From our Moral Injury and Veterans Symposium in September 2015. Presented by Star Lara.

1. Military Sexual Trauma
PRESENTED BY:
Star Lara
Women Veterans Program Manager
swords-to-plowshares.org
combattocommunity.org
INSTITUTE FOR VETERAN POLICY
Moral Injury Symposium

2. Military Sexual
Trauma
DEFINING MILITARY SEXUALTRAUMA
Department of Veterans Affairs: Title 38 U.S. Code 1720D
Psychological trauma, which resulted from a physical assault of a
sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment
which occurred while the veteran was serving on active duty, active
duty for training, or inactive duty training.
 Sexual harassment is further defined as repeated, unsolicited
verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is
threatening in character.

3. Military Sexual Trauma
DEFINING MILITARY SEXUALTRAUMA
Sexual assault can include any sort of sexual activity in which
someone is involved against his or her will.
 Physically forced into sexual activities.
 Unable to consent to sexual activities (e.g., when intoxicated).
 Pressured into sexual activities (e.g., with threats of consequences
or promises of rewards).
 Compliance does not equal consent.

4. Military Sexual Trauma
DEFINING MILITARY SEXUALTRAUMA
Sexual harassment can involve:
 Threatening, offensive remarks about a person’s body or sexual
activities.
 Threatening and unwelcome sexual advances.
 Unwanted touching or grabbing.

5. Military Sexual Trauma
MST is an experience, not a diagnosis
MST IS AN EXPERIENCE,
NOT A DIAGNOSIS

6. Military Sexual
Trauma
SURVIVORS
 Feel intense betrayal of loyalty and respect for service and chain of
command.
 Their value as a service member is violated.
 MST challenges service members’ socialization and values.
 They may also feel shame, guilt, and disbelief.
 They may fear retaliation or punishment.
 They may be concerned about perception of mental health and being fit to
serve.
 They may feel they need to make a choice – military career or seeking
corrective action.

7. Military Sexual Trauma
PERPETRATORS
 May wield control over the survivor.
 Likely to outrank the survivor.
 Most likely to be a member or a superior in their unit.
 Can continue to control and violate.

8. Military Sexual
Trauma
MENVS. WOMEN SURVIVORS
 While much attention has been brought to military sexual trauma among
women, the reported incidence among men has at times surpassed that of
women.
 At most, 13 percent of men report their assaults, whereas at least 40 percent of
women report and fewer men seek MST services from the VA.
 Prior to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal, men who survived military sexual assault
may have been discharged for homosexual conduct if the perpetrator was a
man.
*SAPRO 2014; GAO 2014; Burks 2011

9. Institutional Betrayal
 Introduced by Jennifer Freyd in 2009
 Refers to "wrongdoings perpetrated by an institution upon
individuals dependent on that institution, including failure to
prevent or respond supportively to wrongdoings by individuals
committed within the context of the institution
 When institutions such as universities or the military cover up or
fail to prosecute violations such as rape and sexual assault

10. Institutional Betrayal
 BetrayalTrauma
 Institutional environments are expected to be safe
 Resulting in more difficulties as one continues to try and serve after an assault
 Exacerbates the traumatic experience
 Undermines survivors' recovery

11. Common Symptoms/Impact
 Emotional extremes and/or emotional disengagement or flatness
 Difficulties with attention, concentration and memory
 Re-experiencing and strong emotional reactions to reminders
 Hyper-vigilance
 Trouble sleeping, nightmares
 Suicidal thoughts or behavior
 Self-harm
 Eating disorders
 Dissociation
 Drinking and drug use
 Re-victimization
 Difficulties with hierarchical environments

12. Thank You for Your Attendance
Copyright © 2015 by Swords to Plowshares
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or
in part in any form.
Swords to Plowshares
Institute for Veteran Policy
1060 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Star Lara
Woman Veterans Program Manager