Understanding Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and Your Path Forward

‍What is Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?

MST includes any sexual activity during military service where a Service Member was involved against their will. Examples include:

• Being pressured or coerced to have sex
• Being physically forced to have sex
• Unwanted sexual touching or grabbing, including during "hazing" experiences
• Sexual contact without your consent, such as when you were asleep or intoxicated
• Comments about your body or sexual activities that you found threatening
• Sexual advances that you found threatening

The identity of the perpetrator, whether a Service Member was on or off duty at the time, and whether they were on or off base at the time do not matter.

‍

Are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and MST the same thing?

‍No. MST refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment that happens during military service. MST is considered a traumatic stressor, so it might lead to PTSD, but, like with any traumatic stressor, it doesn’t have to lead to PTSD.

‍

How the VA Handles MST-Related Claims: A Different Standard of Evidence 

The VA recognizes that MST often goes unreported. Because of this, the rules for proving your claim are different. You do not need to have reported the incident at the time it happened, and there does not need to be a record of it in your service file to have a successful claim.

Similar to other PTSD claims, the VA accepts Direct Evidence. This includes statements or records, such as those from: 

• Chaplains or clergy members 
• Counseling, health, or military training facilities 
• Family members, roommates, or fellow service members
• Rape crisis centers or centers for domestic violence assistance 
• Civilian police reports 
• Medical reports from civilian providers or caregivers who treated you at any time after the MST • Personal diaries or journals 

Direct Evidence isn’t always available, though. MST often goes unreported due to understandable feelings of humiliation, shock, emotional pain, worry about being blamed, fear of not being believed, concern about retaliation, and limits of confidentiality. For that reason, the VA has adapted the way they process claims related to MST. If you don’t have direct evidence, you can submit Indirect Evidence of changes in your life or your behavior after the MST. The evidence doesn’t need to show a clear cause. You may hear the Indirect Evidence referred to as “markers.” 

Markers include evidence of: 

• Pregnancy test results 
• Requests for transfer to another military duty assignment 
• Tests for sexually transmitted infections 
• Appointments at a health or counseling facility without a specific diagnosis or health condition 
• Treatment for physical injuries around the time of the MST 
• Changes in work performance 
• Changes in eating or weight 
• Relationship issues, like divorce 
• Problems with sexual function 
• Substance use problems 
• Unexplained social or financial decisions or problems 
• Mental health symptoms 

An expert evaluation (IME) can be critical in helping the VA connect these markers to your in-service experience.

‍

Your Experience is Valid, and Help is Available

Whether your experience resulted in PTSD or another condition, the trauma is real. Your wellbeing is the priority.

• For Immediate Support: The VA provides free, confidential counseling and treatment for mental and physical health conditions related to MST. You do not need to have a disability rating to access this care. Contact your local VA to learn more.
• For Your Disability Claim: If you are ready to file a claim or are appealing a denial, my practice is here to help provide the objective, trauma-informed evidence needed to document your condition.

‍