EFFECTS OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST) IN VETERAN TREATMENT COURT (VTC) SAMANTHA WILLIAMS, LMSW
Identifying a Veteran Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Anyone who has served in the United States Armed Services.
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST) Federal Law Title 38 U.S. Code 1720D Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term that the Department of Veterans Affairs uses to refer to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred while the Veteran was in the military. Not a diagnosis
Military VS. State Definition of Sexual Assault Military definition Federal Law Title 38 U.S. Code 1720D State of Texas Sexual assault, commonly known as rape, occurs when a defendant; intentionally and knowingly; commits any of a number of prohibited sexual activities listed under Texas' sexual assault law without the victim's consent.
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST) Any sexual activity against ones will Pressured into sexual activity Unable to give consent to sexual activity Forced into sexual activity Repeated harassment acts Unwanted touching or grabbing Threatening or offensive remarks Person s body Sexual activities Unwelcomed sexual advances
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST) Both men and women can experience MST during their military career. Many go unreported or reported once they are discharged from the military. VA reports 1 in 4 women 1 in 100 men
FACTORS OF MST Factors that affect MST Prior history of trauma Type of responses received from others at time of MST Number of times
WHAT DIFFICULTIES CAN VETERANS HAVE AFTER MST? No change Strong emotions Feelings of numbness Trouble sleeping Difficulties with attention, concentration, and memory Problems with alcohol or other drugs Difficulty with things that remind them of their experiences of sexual trauma Difficulties in relationships Physical health problems
MST Stories Healing after MST to move forward with life Video Overcoming PTSD and MST one day at a time Video
MST Mental Health Disorders PTSD Depression Substance use Anxiety Other mood disorders
How Can a Active Duty Service Member Report MST? Active Duty Contact Military Law Enforcement immediately Restricted Report Restricted Reports provides access to medical care, advocacy, will not involve chain of command and law enforcement Unrestricted Report Unrestricted Reports provides access to medical care, advocacy, and will involve chain of command and law enforcement Contact SHARP (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program) Even if the sexual assault happened years ago. Call the 24/7 Hotline 254-319-4671
How Can a Veteran Report MST? Prior Military Local VA Medical Center MST Coordinator Local Vet Center
Treatment Providers VA Vet Center Community Support Groups Private Counselors Local Mental Health Clinics
MST Treatment Options MST Group Individual Therapy Cognitive Coping Skills Relapse Prevention Therapy Prolonged Exposure Therapy Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Prescription Therapy
Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Offenses MST victims charges DWI/DUI Possession of control substance Domestic violence Assault
Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) What is a VTC Why VTC One court that gives veterans a second chance Video Bell County VTC Killeen Daily Herald Article http://kdhnews.com/living/alternative-option-for-veterans-in-bell-county-treatmentcourt/article_21376f32-f0aa-11e6-8098-2b54b102423a.html Attention Central Texas Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncgusnay8jk&list=pl5bpndqwdwa1ddtxhgcgy 2pBoLMDtP9E1&sns=em
Questions?
References http://www.hood.army.mil/ http://www.va.gov/ http://veteransfamiliesunited.org/ http://www.nami.org/
Samantha Williams, LMSW samantha.haynes@bellcounty.texas.gov 254-618-4125