Military sexual trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service. Military sexual trauma can happen to anyone.
Examples of assault or harassment can include:
- Being pressured or coerced into sexual activities, such as with threats of negative treatment if you refuse to cooperate or with promises of better treatment if you do cooperate
- Sexual contact or activities without your consent, including when you were asleep or intoxicated
- Being overpowered or physically forced to have sex
- Being touched or grabbed in a sexual way that made you uncomfortable, including during hazing experiences
- Comments about sexual activities or about your body that you found threatening
- Unwanted sexual advances that you found threatening
MST can negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health, even many years later. Some issues associated with MST include:
- Disturbing memories or nightmares
- Difficulty feeling safe
- Feelings of depression or numbness
- Alcohol or other drug use to numb or escape from negative feelings
- Feelings of isolation from other people
- Difficulty with anger, irritability, or other strong emotions
- Self-doubt, self-blame, or decreased self-esteem
- Issues with sleep
- Physical health problems
Treatment
Military sexual trauma (MST) is a very difficult life experience. Recovery from the impact of MST is possible, and VA offers a range of services to meet MST survivors where they are in their healing. Treatment for any physical or mental health condition related to MST is provided free of charge, regardless of when the MST occurred. Individuals are not required to have reported their MST experiences when they happened or have documentation that they occurred to receive care.
Eligibility for MST-related Care
Eligibility for MST-related services is expansive:
- Standard length of service requirements don’t apply to eligibility for MST-related care
- Some individuals may be able to receive MST-related care even if they are not eligible for other VA care.
- Service connection (that is, a VA disability rating) is not needed.
How to Access MST-related Care
- Every VA health care facility has an MST Coordinator who serves as a contact person for MST-related issues and can help you access care. For questions about treatment and health care options related to MST, contact the VHA MST Coordinator nearest you.
- You don’t need to disclose your MST experience when registering for VA health care as a Veteran or other former service member, even if you’re not eligible for VA health care generally. Advise registration staff that you are interested in receiving care under a special treatment authority, and ask to meet with a provider for a clinical evaluation related to that care.
- In some cases, VA may cover the costs of health care services with a non-VA community provider. This may be an option if a VA provider determines that receiving care from the community provider is in an individual’s best medical interest or if services are unavailable at a VA facility in the individual’s area.
To learn more about treatment options and services, visit the VA’s Military Sexual Trauma Resource page.
