Newswise — Among a panel of experts testifying before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) President and CEO Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, urged Congress to consider the risks and ramifications of military sexual trauma (MST).
The hearing, Healing the Wounds: Evaluating Military Sexual Trauma Issues, covered the often overlooked issue of sexual assault in the military. MST refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred while a veteran was in the military. Today over 10% of the military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan is female, resulting in an increase in numbers of female veterans seeking care after their time of service. Many of these female veterans are victims of MST and need the proper care to deal with these horrific experiences.
“A 2008 VA study reported that 15% of military women in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced sexual assault or harassment, and 59% of those were at higher risk for health problems,” said Greenberger. “These numbers are just among those cases reported. Many more, possibly more than half, of all MST cases go unreported each year.”
Greenberger emphasized the lasting effects MST has on female combat veterans. Female assault victims are at risk for unplanned pregnancy, more likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection, and are at a higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). SWHR encourages the VA to optimize interactions with female veterans by offering women the option to participate in research projects – receiving a higher quality of care while gathering information to help fellow veterans.
Other panelists discussed the various ways the VA can improve its sexual assault services by providing comprehensive care to all returning servicemen and women. The absence of civilian care facilities specifically for veterans is alarming and must be addressed as more active military personnel become veterans in the coming years.
In her closing, Greenberger said, “A victim of MST during her time of service needs streamlined care after she returns, as well as a VA system that is equipped to meet her sex and gender specific needs.” SWHR has one clear goal in mind – the VA should offer an improved continuum of care, as women transition from active duty to veteran status.
For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or [email protected].
The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at swhr.org for more information.
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