What is Military Sexual Trauma

What is Military Sexual Trauma?

Overcome MST and Get Dual Diagnosis Care at South Shores

Prospective service members entering one of the many branches of our military are vetted for physical health and mental health testing. These assessments are conducted not to question prospective members’ readiness for military service.

Just as prospective members are vetted before active-duty service, current members are also regularly monitored and given access to mental health resources to help mitigate cases of post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders.

However, there’s one mental health condition that exists that no doctor can prepare a service member for. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common mental health conditions across all military branches.

What is military sexual trauma? This defines the collateral damage that takes place after someone experiences sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other form of sexual trauma while enlisted in the military.

It’s important to understand that individuals of all stripes have experienced military sexual assault. It’s not limited to men, women, or any particular race or ethnicity. If you or someone you love has been impacted by sexual harassment in the military, this article helps you navigate military sexual trauma or unwanted advances by peers or higher-ups.

At South Shores Detox, we’ve helped many clients overcome the negative impact of military sexual trauma, and this article is an excellent starting point for the healing process.

Defining Military Sexual Trauma

Defining Military Sexual Trauma

Military sexual trauma is a term used to define the side effects of experiencing any unwanted military sexual experience. This has an impact on your physical health, but worst of all, it can be crippling on your mental wellbeing.

What most people aren’t aware of is the fact that military sexual trauma can happen as a result of several different actions and doesn’t always include sexual intercourse or physical contact.

Any situation of a sexual nature can lead to this type of trauma, manifesting disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other adverse side effects.

Any of the following are related to military sexual trauma:

  • Repeated, unwanted sexual advances (with or without physical contact)
  • Comments regarding gender identity or sexual preference
  • Constant physical compliments or being “hit on”
  • Inappropriate comments from male-to-female military veterans
  • Unwanted exchanges between male veterans
  • Inappropriate sexual jokes
  • Offering promotions or benefits in exchange for sexual favors
  • Workload increases if you reject sexual advances
  • Any unwanted sexual touching

Many family members or friends of service members assume that these harmful forms of sexual activity only happen between males and females. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Get Confidential Trauma and PTSD Assessment
CALL US AT: 833-213-3869

Who Experiences Military Sexual Trauma the Most

It seems easy to assume that women deal with sexual trauma suffered while in the Armed Forces almost exclusively, especially since these instances are what dominate news headlines.

However, men deal with unwanted sexual harassment during military service, whether it’s from peers or higher-ups.

Sexual Assault and Military Service: By the Numbers

So, how common is military sexual assault among men and women? According to data, 1 in every 3 female service members reported some type of military sexual harassment. This is compared to the 1 in 50 male sexual assault survivors. However, the following statistic sheds significant light on why these cases with men go unheard of.

According to VA services, otherwise known as the Veterans Health Administration, nearly 40% of sexual assault survivors who admit these incidents to their VA health care provider are males. These instances of sexual assault take place regardless of sexual orientation, leaving anyone at risk as a potential victim.

Because of this lack of disclosure by male service members, it’s essential to be aware of what the signs of sexual assault in the military look like. So, how do MST survivors behave, and what actions should you be mindful of?

MST Survivors: Symptoms to Be Aware Of

PTSD Symptoms

How do MST survivors behave? Typically, if someone is suffering or has suffered from military sexual trauma (MST) or outright sexual assault, you must be aware of what to look for to help guide them toward mental health treatment. Remember, these indicators can often manifest in several different mental health outcomes. Here’s what to look out for:

PTSD Symptoms

Many of those who suffer from the impact of side effects of sexual assault in the military showcase mental and physical health conditions related to posttraumatic stress symptoms. The rate of men who develop lifetime PTSD as a result of a sexual traumatic event is nearly 70%, with women closer to 50%. This demonstrates that for men, these unwanted encounters tend to be more damaging mentally.

Trauma symptoms related to PTSD include a barrage of behaviors, including:

  • Nervousness
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Outbursts when exposed to events similar to the trauma endured
  • Extreme anxiety when encountering the person who traumatized them
  • Get startled quickly from sudden contact
Get Effective Trauma Treatment Options at South Shores
CALL US AT: 833-213-3869

Difficulties Maintaining a Social Life

MST affects people in different ways. However, one of the most prevalent side effects includes challenges maintaining a social life or close personal relationships. Because of the mental health damage sustained during military sexual trauma (MST), victims find it extremely difficult to maintain a personal life with close friends, new acquaintances, and even family members.

Romantic relationships are often the most difficult, primarily because of the lack of trust for those close to you. Significant feelings of guilt and shame are involved as well. Many of those who suffer from these forms of trauma feel that the encounter was their fault, leaving a sense of embarrassment that makes it nearly impossible to function normally in any other relationship.

Physical Health Challenges

Although most of the damage sustained is mental, there are plenty of physical side effects that accompany sexual assault in the military. This includes sexual violence, mainly if the encounter is incredibly aggressive and includes unwanted sexual intercourse.

However, those who endure this type of psychological trauma can develop eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and sexually transmitted diseases. Effective trauma treatment is covered by TRICARE in most cases, and can help offset or eliminate the costs of getting this crucial form of support.

Substance Abuse Disorders

Leaning on substance use is one of the most common responses to sexual trauma in the military. Many victims turn to drugs like cocaine, heroin, pills, meth, or alcohol to deal with PTSD or trauma and with the pain of a mental or physical assault.

This is a typical response to the onset of depression or several other mental health disorders, making dual diagnosis treatment one of the best courses of action for trauma survivors. At South Shores Recovery, we offer a top-tier dual-diagnosis program and a range of other evidence-based and holistic options.

How Does South Shores Recovery Treat Military Sexual Trauma?

South Shores Recovery Treat Military Sexual Trauma

Thanks to our comprehensive program, South Shores Detox has a number of proven, evidence-based options to help victims recover from sexual trauma in the armed services.

The first step is making contact, followed by your initial admission and developing your personalized recovery plan.

Our personalized recovery plans include one or several of the following:

  • Treatment for several co-occurring disorders. Otherwise known as dual-diagnosis treatment, co-occurring disorder therapy helps you combat the mental health disorder or trauma at the center of a mental health or substance abuse issue to heal both conditions at once. Without treating both simultaneously, you’re treating the side effects, not the condition.
  • Evidence-based treatment consists of a plethora of tried and tested therapeutic mental health efforts. These forms of therapy, based on documented track records of success, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-informed treatment, and other go-to remedies. Most of these forms of treatment involve slowly exposing the client to the traumatic event or reliving it in their mind to coach them toward mental processing. In addition, clients are steered toward identifying their negative behaviors and responses to thoughts of their trauma and are taught new, more positive ways to react to these thoughts.
  • Peer group meetings are another powerful way to help work through military sexual trauma. As mentioned above, clients who suffer these situations walk away with a great deal of shame or embarrassment. Openly discussing these issues with groups of people who are battling the same thoughts and challenges allows you to open up and enhance the healing process. The only way to truly heal from trauma is to take it on face-to-face. Meeting with others can help steer you through the process and offer a sense of fellowship and security you won’t find elsewhere.

What Can I Do to Help the Healing Process?

Emotional Support Help the Healing Process?

Believe it or not, you can take many proactive actions to begin the healing process on your own. Although we strongly recommend contacting South Shores Detox and Recovery, there are always actions you can take before, during, and after treatment to help you experience relief and process your ordeal.

Optimism and Mindfulness

These two elements might seem simple, but they’re potent tools during any battle for mental peace of mind. Mindfulness is staying in the present, avoiding any harmful dwelling on your past or fears about the future. It can help move you away from crippling fear of the “what if’s” and “what might” types of thoughts you have after a traumatic event.

Although mostly self-explanatory, optimism can include several actions including prayer, manifestation, vision boards, journaling, and other confidence-building activities.

Emotional Support Animals

This is often an underused form of healing for victims of sexual trauma but can have profound results. An emotional support animal can be trained and certified, giving you the right to take them anywhere. This includes stores, restaurants, and other public events. South Shores is proud to be a pet-friendly rehab, with some exceptions.

Even properties that usually ban animals can’t turn you down if you have a dedicated support animal. These furry friends are specially trained at transferring calming energy, helping the owner maintain balance and a sense of security.

Up To 100% of Rehab Costs Covered By Insurance
CALL US AT: 833-213-3869

Contact South Shores Recovery for PTSD Support

The most important step you can take along your healing journey is to contact South Shores Detox. We offer complete discretion for all our clients and have dealt with members of the Armed Forces from every military branch possible.

South Shores Detox is also in-network with TRICARE and is convenient for clients from across South California.

Regardless of your age, background, rank, or any other characteristic, we can give you the strength you need to overcome your trauma and give you the power to take back your life and independence.

Contact a team member today to begin the most important voyage you’ll ever embark on.