• Mar 28, 2024
  • 7:08 PM

Virtual Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Educational Series


Virtual Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Educational Series

October 6, 13, and 20, 2020 at 1pm

TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS, CLICK HERE

As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, all veterans, active duty, Nevada National Guard, Reserves, healthcare providers, community partners, and supporters are invited to attend this free, three-part virtual series, exploring the identification, treatment, and mental health impacts of MST. These events are hosted and funded by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS), developed in partnership with the Perry Foundation and supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is Military Sexual Trauma?

The VA considers MST to be sexual assault or sexual harassment, occuring during military service. A perpetrator of MST can be a man, woman, fellow service member, civilian, stranger, friend, or intimate partner. Moreover, an MST event can happen while a person is on or off duty and can occur both on or off base.

The lasting mental, emotional, and physical effects of sexual assault and sexual harassment on military personnel can be even more severe than the rape experience in the civilian world as the survivor may see their perpetrator at work every day. Because service members work, share living quarters, and socialize together, a survivor may feel incredibly helpless and trapped, lacking the ability to change the circumstances of their daily life.

A DOD Workplace and Gender Relations Survey (WGRS) conducted from 2002 to 2012 in the military found that approximately 8% of women and 3% of men experienced coercive sexual harassment with either the threat of negative consequences or promises of benefits (i.e., quid pro quo).

To understand the number of people affected, VA Healthcare does universal screening and has found that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 100 men have experienced MST. Though the percentage of women who report incidents is higher, the actual total number of men who have experienced MST is far greater because there are more males in the military. Just under 40% of all MST survivors treated by the VHA are men. In addition, the far-reaching repercussions of MST are demonstrated by the sheer volume of veterans who seek medical care from the VA. For instance, in 2015 the VA reported 1,307,781 patient visits for MST-related care.

Military sexual trauma is an issue that affects not only veterans but all our lives as it impacts relationships, work, health, and financial stability.

Resources

VA MST Information – Treatment and Resources

Local VA Medical Center MST Coordinator

Local Vet Center or the 24-hour call center 1-877-927-8387

Military OneSource “Getting Help with Relationship Sexual Abuse”

PsychArmor online MST Course for Healthcare providers

What You Should Know If You Are a Military Sexual Trauma Survivor

Make the Connection (Find MST related videos where survivors and family members share their stories)

DoD Safe Helpline (Active Duty) 877-995-5247

Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1

National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-4673