Military sexual trauma (MST) is a common and serious problem in the military, affecting nearly 1 in 3 female veterans. MST greatly increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and chronic health problems. Treatment often requires a combination of trauma-informed care, social support, and somatic therapy [1].
If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual trauma while serving in the military, it’s important to remember that support is available and healing after sexual abuse is possible.
What is Military Sexual Trauma?
Military sexual trauma (MST) refers to experiences of sexual harassment, assault, rape, or exploitation during military service. It involves any sexual activity against your will or without consent. This also includes any activity you are coerced into (e.g., a promise of moving up higher in the ranks in exchange for sexual favors).
The term was introduced in 1999 by the US Veterans Health Administration as part of universal screening programs for veterans and military personnel to describe the harassment or assault experienced during service.
In 2018, over 20,000 service members reported experiences of military sexual assault. These numbers have increased by nearly 40% since 2016, and numbers are thought to be underreported due to fears of negative treatment or being discharged [1].
Examples of Military Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma is not just forceful rape or penetration. It can come from various forms of sexual harassment, including:
- Being coerced into sexual activity, such as through threats, or promises of moving up or better treatment
- Any sort of sexual contact without consent, including if you were intoxicated or asleep
- Physically forced or overpowered into having sex
- Being touched or grabbed in a way that violates your personal boundaries
- Threatening or aggressive comments about your body or sexual activities
Signs and Symptoms of Military Sexual Trauma
After experiencing sexual trauma, signs often manifest as physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. Some of these appear immediately following the trauma, while others may take months or years to show.
Physical Signs
- Sexual dysfunction, pain during sex
- Insomnia, nightmares
- Increased risk of UTI infections
- Increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, and other classic hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD
- Headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, chronic pain
Psychological Signs:
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations that are reminders of the trauma
- Low self-esteem, intense shame, or guilt
- Intrusive memories related to the trauma, flashbacks
- Depression, anxiety, emotional numbness
- Social withdrawal and isolation, strained relationships
- Drug or alcohol use
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harming
The Long-Term Effects of Sexual Assault and Trauma
Sexual assault and experiencing military sexual trauma greatly increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as chronic health problems such as chronic digestive problems and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Let’s look closer at some of the long-term effects of sexual assault:
- PTSD: According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 70% of sexual assault survivors experience severe distress often linked to PTSD symptoms, and between 45% and 65% of survivors are officially diagnosed with PTSD [2].
- Depression and Anxiety: Co-occurring mental health challenges like depression and anxiety are common and often lead to panic attacks, hopelessness, and mood swings.
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: Sexual trauma causes stress-related gut-brain axis disruption and increases the risk of chronic digestive disorders such as IBS [3].
- Chronic UTIs and Pelvic Pain: Physical trauma in the pelvic regions leads to increased vulnerability to urinary tract infections and chronic pelvic pain syndromes [4].
How to Heal from Sexual Trauma: The First Step Towards Recovery
Sexual trauma requires a compassionate, comprehensive approach to healing that focuses on supporting the physical, psychological, and emotional health of victims. For veterans who have suffered from MST, the VA covers all related treatment. Some effective therapies for treating sexual trauma include:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Trauma therapy that uses bilateral stimulation of the brain with guided eye movements to process deeply stored memories and reduce associated emotional distress.
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Similar to EMDR, Accelerated Resolution is a growing, effective treatment for quickly processing trauma and helps sexual trauma survivors quickly reprocess traumatic memories through guided eye movements and visualization, allowing the brain to “rescript” distressing images without having to verbally recall painful details.
- Somatic Therapy: Research shows that somatic therapies such as dance and movement can be particularly helpful for processing and releasing sexual trauma and reducing symptoms of chronic pain or digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) [5].
- Trauma-Informed Yoga: This helps victims reduce somatic symptoms of trauma and regain a sense of control and autonomy over their body. It is often used as a supplemental therapy alongside conventional trauma therapies.
Healing from MST Through Trauma-Focused Care at Harper Clinic, Utah
Harper Clinic is a state-of-the-art functional medicine clinic in Utah, providing trauma-informed care to veterans and military personnel who have experienced sexual trauma. We understand the sensitive nature of treating sexual trauma and provide a blend of holistic, therapeutic interventions to help survivors heal.
Our evidence-based trauma therapies like EMDR and ART can help patients rapidly process distressing memories, while our holistic healing activities such as yoga, massage, and reiki can help those who have experienced sexual violence reclaim over control over their bodies and heal their spirit. For compassionate support and trauma-informed care, contact our team today.
Sources
[1] Hill & Ponton. 2023. Facts on Military Sexual Trauma and Statistics. Hill & Ponton Veteran Disability Associates.
[2] Fitzpatrick, S. et al. (2023). PTSD in the Year Following Sexual Assault: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. Trauma, violence & abuse, 24(2), 497–514.
[3] Bian, X. et al. (2014). Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome. World journal of gastroenterology, 20(39), 14126–14131.
[4] Nordling, J. et al. (2011). Childhood sexual trauma in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: a case control study. Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada, 5(6), 410–415.