Military Sexual Trauma (MST) affects thousands of service members each year, with one in three women and one in 50 men saying they experienced MST when screened by their VA provider. The trauma of sexual assault leaves invisible wounds that can profoundly impact survivors’ mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Professional trauma treatment for MST survivors is not merely beneficial—it is essential for recovery and healing. When survivors access specialized care from professionals trained in trauma-informed approaches, they gain access to evidence-based treatments that can help process traumatic experiences, manage symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
These mental professionals understand the unique military context of MST, including the complex dynamics of reporting within the chain of command, potential career impacts, and the dual trauma of experiencing sexual violence within a system designed to protect its members.
The decision to seek professional support represents a courageous step toward reclaiming personal power, qualities often compromised during traumatic experiences. Professional support creates safe spaces where survivors can share their stories without judgment, reconnect with their sense of self-worth, and gradually rebuild trust in others and institutions.
Beyond individual therapy, comprehensive support may include specialized group therapy, medical care, and assistance navigating VA benefits specifically designated for MST survivors. As awareness of MST continues to grow within military and civilian communities, increasing access to professional support services remains crucial not only for individual healing but also for addressing the systemic issues that allow such trauma to occur and fostering meaningful change.
What Is Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?
Military Sexual Trauma refers to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred while the person was in the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines MST as experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that a veteran experienced during their military service.
MST encompasses a wide range of experiences, including:
- Sexual assault, rape, or attempted sexual assault
- Unwanted sexual touching or grabbing
- Threatening, offensive remarks about a person’s body or sexual activities
- Threats of negative consequences for refusing sexual advances
- Unwelcome sexual advances
What sets MST apart from sexual trauma in civilian contexts is the military environment in which it occurs. Survivors often live and work closely with their perpetrators, may be under their direct command, and operate within a hierarchical structure that can complicate reporting and seeking help. The trauma can be compounded by factors like deployment stress, combat exposure, and the close-knit nature of military units, where unit cohesion and trust are essential.
MST affects service members of all genders, ranks, backgrounds, and branches of service. The Department of Defense and VA have increasingly recognized MST as a serious issue requiring holistic trauma recovery services for survivors.
Mental Health Treatment That Works
Call 949-625-0564How Common Is Military Sexual Trauma Among Service Members?
Military Sexual Trauma affects a significant number of service members, with one in three women and one in 50 men saying they experienced MST.
Department of Defense (DoD) surveys indicate that rates of unwanted sexual contact have remained concerning despite prevention efforts. Annual reports from the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) have shown that thousands of service members experience sexual assault each year.
Underreporting remains a significant challenge in understanding the true scope of MST. Studies estimate that only about 20-43% of military sexual assaults are reported through official channels. Barriers to reporting include:
- Fear of retaliation or negative career impacts
- Concerns about confidentiality
- Worry about not being believed
- Chain of command conflicts, especially if the perpetrator is a superior
- Unit cohesion concerns and military culture
The prevalence of MST has been recognized as a serious health concern within the military community, leading to increased attention on prevention programs, reporting mechanisms, and support services for survivors.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of MST on Mental and Physical Health?
Sexual trauma during military service can have profound, far-reaching effects on survivors’ mental and physical health that may persist for decades after the traumatic experience. These impacts often intersect and compound each other, creating complex health challenges that require comprehensive care approaches.
MST is strongly associated with the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Beyond PTSD, survivors frequently experience:
- Depression and persistent mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders, including panic attacks and social anxiety
- Substance use disorders as coping mechanisms
- Suicidal ideation and increased suicide risk
- Difficulties with trust, intimacy, and relationships
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
- Dissociative symptoms and emotional numbing
- Low self-esteem and negative self-perception
- Difficulty establishing boundaries
The physical health consequences of MST are equally significant and often interconnected with mental health impacts:
- Chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and migraine headaches
- Gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome
- Sexual dysfunction and reproductive health issues
- Obesity and eating disorders
- Cardiovascular problems, including hypertension
- Immune system dysfunction and increased susceptibility to illness
- Sleep disorders, including insomnia
- Neurological symptoms
Many survivors experience medically unexplained symptoms that represent the body’s response to trauma. The physiological stress response triggered by trauma can lead to long-term dysregulation of multiple body systems, contributing to chronic health conditions.
Research has shown that MST survivors utilize healthcare services at significantly higher rates than their non-traumatized peers, reflecting the substantial health burden of this experience.
How Can Survivors of MST Begin the Healing Process?
The journey toward healing from sexual trauma in the military is deeply personal, with no single “right” path. However, certain steps and approaches can help survivors begin this important process.
For many survivors, acknowledging what happened is a crucial first step. This doesn’t necessarily mean sharing with others immediately, but rather allowing oneself to recognize the reality of the trauma. This acknowledgment can help reduce the isolation that often accompanies MST and opens the door to addressing its impacts.
Finding trauma-informed care for Veterans can be transformative. Options include:
- Individual therapy with trauma-informed providers
- Evidence-based treatments like
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Specialized MST treatment programs
- Medication management when appropriate
- Sexual trauma coordinators who can connect survivors with resources
Developing healthy self-regulation strategies helps manage trauma symptoms:
- Mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, or tai chi
- Physical activity that feels safe and enjoyable
- Creative expression through art, writing, or music
- Establishing routines that provide predictability and security
- Learning grounding techniques for managing flashbacks or anxiety
Setting small, achievable goals while practicing self-compassion helps create sustainable progress. Many survivors find that healing occurs in layers, with different aspects of the trauma becoming accessible for processing as they build strength and coping skills.
Access Support for Military Sexual Trauma at Moment of Clarity
Professional support for Military Sexual Trauma survivors provides specialized care that addresses the unique complexities of trauma experienced within the military. Moment of Clarity’s mental health facilities in Southern California offer evidence-based therapies that have demonstrated effectiveness specifically for MST-related PTSD.
Moment of Clarity aims to create a safe environment where Veterans can share their experiences without fear of judgment or repercussion. These approaches help survivors process traumatic memories and gradually reduce avoidance behaviors that maintain symptoms.
For help accessing mental health treatment at Moment of Clarity, call 949-625-0564 today.
External Sources
- MentalHealth.va.gov – Military Sexual Trauma Fact Sheet
- National Library of Medicine – The Prevalence of Military Sexual Trauma: A Meta-Analysis
- Charlie Health – Military Sexual Trauma Is Shockingly Common—Here’s How It Affects Mental Health
