What is Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?

MST is the term used by the VA to refer to experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that a Veteran experienced during military service. MST encompasses any sexual harassment or sexual activity a service member endures without providing consent. 

Some examples include rape, threats of negative consequences for refusing to be sexually cooperative or implied better treatment in exchange for sex, the inability to provide consent because of intoxication or unconsciousness, threatening or offensive remarks about a person's body or sexual activities and threatening unwelcome sexual advances.  

Although about one out of every four female Veterans reports MST while on active duty, the numbers are thought to be much higher given that nine out of 10 have PTSD.  Victims cite several reasons, including fear of reprisal and command climate, for not speaking up.   

It is incredibly difficult to encourage victims of sexual violence to report assault when authorities take no action.  

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