![]() The VA defines sexual harassment as repeated and unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual and threatening nature. Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is a psychological trauma resulting from sexual harassment, assault, or battery. ![]() Treatment can help you cope with trauma and regain confidence and self-esteem.A survey conducted by the Department of Defense (DOD) indicated that an estimated 20,500 service members were sexually assaulted in 2018. Your doctor also may prescribe medicines that help with symptoms. Visit the SMRC website at or call 1-84.Ĭounselling often is used to treat MST. Serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have experienced or witnessed harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour can contact the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) for support, information, and referrals. Veterans can get help from the closest VAC district office. You may feel forced to choose between your military career and continued contact with the person who assaulted you.īut Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) can help. You may feel torn between loyalty to your unit and to yourself, and you may feel you need to keep quiet for the good of the group. The bonding within your unit can make it hard to report your assault. May have some control over your promotions and career.May have some control over your needs, such as medical care.This is because the person responsible or their colleagues: Your military experience may make these feelings worse. People may tell you or indicate that the assault was your fault or that you just need to get over it. ![]() They often feel that no one can help, that they have no power, and that it may happen again. How can you get support and treatment?Īfter a sexual assault, many veterans keep quiet. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a sexual assault is common. They also may feel depressed or have panic attacks. Some people try to deal with their feelings by pulling away from other people, working all the time, or using alcohol or other drugs. Have trouble sleeping or have nightmares.Avoid your friends, family, and other people.Avoid places or things that remind you of what happened.You may feel sad or scared months or years after the assault. You may have a response right away, or it may be delayed for months or years. You may feel fear, shame, anger, embarrassment, or guilt. There is no set reaction to military sexual trauma (MST). footnote 2 How can military sexual trauma affect you? Since joining the Canadian Armed Forces, about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 25 men have experienced sexual assault at least once. ![]() It can be man-to-woman, woman-to-man, woman-to-woman, or man-to-man. MST can happen during war, peace, or training. Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual act, including touching or grabbing. Rape is not the only type of sexual assault. Sexual threats or bullying are sexual assault. Sexual assault can be any sort of activity that you don't want. Sexual comments or gestures about your body or lifestyle.Flirting when you've made clear it's not welcome.The location, the genders of the people involved, and their relationship do not matter. ![]() These traumas occur when a person is in the military. Experts define military sexual trauma (MST) as experiences of sexual assault or sexual harassment. ![]()
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