[View the story "Military Sexual Trauma" on Storify ]Military Sexual Trauma Storified by The Stream · Wed, Mar 13 2013 11:18:08
Sexual assault in the US military is an increasingly visible epidemic. There were
3,191 reports of sexual assaults in 2011, however, most incidents go unreported. By the Defense Department's own estimate, the number could be as as high as 22,000.
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta described the problem as "unacceptable."
Panetta: Sexual Assault Has No Place in Defense Departmentdodvclips
The "
I Am One " campaign documents the personal stories of survivors of sexual assault in the military:
I Am One campaignAJstream
Of all sexual assaults that occur in the military, the majority were
actually committed against men . Women, who make up a smaller percentage of service members, experience sexual violence at a
higher rate .
Men can be raped and are invisible in current system of addressing sexual assault. - Lewis #MSThearingCharles Clymer
@cmclymer Our brothers are the forgotten face of MST. All of your sisters stand with youChristine Mullen
The effects for many victims of sexual assault are long-lasting. Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is a term used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to refer to rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment that occur during military service. MST is the
leading cause of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among female service members.
Other issues related to MST include anxiety disorders, substance abuse and homelessness. The presentation below by the UCLA School of Medicine shows that more than half of female veterans who are homeless have experienced MST.
Advocates are currently pushing for increased availability of benefits for MST survivors. The Service Women's Action Network
testified in 2012 that only 32 per cent of MST benefit claims were approved by the Veterans Administration, compared with 53 per cent of all other PTSD claims. The Department of Defense disputes these numbers as outdated, and
points to their progress addressing the disparity:
DoD MST ChartAJstream
A group of US lawmakers has also introduced the Ruth Moore Act, named for a MST survivor who
fought for 23 years with the Veterans Administration for disability compensation. The bill aims to reduce the standard of proof for military sexual assault so that victims can moreeasily obtain benefits. Here, Moore introduces the bill along with Montana Senator John Tester and Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree:
Senator Tester and Congresswoman Pingree Introduce the Ruth Moore Act of 2013senatorjontester
The military has faced numerous
accusations of using its military justice system to protect perpetrators of sexual violence. In the following video by
Protect Our Defenders , veterans describe how their sexual assault cases were mishandled:
What happens to military rapists?protectourdefenders
On Pinterest, users are sharing images illustrating the pressure from the military to keep quiet about sexual assault.
Military Sexual Trauma "MST"Pinterest
Our LifePinterest
In a recent case, a US Air Force General Craig Franklin
dismissed charges against Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkerson, who was convicted of sexual assault. Following the dismissal of charges, many netizens expressed outrage about the decision:
This is not justice, this is a mockery of justice @RepSpeier of General Franklin's dismissal of Lt Col James Wilkerson's sex assault case!Jennifer Norris
This is choice: General Franklin set aside jury conviction of sexual assault by Colonel Wilkerson. The bros stand together. Beware, ladies.Bette Midler
Public outcry as well as
action by a several lawmakers has prompted broader responses from government to the problem of MST. In the letter below, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel pledges to explore changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in the wake of the Wilkerson controversy:
Perversely, Lt Gen Franklin's decision to set aside Wilkerson's guilty verdict might be a good thing--galvanizing support for UCMJ reform.Jonathan Rue
On March 13, the Senate Armed Services Committee
held a hearing on sexual assault in the military. Netizens noted that government action on the matter is overdue:
Sen. Armed Services Cmte holds sexual assault hearing tomorrow on sexual assault in military for first time in 10 years. 'bout time.Dee Dee Myers
<div>Tomorrow there will be the first hearing on sexual assault in the military in TEN years. The intimidation used against women who are raped while serving the country is beyond belief. Time to blow the lid off this culture of abuse.</div>
Many live-tweeted the hearing using the hashtag
#MSTHearing :
@SenGillibrand opens Senate #MSThearing. @SenatorBoxer waits to testify. http://pic.twitter.com/IRaJdSceNPAnu Bhagwati
K Gillibrand: today we will discuss if we should remove chain if command from prosecution/reporting process of mst #MSThearingHolly Kearl
Sen Boxer says this IS NOT about fraternization, wrongful accusations or internal matters.This about heinous violent crimes #MSThearingCynthia Dill
@AnuBhagwati tells senators to look at UK & Canadian systems where reporting of sex assaults has bn taken away chain of command #MSTHearingkaren mcveigh
Just watched parts of the #msthearing good to see @anubhagwati testifying http://pic.twitter.com/4oks0fHpKChari sreenivasan
The Stream asked its community what contributes to the under-reporting of sexual assault in the US military. Below are some of the responses The Stream received:
@AJStream I think exposing it would hinder govt's efforts in trying to attract more people (women esp) to join the military. #MSThearingShuja Rabbani
Glad you asked. Warrior culture is based on strong egos. when threatened, the ego defence is fierce. Morality the egos appendix .@AJStreamSteven Streets
@AJStream There is a culture of victim-blaming and little recourse for justice for those brave enough to report, among other barriers.Sabrina Hersi Issa
@AJStream Immense amount of stigma, victim-blaming, retaliation against the victim both via the offender and the institution.Darakshan
