Military Sexual Assault & Military Sexual Trauma
What happens when a rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment occurs in the Army? Hear some answers from an expert! Tiffany Griffin was 2017 SHARP Coordinator of the year for the entire US Army. SHARP stands for Sexual Harassment & Assault Response & Prevention. It is the Army’s main program for reaching out to victims and helping them through a very complex system. Part 1 or 3.
Tiffany Griffin, Army SHARP Coordinator of the year for 2017, discusses what the impacts of reporting sexual assault may have on your career. Because of the trauma or physical injuries that may have occurred, the victim needs to protect themselves. Tiffany describes the major problems that stops victims from getting medical and psychiatric benefits. Veterans National Recovery Center, Part 2 or 3.
Tiffany Griffin, SHARP Coordinator of the Year for 2017 for the US Army talks big picture on where the Army is going with prevention of sexual harassment and assault, as well as giving justice to victims. Veterans National Recovery Center Part 3 of 3.
MALE MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA
Males MST is one of the least talked about service-connected disabilities. The social stigma is tremendous, but the damage is deep. Because of the dominance of males in the military, there are actually more Military Sexual Assault victims who are male than female. But stigma prevents all but the bravest survivors from speaking out on the topic. This page is an opening. the MST survivor interviewed here wants people to know that the same bullies that perpetrate female rape as a crime of power – not lust – are at work in the male community.
Males MST is one of the least talked about service-connected disabilities. The social stigma is tremendous, but the damage is deep. Because of the dominance of males in the military, there are actually more Military Sexual Assault victims who are male than female. But stigma prevents all but the bravest survivors from speaking out on the topic. This page is an opening. the MST survivor interviewed here wants people to know that the same bullies that perpetrate female rape as a crime of power – not lust – are at work in the male community.
INTERVIEW WITH MIKE EVANS – MST SURVIVOR
Mike Evans was forcibly sexually assaulted while serving in the Army. He had just been selected as an “out of the ranks” Private First Class for attendance at West Point Military Academy. Then his life fell apart. We talk about the incidence of Military Sexual Assault, plus the incredibly high number of victims of MSA that successfully commit suicide – 60%. Finally we talk about survivors with Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and the anguish they face.
Mike Evans was forcibly sexually assaulted while serving in the Army. He had just been selected as an “out of the ranks” Private First Class for attendance at West Point Military Academy. Then his life fell apart. We talk about the incidence of Military Sexual Assault, plus the incredibly high number of victims of MSA that successfully commit suicide – 60%. Finally we talk about survivors with Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and the anguish they face.
FACT SHEET ON MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT/MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA
How often does military sexual assault occur? “The annual incidence of experiencing sexual assault is 3% among active duty women and 1% among active duty men. Sexual coercion (e.g., quid pro quo promises of job benefits or threats of job loss) and unwanted sexual attention (e.g., touching, fondling, or threatening attempts to initiate a sexual relationship)occur at an annual rate of 8% and 27%, respectively, among women and 1% and 5% among men. Research on deployment stress finds that such experiences constitute important duty-related hazards.”
Source: American Journal of Public Health|December 2007, Vol 97, No. 12 “The Veterans Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma,” by Rachel Kimerling, PhD, Kristian Gima, BA, Mark W. Smith, PhD, Amy Street, PhD, and Susan Frayne, MD, MPH
What is the impact of military sexual assault on health? A system-wide study of VA patients concluded that sexual assault was positively correlated to all categories of mental health co-morbidities, including posttraumatic stress disorder for both men and women at a 99% confidence interval. Associations with other medical comorbidities (e.g., chronic pulmonarydisease, liver disease, and for women, weight conditions) were also observed. Significant gender differences emerged.
Source: American Journal of Public Health|December 2007, Vol 97, No. 12 “The Veterans Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma,” by Rachel Kimerling, PhD, Kristian Gima, BA, Mark W. Smith, PhD, Amy Street, PhD, and Susan Frayne, MD, MPH
How often does military sexual assault occur? “The annual incidence of experiencing sexual assault is 3% among active duty women and 1% among active duty men. Sexual coercion (e.g., quid pro quo promises of job benefits or threats of job loss) and unwanted sexual attention (e.g., touching, fondling, or threatening attempts to initiate a sexual relationship)occur at an annual rate of 8% and 27%, respectively, among women and 1% and 5% among men. Research on deployment stress finds that such experiences constitute important duty-related hazards.”
Source: American Journal of Public Health|December 2007, Vol 97, No. 12 “The Veterans Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma,” by Rachel Kimerling, PhD, Kristian Gima, BA, Mark W. Smith, PhD, Amy Street, PhD, and Susan Frayne, MD, MPH
What is the impact of military sexual assault on health? A system-wide study of VA patients concluded that sexual assault was positively correlated to all categories of mental health co-morbidities, including posttraumatic stress disorder for both men and women at a 99% confidence interval. Associations with other medical comorbidities (e.g., chronic pulmonarydisease, liver disease, and for women, weight conditions) were also observed. Significant gender differences emerged.
Source: American Journal of Public Health|December 2007, Vol 97, No. 12 “The Veterans Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma,” by Rachel Kimerling, PhD, Kristian Gima, BA, Mark W. Smith, PhD, Amy Street, PhD, and Susan Frayne, MD, MPH