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What Is MST?
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- Military sexual trauma (MST) is a term used by VA to refer to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual
harassment that occurred during a Veteran's military service.
- MST can occur on or off base and while a Veteran is on or off duty. Perpetrators can be men or women,
military personnel or civilians, commanding officers or subordinates, strangers, friends, or intimate partners.
- Among Veterans seen in VA for healthcare, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 100 men report that they experienced MST.
- MST can affect both mental and physical health.
- Sexual assault is more likely to result in symptoms of PTSD than other types of trauma, including combat.
- Symptoms of depression and substance abuse are also common.
- Sexual trauma can also have severe consequences for physical health and is associated with higher rates
of headaches, gastrointestinal difficulties, sexual dysfunction, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue.
- Recovery is possible and VA has free services available to help. Veterans do not need to have a VA disability
rating or documentation of their experiences and may be able to receive this care even if they are not eligible for other VA care.
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