Sexual Trauma In The Military

The military has been about being a cohesive group and working together as one. Thus, many victims do not report sexual trauma because of being accused of terminating that cohesive group regardless who should be blamed. Therefore the military has an option for the victims to file a restrictive or unrestrictive report. Thus, the victim has the choice to remain anonymous in a restricted report, and receive necessary medical and psychological treatment. Or victims can choose an unrestricted report and press formal charges against the assailant, but they must disclose all of their information as well (Williams & Bernstein, 2011). This can come at a high cost to the victim if they want to press charges against their assailant. For instance some victims are prosecuted under an Article 15 for drinking or adultery for the same incident (Krul, 2008). The circumstances could impair the victim’s aspirations of making the military a career in the future. That incident could further reduce any chances of future promotions or even could result in a discharge from military service.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST), includes any sexual activity where you were involved against your will. When assessing a service member for MST it is important to use a biopsychosocial approach. Some biological or physical responses to MST may include, sexual difficulties, chronic pain, weight or eating problems or gastrointestinal problem. Psychologically, as a result of the MST service members may have PTSD or depression. They may also experience strong emotions, difficulties with memories, feeling of numbness, or trouble sleeping due to nightmares. Socially, service members may experience difficulties in their relationships. As a result of all of these symptoms, as service member may have problems with alcohol or drugs to cope with the emotions or memories they may have regarding the incident.

The diagnosis of PTSD and those suffering from it have earned public compassion and understanding. Moral injury is not officially recognized by the Defense Department. But it is moral injury, not PTSD, which is progressively being acknowledged as the signature wound of this generation of veterans. Moral injury leaves a bruise on the soul, similar to grief or sorrow, with lasting impact on the veterans and their families. Moral injury raises unpleasant questions about what happens in war and the dreary experiences that many veterans are reluctant to talk about. It is not fear, but exposure, that causes moral injury. Any experience or set of experiences can provoke mild or intense grief, shame and guilt. The symptoms are similar to PTSD: depression and anxiety, difficulty paying attention, an unwillingness to trust anyone except fellow combat veterans, however the morally injured feel sorrow and regret as well. Moral injury wounds are caused by the conflict of the ethical beliefs they carried to war and the dangerous realities of conflict. Many have found peace and acceptance: I did what I had to do, and I did it well and honorably. However, others struggle to reconcile with themselves who proudly enlisted just years before. Either way, they manage mostly out of sight and on their

In “The Invisible War,” it is noted that “women who have been raped in the military have a PTSD rate higher than men who have been in combat” (The Invisible War, 2012). The impact that military sexual assault has on victims is tremendous. Both physical and mental trauma are common, and they play a significant role in how victims of sexual assault are able to return to their daily lives.

It is natural for a person to experience worry after a disturbing event. According to Junger it is nearly impossible to not react to a traumatic event. “Almost everybody exposed to trauma reacts by having some sort of short-term reaction to it--acute PTSD” (Junger 80). Most people are able to recover at a rate much faster than war veterans, even though many rape instances may have been significantly more traumatizing than the aspects of the war. This is related to the fact that rape victims do not wish to retain any of their memories, while war victims have many positive aspects of the war. “Treating combat veterans is different from treating rape veterans don’t have this idea that some aspects of their experience are worth retaining” (Junger 81). Comparatively, the war veterans do have a lot of negative experiences, but they also have many great experiences of camaraderie with fellow soldiers. Many soldiers were able to form lasting relationships preceding and during the war, but after the war had trouble forming new relationships. This resulted in the implementation of service dogs to help transition soldiers back to society again. “In this regard, reporters' media accounts of the experiences of veterans with PTSD and the general public's social media response comments were subjected to a triangulated

Many question women’s overall mental ability to handle the extreme circumstances during war. But the truth of the matter is that no human is immune to mental effects and trauma (Sisters in Arms). According to former Marine officer Jane Blair,“Post-traumatic stress disorder is an unfortunate consequence of war, especially for those who have served multiple deployments — and sadly, no gender is immune to it (Blair).” Blair makes a very clear argument about how men and women are all human and that we are all subject to discomfort from conscious decisions. Troops, whether it be male or female have no control over their mental state after seeing some of the harsh effects of war, whether it be a fallen friend in their batoon, or having to take the life of an innocent child in the wrong place at the wrong time. Things like this can have a powerful effect on any person, no matter their gender.

Military Pathway (2013) concluded “Military life, especially the stress of deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult”. Hence, it is not surprising that soldiers returning from a stressful war environment often suffer from a psychological condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This paper provides a historical perspective of PTSD affecting soldiers, and how this illness has often been ignored. In addition, the this paper examines the cause and diagnosis of the illness, the changes of functional strengths and limitations, the overall effects this disease may have on soldiers and their families, with a conclusion of

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the issue of rape and sexual assault in the military. The number of attacks for rape and sexual assault in the military are at an all-time high. Women have recently been allowed to fight on the front line. While this may be a huge achievement for women-kind, for this woman, it is a very scary thought. I am a junior at Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences; a school geared towards students wishing to enter the medical field. I may be forced to join the military one day if a war breaks out and women are needed to protect the country. I would be happy to serve my country if I did not have to be scared of my fellow soldiers. Rape and sexual assault are major issues in the military and

More than a decade after rape or physical assault during military service, women reported severely decreased health-related quality of life, with limitations of physical and emotional health, educational and financial attainment, and severe, recurrent problems with work and social activities.” (Para 4.) The article talks about the frequency of women getting raped or sexually assaulted, and the injuries that these women face physically and emotionally, even years after the incident occurs. In this particular study, a “Cohort of women veterans who served in the Vietnam, post-Vietnam, or Persian Gulf War era was selected.” (Para 9.) Around six hundred women participated in this study, and “Almost half the participants (48%) reported some type of physical or sexual victimization during their military service. Physical assault was reported by 35%, and most (58%) had been assaulted at least twice. Rape was reported by 30%, in 11% it was attempted and in 19% completed.” The seriousness of these situations recurring should not go

In the military, most female victims are sexually assaulted by male offenders; however male victims are sexually assaulted by roughly equal percentages of male and female offenders. Physical injuries and sexually transmitted infections can sometimes occur. While some sexual assaults can result in very serious injury, many involve minor or nonvisible injuries to victims. Psychological injuries may occur immediately following the assault or weeks. Psychological injuries may not resolve without treatment—victims can’t just “get over it.” Fear, irritability, confusion, and sleep disruption, may often occur during or immediately following the assault. In about one third of cases, victims may experience post-traumatic anxiety symptoms that interfere with their work, social or home life. Some victims may also experience serious depression or problems with alcohol and substances as they try to reduce the intensity of the problem the symptom. Also suicide can take place from emotion

Sexual violence in the military is a alarmingly common and has been widely covered by the media. Sexual violence is defined as a sexual act committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent. Sexual violence against soldiers and civilians have been a dark part of the U.S military’s history. The United States military created the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program also known as S.H.A.R.P for victims of military sexual violence to report these heinous crimes. S.H.A.R.P is a safe place for victims to report sexual crimes and be on their way to receive justice, but not all victims report the crimes committed against them.

Any trauma has the potential to spark psychological problems that can interfere with a person’s daily routine for the rest of their life. Research on child soldiers has concluded that the greatest contributor to psychological problems comes from experiencing rape, wounding someone, or killing a person (“Studies Explore Effects” 2010).

Sexual trauma during military service—known as military sexual trauma (MST)—includes experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault, and has been a persistent problem in the U.S. military. The most recent anonymous survey among active duty (AD) service members found that 4.9% of women and 1.0% of men reported being sexually assaulted in 2014 (Morral et al., 2015). Another recent military survey found that nearly 22% of female and 3% of male service members have experienced unwanted sexual contact since joining the military. Rates of military sexual assault (MSA) among veterans have ranged from 3%–54% of women and up to 3% of men, in both community samples and among those seeking care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many individual

Combat trauma, PTSD, and shell shock are not a new area of study when looking at the effects of combat operations on individuals. But, there are three obvious changes in recent history. The first is how medical and emotional support personnel help and treat combat trauma. The second is how the military addresses and identifies signs of combat trauma in military individuals. One of the constant drawbacks of PTSD and combat trauma is an individual’s hesitation toward asking for help, or identifying the signs of combat trauma. Ananda Amstadter is an active researcher who studies PTSD and its effects on individuals. She highlighted the resistance toward seeking help stating, “One of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD is avoidance. Often times, affected

Victims develop a number of disorders because of their encounters with rape or sexual assault. Almost half of the women utilize Veteran Affair centers for stress disorders related to rape or sexual assault they experienced while serving. (Turchik & Wilson). There are many disorders a rape or assault victim can develop. Some of the disorders are depression, symptoms of anxiety, substance abuse, sexual dysfunctions, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression and symptoms of anxiety are most common, and the rates are very high for both male and female victims. (Stander & Thomson). Depression can be very dangerous because leads to other disorders like substance abuse, and often times depression can lead to suicide. Another important psychological effect rape or sexual assault can have on male victims is that they start to feel conflicted about their sexual identity. If a man is sexually aroused while being raped or sexually assaulted, they start doubting their sexual identity and start believing that they might be homosexual. Another outcome for a male victim can be the development of homophobia. The victim's anger toward their male assailant can lead to the development of hatred for gay people.( Turchik & Wilson). Rape or assault victims also have a difference in performance as an active-duty service member. Victims tend to be less attentive and always afraid of being raped or assaulted again. Also, working with their assailant might cause tension for the victims resulting in a less efficient work environment.(Stander &