Women Veterans - Act Now
Please break the silence on sexual harassment and assault.
Let's unclassify sexual secrets and light the way for the
young women of tomorrow.
If you are one of the multitude of women veterans who experienced sexual
trauma while on active duty in the military, you may need help. Counseling
and treatment is available. You may have what is called PTSD - Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder - which is not limited to combat stress, or even having
been in a combat zone.
Signs of PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a lot of things.
It may be the reason you drink too much alcohol.
It may be why you feel down in the dumps more than you should.
It may be what causes your nightmares.
It may be causing those feelings of fear you have - that seem to happen
for no reason.
It may be causing problems during your most intimate moments with a partner.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a recurrent emotional reaction
to a terrifying, uncontrollable or life threatening event.
This does not mean that you have to have been ten thousand
feet in the air without a parachute when the plane lost an engine.
This does not mean that you have to have been in a foxhole
under artillery fire with fifty enemy troops charging you.
You could have been told by a senior male sergeant to
perform oral sex in
the file room or you wouldn't get promoted.
So you did, and you buried it in that secret garden
in your mind and went
on with your life.
You could have been told by a general that if you didn't
have sex with him
he would have you discharged as a homosexual.
So you did, and you buried it in that secret garden
in your mind and went
on with your life.
You could have been told by a civilian supervisor that if he
couldn't perform
oral sex on you he would have you shipped out.
So you did, and you buried it in that secret garden
in your mind and went
on with your life.
You could have been told by an instructor that he'd
wash you out of school
if you didn't have sex his way.
So you did, and you buried it in that secret garden
in your mind and went
on with your life.
You could have been flying space available and been forced
to "join
the mile high club" or lose your ride.
So you did, and you buried it in that secret garden
of your mind and went
on with your life.
Or you could have had an equally shattering experience under
different circumstances.
One that you have carried with you for years.
You are not alone and help is out there for you.
No, it won't be easy and yes, talking about it will be difficult - but
not impossible. It was not your fault!
Talking about your experiences with sensitive and trained professionals
will help reduce many of your problems.
And don't think you have to have reported the incident when you were on
active duty...you were probably too upset, or were threatened by your antagonist.
There is no requirement for a past report in order for you to get counseling
with the VA. It's there, it's available and you are eligible by virtue of
your service -
No matter when you served!
Women Veterans are eligible by law:
Public Law 102-585
Public Law 102-585, Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, Title I
- Women Veterans Health
Programs, as amended by Public Law 103-452, Veterans Health Programs
Extension Act of
1994, established programs to improve health care services for
veterans including priority
counseling and treatment for sexual trauma for eligible veterans.
VA may provide counseling and treatment to veterans who VA determines
require such
counseling, care, and services to overcome sexual trauma. The
trauma may result for a physical
assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual
harassment which occurred while
serving on active military duty. Public Law 102-585, defines sexual
harassment as repeated,
unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which
is threatening in character.
Break the silence.
Make the call.
Help yourself and the young
women who will follow you.
Contact the Women Veterans Coordinator at your nearest VA center.
Or call 1-800-827-1000 for more information.
An interesting book about the effects of PTSD on one woman:
A valuable resource for survivors:
Survivors Art Foundation
