Military Sexual Trauma (MST): Reporting, Treatment & VA Benefits

Bottom Line Up Front: MST (Military Sexual Trauma) = sexual assault or harassment during military service. Affects 1 in 4 women, 1 in 100 men who serve. Reporting options: Restricted (confidential, get treatment, NO investigation) or Unrestricted (official investigation, potential prosecution). Free treatment: VA MST Coordinator at every VA, specialized therapy (CPT, PE), no VA claim required for MST treatment. VA disability: Can file claim for PTSD secondary to MST (30-100% rating = $524-$3,900/month). Reporting doesn't require "proof" - your testimony is evidence. You are not alone. Not your fault.

What Is MST?

Definition

Military Sexual Trauma (VA definition):

• Sexual assault OR
• Sexual harassment
• That occurred during military service

Includes:

• Rape, attempted rape
• Unwanted sexual touching
• Threatening, offensive remarks about body/sexual activities
• Sexual advances in exchange for favorable treatment (quid pro quo)

Does NOT require:

• Combat zone (can happen stateside, on base, during training)
• Deployment
• Filed official report (many survivors never report)
• Conviction of perpetrator (assault happened even if never prosecuted)

Prevalence

Statistics:

• 1 in 4 women in military experience MST
• 1 in 100 men experience MST (often underreported)
• 20,000+ assaults per year (DOD report)

Why reporting is low:

• Fear of retaliation (career consequences)
• Shame, self-blame
• Don't trust chain of command
• Military culture ("suck it up," "deal with it")

Reality: You did nothing wrong. Assault is never the victim's fault.

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Reporting Options (Critical to Understand)

Restricted Report (Confidential)

What it is:

• Tell: SARC (Sexual Assault Response Coordinator), Victim Advocate, Healthcare Provider, or Chaplain
• Get: Medical care, counseling, support
• NO: Official investigation, command notification (with exceptions)

Advantages:

• ✅ Confidential (chain of command NOT told)
• ✅ Get medical care + counseling
• ✅ Protection from retaliation
• ✅ Can convert to Unrestricted later (if you want investigation)

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No investigation (perpetrator not held accountable)
• ❌ Can't pursue military justice

Who it's for:

• Want treatment but not ready for investigation
• Fear retaliation
• Need time to decide

How to do it:

1. Call SARC (on every base, 24/7 hotline)
2. Say: "I want to make a Restricted Report"
3. Get medical care, forensic exam (if within 72 hours)
4. Access counseling

Unrestricted Report (Official Investigation)

What it is:

• Official report to command
• Criminal investigation (NCIS, CID, OSI)
• Potential court-martial of perpetrator

Advantages:

• ✅ Official investigation
• ✅ Perpetrator held accountable (if convicted)
• ✅ Still get medical care + counseling
• ✅ Protection orders available

Disadvantages:

• ❌ NOT confidential (command notified, investigation public-ish)
• ❌ You'll be interviewed multiple times (investigators, prosecutors)
• ❌ May have to testify (court-martial)
• ❌ Retaliation risk (despite protections, it happens)

Who it's for:

• Want perpetrator prosecuted
• Ready for investigation process
• Willing to testify

How to do it:

1. Tell: Commander, SARC, law enforcement, OSI/CID/NCIS
2. Investigation begins (within 24 hours)
3. Forensic exam (SAPR Victim Advocate assists)
4. Interviews, evidence collection
5. Possible court-martial

Can You Change from Restricted to Unrestricted?

YES:

• Restricted → Unrestricted (anytime)
• Tell SARC you want to convert

NO:

• Unrestricted → Restricted (can't "un-report")

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Immediate Steps After Assault

First 72 Hours (Critical for Evidence)

Do (if possible):

1. ✅ Get to safe location
2. ✅ Call SARC: DoD Safe Helpline 877-995-5247 (24/7, confidential)
3. ✅ Preserve evidence:
   • Don't shower, change clothes (difficult but preserves DNA)
   • Don't brush teeth, wash hands
   • Save clothes in paper bag (not plastic)
4. ✅ Get forensic exam (Sexual Assault Forensic Exam - SAFE)
   • Documents injuries
   • Collects DNA evidence
   • Can do with Restricted OR Unrestricted report
5. ✅ Seek medical care (injuries, STI testing, emergency contraception)

Don't:

• ❌ Blame yourself (not your fault)
• ❌ Isolate (talk to SARC, Victim Advocate, friend)

After 72 Hours (Still Get Help)

Even if weeks, months, years later:

• ✅ Still report (Restricted or Unrestricted)
• ✅ Still get treatment
• ✅ Still file VA claim (no time limit)

Evidence still exists:

• Your testimony
• Medical records (if you sought care)
• Witnesses (if any)

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Treatment Options (All Free)

VA MST Services (No VA Claim Required)

Every VA has MST Coordinator:

• Specialized in MST treatment
• Connects you to resources
• NO need to have VA claim (treatment is free regardless)

Find MST Coordinator:

• Call VA: 877-222-8387
• Ask: "I need MST treatment, who is the MST Coordinator?"

Services provided:

• Individual therapy (CPT, PE - see below)
• Group therapy (with other MST survivors)
• Medication (for PTSD, depression, anxiety)
• Couples/family therapy
• Case management

Cost: $0 (even if you don't have VA disability rating)

Evidence-Based Therapies

1. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

What it is:

• 12-week program
• Identify and challenge trauma-related thoughts
• "It was my fault" → "I am not to blame"

Effectiveness: 60-70% reduction in PTSD symptoms

2. Prolonged Exposure (PE)

What it is:

• Gradually confront trauma memories (in safe environment)
• Reduce avoidance, fear
• 8-15 sessions

Effectiveness: 50-60% PTSD symptom reduction

3. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it is:

• Process trauma memories using bilateral stimulation (eye movements)
• Reduces emotional intensity of memories

Effectiveness: 50-70% improvement

Medication

For PTSD:

• Sertraline (Zoloft) - first choice
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Prazosin (for nightmares)

For depression/anxiety:

• SSRIs (Lexapro, Prozac)

NOT recommended:

• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan) - addictive, don't treat PTSD long-term

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VA Disability for MST

Can You Get VA Disability for MST?

YES:

• File claim for PTSD secondary to MST
• Rating: 0-100% (based on symptom severity)
• Compensation: $0-$3,900/month

Do NOT need:

• ❌ Police report (your word is evidence)
• ❌ Conviction of perpetrator
• ❌ Official military report (Restricted reports count)
• ❌ "Proof" beyond your testimony

What IS evidence:

• Your statement (describing assault)
• Medical records (sought care after?)
• Mental health records (PTSD diagnosis)
• Behavioral changes (performance decline, relationship issues after assault)
• Buddy statements (friends who noticed changes)

How to File VA Claim for MST

Step 1: Get treatment (establishes diagnosis)

• VA MST Coordinator
• Therapist diagnoses PTSD

Step 2: File Intent to File

• Locks in effective date (so you get backpay from this date)
• VA.gov or call 800-827-1000

Step 3: Gather evidence

• Your statement (describe: what happened, when, where, who)
• Medical records (treatment for PTSD)
• Lay statements (buddy statements from people who noticed changes)

Step 4: File claim

• VA.gov (online)
• OR VA Regional Office (in person)
• OR VSO (Veterans Service Officer) helps you file

Step 5: C&P Exam (Compensation & Pension)

• VA schedules exam with psychologist
• They assess PTSD severity
• Be honest (don't minimize symptoms)

Step 6: Decision

• VA decides: Service-connected? Rating?
• 3-6 months typical (sometimes longer)

Step 7: Appeal if denied

• Don't give up (many MST claims initially denied, win on appeal)
• Get VSO help

VA Ratings for PTSD from MST

Rating levels:

• 0%: Diagnosis but minimal symptoms ($0/month)
• 10%: Mild symptoms, minimal impact ($171/month)
• 30%: Moderate symptoms, some work/relationship impact ($524/month)
• 50%: Serious symptoms, significant impairment ($1,075/month)
• 70%: Severe symptoms, major life impairment ($1,716/month)
• 100%: Total occupational/social impairment ($3,900/month)

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Retaliation Protection

What Is Retaliation?

Examples:

• Negative performance review (after reporting)
• Denied promotion (retaliation for report)
• Hostile work environment (supervisor makes life miserable)
• Transferred to undesirable assignment (punishment for reporting)

Illegal: Federal law prohibits retaliation for reporting sexual assault

If You Experience Retaliation

Report to:

1. Inspector General (IG) - every base has IG office
2. Equal Opportunity (EO) office
3. Victim Advocate

Document everything:

• Dates, times, what was said/done
• Witnesses
• Save emails, texts

Legal options:

• Military Protective Order (MPO) - keep perpetrator away
• Expedited transfer (move to different unit/base)
• File IG complaint

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Common MST Myths (Debunked)

❌ Myth #1: "You need proof to report"

Reality: Your testimony IS evidence. Don't need police report, witnesses, conviction.

❌ Myth #2: "If you report, your career is over"

Reality: Retaliation is illegal (doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but you have protections).

❌ Myth #3: "You should have fought back"

Reality: Freeze response is normal trauma reaction. Not fighting ≠ consent.

❌ Myth #4: "It's your fault for drinking/being alone/wearing that"

Reality: Assault is 100% the perpetrator's fault. Nothing you did caused it.

❌ Myth #5: "Men can't be victims of MST"

Reality: 1 in 100 men experience MST. It happens, it's valid, treatment is available.

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Action Steps

Immediately After Assault:

1. ✅ Get to safety
2. ✅ Call SARC: 877-995-5247 (decide Restricted vs. Unrestricted)
3. ✅ Preserve evidence (don't shower, save clothes)
4. ✅ Get forensic exam (within 72 hours if possible)
5. ✅ Seek medical care

Weeks/Months/Years After:

1. ✅ Call VA MST Coordinator: 877-222-8387
2. ✅ Start therapy (CPT, PE, EMDR)
3. ✅ Consider filing VA claim (PTSD secondary to MST)

If Experiencing Retaliation:

1. ✅ Document everything
2. ✅ Report to IG, EO
3. ✅ Request expedited transfer if needed

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Resources

24/7 Hotlines:

• DoD Safe Helpline: 877-995-5247 (confidential, crisis support)
• VA MST Support: 877-222-8387
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 (RAINN)

Online:

• SafeHelpline.org (chat, resources)
• VA.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/military-sexual-trauma

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Related Guides

• PTSD Symptoms, Treatment & VA Disability
• VA Disability Claims Step-by-Step
• Mental Health Treatment in Military

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Remember: MST is NOT your fault. Reporting is your choice (Restricted = confidential, Unrestricted = investigation). Treatment is free (VA MST Coordinator, no claim needed). You can file VA claim for PTSD from MST (don't need "proof," your word is evidence). Retaliation is illegal (protections exist). You are not alone - 1 in 4 women, 1 in 100 men experience MST. Healing is possible. Get help. You deserve support.