The media is filled with reports of a Sexual Assault Epidemic in the military. The media says it is so, so it must be so.
- The Department is also the largest employer in the world
- There is actually very little information on this problem on line. One obvious way is to study this is to compare sexual assault in the military to sexual assaults in our society. I cannot find that anyone has done that obvious step.
How much crime is there on military bases - much less than the nation, according to the article and study. Of course there is no way that news can percolate to the national awareness. The die is cast and people are baying at the moon to to resolve this epidemic.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2009/11/is_there_a_lot_of_crime_on_military_bases.html
Like most things in this country, we fight it out with political screaming. Facts need not apply.
Sexual assaults are horrible and it would be great if we could wipe them out of our society, both in the military and throughout our society. That is unlikely. There are criminals, drunks, evil people, both in and out of the military.
But the correct way to look at this problem with science. A simple comparison of crime rates for the country compared to the military would be a good start.
But no one has bothered to do that.
This report from Kay Whitley from DOD is interesting.
http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=53525
One thing that is interesting is that the Veterans Administration provides help and lifetime pensions for those traumatized by PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrom), including compensation for MST (Military Sexual Trauma). No doubt many of those who are receiving lifetime pensions were victimized. And then there are no doubt folks collecting money for a rich imagination. You get what you pay for.
DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR PERSONAL ASSAULT OR
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST)
Some Veterans may have experienced personal assault or sexual trauma while serving in the military. These kinds of experiences can sometimes affect Veterans’ mental and physical health, even many years later.
Veterans can apply for disability compensation for any current difficulties that are related to their service, including difficulties related to personal assault or military sexual trauma (MST). You do not need a VA service-connected disability rating to be eligible for free MST-related treatment through VA. No
documentation is required to receive MST-related treatment.
How Does VA Define Personal Assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST)? VA defines personal assault as physical or psychological violence, domestic battering, or stalking. One type of personal assault is MST, which is defined by Title 38 U.S. Code 1720D as “psychological trauma…resulting
from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while the Veteran was serving on active duty or active duty for training.” Sexual harassment is defined as "repeated, unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character.”
Can You Develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Other Mental Health Disorders as a Result of Personal Assault or Military Sexual Trauma?
Yes. Exposure to any trauma can potentially result in PTSD or another mental health disorder. PTSD is the most common mental health diagnosis related to experiencing a personal assault or MST.
http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/MST.pdf
But no one has bothered to do that.
This report from Kay Whitley from DOD is interesting.
http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=53525
One thing that is interesting is that the Veterans Administration provides help and lifetime pensions for those traumatized by PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrom), including compensation for MST (Military Sexual Trauma). No doubt many of those who are receiving lifetime pensions were victimized. And then there are no doubt folks collecting money for a rich imagination. You get what you pay for.
DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR PERSONAL ASSAULT OR
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST)
Some Veterans may have experienced personal assault or sexual trauma while serving in the military. These kinds of experiences can sometimes affect Veterans’ mental and physical health, even many years later.
Veterans can apply for disability compensation for any current difficulties that are related to their service, including difficulties related to personal assault or military sexual trauma (MST). You do not need a VA service-connected disability rating to be eligible for free MST-related treatment through VA. No
documentation is required to receive MST-related treatment.
How Does VA Define Personal Assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST)? VA defines personal assault as physical or psychological violence, domestic battering, or stalking. One type of personal assault is MST, which is defined by Title 38 U.S. Code 1720D as “psychological trauma…resulting
from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while the Veteran was serving on active duty or active duty for training.” Sexual harassment is defined as "repeated, unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character.”
Can You Develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Other Mental Health Disorders as a Result of Personal Assault or Military Sexual Trauma?
Yes. Exposure to any trauma can potentially result in PTSD or another mental health disorder. PTSD is the most common mental health diagnosis related to experiencing a personal assault or MST.
http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/MST.pdf
Prevalence of in-service and post-service sexual assault among combat and noncombat veteransapplying for Department of Veterans Affairs posttraumatic stress …
M Murdoch, MA Polusny, J Hodges… - Military …, 2004 - ingentaconnect.com
... We hope that greater awareness of these empirical base rates of sexual assault, at least among
veterans seeking compensation for PTSD, will help counter common victim stereotypes and
will promote sexual assault screening in VA mental health clinics. ...
veterans seeking compensation for PTSD, will help counter common victim stereotypes and
will promote sexual assault screening in VA mental health clinics. ...
Sexual assault in women veterans: an examination of PTSD risk, health care utilization, and cost of care
A Surís, L Lind, TM Kashner… - Psychosomatic …, 2004 - Am Psychosomatic Soc
... with other measures of PTSD (Mississippi Scale for Combat-related PTSD, r = 0.91 ... data and
manuals on administering the CAPS available from the National Center for Post-traumatic Stress
Disorder. ... 173 because of the endorsement of multiple types of sexual assault by many ...
manuals on administering the CAPS available from the National Center for Post-traumatic Stress
Disorder. ... 173 because of the endorsement of multiple types of sexual assault by many ...
Cognitive processing therapy for veterans with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder.
CM Monson, PP Schnurr, PA Resick… - Journal of Consulting …, 2006 - psycnet.apa.org
... Veterans Affairs disability compensation: A case study in countertherapeutic jurisprudence. Bulletin
of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 24, 27-44. ... Resick , PA Schnicke , MK (1992).
Cognitive processing therapy for sexual assault victims. ... Can we cure PTSD? ...
of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 24, 27-44. ... Resick , PA Schnicke , MK (1992).
Cognitive processing therapy for sexual assault victims. ... Can we cure PTSD? ...
Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Health Functioning in Women Veterans Differential Outcomes Associated with Military and Civilian Sexual Assault
A Surìs, L Lind, TM Kashner… - Journal of interpersonal …, 2007 - jiv.sagepub.com
... been found to be associated with significantly increased risk of diagnosis of posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD); women who have experienced MSA are nine times more likely to develop PTSD
compared to women veterans with no sexual-assault histories (Surís et al., 2004). ...
disorder (PTSD); women who have experienced MSA are nine times more likely to develop PTSD
compared to women veterans with no sexual-assault histories (Surís et al., 2004). ...
Military Sexual Trauma A Review of Prevalence and Associated Health Consequences in Veterans
A Suris, L Lind - Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 2008 - tva.sagepub.com
... in comparison to the general population, with associated higher rates of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD; Zinzow, Grubaugh ... claim for PTSD or their intention to seek VA disability for PTSD
at the time ... Rape and sexual assault: “Have you ever experienced an attempted rape? ...
disorder (PTSD; Zinzow, Grubaugh ... claim for PTSD or their intention to seek VA disability for PTSD
at the time ... Rape and sexual assault: “Have you ever experienced an attempted rape? ...
MMPI-2 assessment of differential post-traumatic stress disorder patterns in combat veterans andsexual assault victims
JL Kirz, KD Drescher, JL Klein, FD Gusman… - Journal of …, 2001 - jiv.sagepub.com
... In addition, the results suggest that the MMPI-2 PTSD scales provide a reasonable classification
of PTSD status. MMPI-2 Assessment of Differential Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Patterns in
Combat Veterans and Sexual Assault Victims JOSHUA L.KIRZ Stanford University ...
of PTSD status. MMPI-2 Assessment of Differential Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Patterns in
Combat Veterans and Sexual Assault Victims JOSHUA L.KIRZ Stanford University ...
The association between in-service sexual harassment and post-traumatic stress disorder among Department of Veterans Affairs disability applicants
M Murdoch, MA Polusny, J Hodges… - Military …, 2006 - ingentaconnect.com
... Introduction. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic disabling condition caused by
witnessing or being involved in a ... of sexual harassment might also reduce the incidence or severity
of PTSD or reduce the incidence of other traumas, such as sexual assault. ...
witnessing or being involved in a ... of sexual harassment might also reduce the incidence or severity
of PTSD or reduce the incidence of other traumas, such as sexual assault. ...
[PDF] Psychometric properties of PTSD Checklist in sample of male veterans
SM Keen, CJ Kutter, BL Niles… - Journal of …, 2008 - rehab.research.va.gov
... Screening for post-traumatic stress disorder in female Veteran's Affairs patients: Validation of
the PTSD ... Personality Inventory-II, PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder, SA = sexual assault,
SCID = Structured ... excluding individuals who do not meet criteria for PTSD is important (eg ...
the PTSD ... Personality Inventory-II, PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder, SA = sexual assault,
SCID = Structured ... excluding individuals who do not meet criteria for PTSD is important (eg ...
PTSD and utilization of medical treatment services among male Vietnam veterans
PP Schnurr, MJ Friedman, A Sengupta… - The Journal of …, 2000 - journals.lww.com
... For example, Boscarino and Chang found that PTSD in male Vietnam veterans was associated
with increased risk of atrioventricular conduction defects and infarctions, even after statistical
adjustment for anxiety, depression, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ...
with increased risk of atrioventricular conduction defects and infarctions, even after statistical
adjustment for anxiety, depression, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ...
[HTML] DSM‐IV Diagnosed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women Veterans With and Without Military Sexual Trauma
D Yaeger, N Himmelfarb, A Cammack… - Journal of General …, 2006 - Wiley Online Library
... PTSD severity and health perceptions in the female victims of sexual assault. J
Trauma Stress. 2000;13: 635–49. ... Post-traumatic stress disorder and functioning
and quality of life outcomes in female Vietnam veterans. Mil Med. ...
Trauma Stress. 2000;13: 635–49. ... Post-traumatic stress disorder and functioning
and quality of life outcomes in female Vietnam veterans. Mil Med. ...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Fast Facts
- PTSD affects about 7.7 million American adults.
- PTSD can occur at any age.
- Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men, and there is some evidence that the potential for the disorder may run in families.
- PTSD is often accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or other anxiety disorders.
- Members of the military exposed to war/combat and other groups at high risk for trauma exposure are at risk for developing PTSD .
- Among veterans returning from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, PTSD and mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often linked and their symptoms may overlap. Blast waves from explosions can cause TBI, rattling the brain inside the skull.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop after a terrifying ordeal involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm. You don't have to be physically hurt to get PTSD. You can get it after you see others—a friend, a family member, even a stranger—harmed or threatened.
War veterans brought PTSD to public attention. But PTSD can stem from traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. The majority of people exposed to such events experience some symptoms of distress (sleep problems, jumpiness). Most fully recover in a few weeks or months. PTSD is currently the subject of many research studies that are funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
People with PTSD may become emotionally numb, especially in relation to people with whom they used to be close. They may lose interest in things they used to enjoy. They may startle easily or be irritable, become aggressive, and may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. They avoid situations that remind them of the original incident, and often find anniversaries of the incident to be very difficult.
PTSD symptoms seem to be worse if they were triggered deliberately by another person, as in a mugging or rape. Most PTSD sufferers repeatedly relive the trauma in their thoughts during the day and in nightmares when they sleep. These are called flashbacks. Flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings. They are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming, a car backfiring, or being in a place that looks like where the trauma took place. A person having a flashback is likely to feel the emotions and physical feelings that occurred when the incident happened despite no longer being in danger.
Not every traumatized person develops full-blown or even minor PTSD. Symptoms usually begin within three months of the incident, but occasionally may only emerge years later. They must last more than a month to be considered PTSD. The condition varies from person to person. Some people recover within months, while others have symptoms for much longer. In some people, the condition becomes chronic.
To Find Out More
- MedlinePlus medlineplus.gov
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
www.nimh.nih.gov - National Center for PTSD (U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs) www.ncptsd.va.gov/
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke www.ninds.nih.gov
PTSD and the Military
Today, hundreds of thousands of service men and women and recent military veterans have seen combat. Many have been shot at, seen their buddies killed, or witnessed death up close. These are types of events that can lead to PTSD.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that PTSD afflicts:
- Almost 31 percent of Vietnam veterans
- As many as 10 percent of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans
- 11 percent of veterans of the war in Afghanistan
- 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans
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