usa-alert-body"> <h3 class="usa-alert-heading">Newsletter Sign Up</h3> <form id="GD-snippet-form" action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/subscribers/qualify" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /> <input type="hidden" name="topic_id" id="topic_id" value="USVHA_36" /> <fieldset> <p>Receive monthly emails about the latest mental health and suicide 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href="http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/ProgramOverview/wvcc.asp"><img class="center-block" src="/images/Callout_WomensCallCenter.png" alt="Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-VA-WOMEN" / ></a></div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/includes/external-link.js" ></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/includes/sticky-nav.js" ></script> <div class="clearfix"></div> <div class="top_link"><a href="#top">return to top <img height="10" width="7" src="/va_files/2014/responsive/images/arrow_up.png" alt="go"></a></div> </div>  </div> </div> </div>  </div> </section> </div> </div> </div>  <div id="footer-effect"> <div class="container" id="footer"> <div class="row"> <div class="VHA-administration-logo"><img src="/TS_SHARED/va_administrations/VHA/VAMC/images/homepage/vha-excellence.png" height="46" width="198" alt="VHA Excellence"></div> <div class="footer-accordion"> <div class="col connect"> <span class="blue-hdr top-level"><a 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<div class="ftrcls"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/default.asp" >Veterans Health Administration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/" >Veterans Benefits Administration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cem.va.gov/" >National Cemetery Administration</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> </div> <div id="sub-footer"> <p>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420</p> <p class="small-print">Last updated October 9, 2024</p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="modal-crisisline" class="va-overlay va-modal va-modal-large" role="alertdialog" > <div class="va-crisis-panel va-modal-inner va-rounded--all"> <h2 id="va-crisis-title" class="va-text-center va-uppercase">Get help from Veterans Crisis Line</h2> <div class="va-overlay-body va-crisis-panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="tel:988" tabindex='0' id="va-crisis-primary"><i class="fas fa-phone icon-left" aria-hidden="true"></i> Call <strong>988 (Press 1)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="sms:838255"><i class="fas fa-mobile-alt icon-left" aria-hidden="true"></i> Text to <b>838255</b></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ChatTermsOfService.aspx?account=Veterans%20Chat"><i class="far fa-comments"></i> Chat <b>confidentially now</b></a></li> <li ><i class="fa fa-fw fa-deaf icon-left margin-right-2 margin-top-2 fa-lg" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="tel:18007994889"> Call TTY if you have hearing loss <strong>1-800-799-4889</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, visit <a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">VeteransCrisisLine.net</a> for more resources.</p> </div> <button class="va-modal-close va-overlay-close" type="button" id="va-vcl-close-btn"><span class="usa-sr-only">Close this modal</span> <i class="far fa-times-circle fa-2x va-overlay-close usa-text-blue" aria-hidden="true" title="close this modal"></i> </button> </div> </div> <script 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Military Sexual Trauma: Effects & Veteran Resources - Mental Health