Demand #2: Ensure VA support, healthcare, and counseling for MST Survivors
This is the second in a series of blog posts to explain 50501 Veterans’ Six Demands.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) refers to sexual harassment or sexual assault experienced during military service. It includes unwanted sexual advances, coercion, and assault, affecting men, women and nonbinary service members across all branches of the Armed Forces.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiated large-scale reductions in federal spending, including at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As part of these cost-cutting efforts, more than 1,200 programs are at risk of being defunded or severely limited, which directly affects MST support services.
Prevalence of Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
VA data indicates approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men who utilize VA healthcare report experiencing MST. Repercussions of MST extend beyond immediate trauma, often leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and a higher risk of suicide. Physical health complications such as chronic pain and gastrointestinal issues are also more prevalent among MST survivors.
Proposed VA budget reductions, including cuts to MST-related services, sparked widespread criticism from veteran advocacy groups and members of Congress. 88Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, voiced concerns that these reductions will disproportionately harm vulnerable veteran populations, including MST survivors. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and the American Legion launched national campaigns urging Congress to block the cuts.
Barriers to Care
VA medical centers currently employ specialized MST coordinators, mental health counselors and trauma-informed care providers. However, as the VA aims to reduce staffing by 83,000 positions, MST care personnel are among those likely to be downsized. This reduction will lead to:
Longer wait times for MST-related care.
Limited access to specialized trauma therapists trained in MST-specific PTSD treatment.
Reduced outreach efforts for MST survivors unaware of their eligibility for VA services.
Further budget cuts also risk creating more hurdles for veterans filing MST claims:
Increased denial rates for veterans filing for MST-related disability benefits.
Delays in compensation and healthcare access due to understaffed claims-processing departments.
Higher evidentiary burdens placed on survivors, making it harder for them to receive care and financial assistance. Studies show MST survivors are at a higher risk for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse disorders. VA mental health services dedicated to MST survivors rely on federally funded programs, which are now at risk. Without proper funding, MST survivors could face:
Fewer trauma-informed care providers trained to handle MST cases.
Reduced access to evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Higher suicide risks among survivors who lack adequate mental health care.
A critical aspect of MST prevention is mandatory training programs within the military to educate service members and leadership on MST identification, reporting and prevention. The Pentagon previously worked alongside VA experts to improve these programs, but budget cuts threaten to eliminate key funding for MST training initiatives. This could result in:
Fewer prevention efforts, increasing the risk of MST occurring in military environments.
Reduced military leadership accountability due to insufficient training on handling MST reports.
Weaker reporting mechanisms, discouraging survivors from coming forward.
Comprehensive Support
The VA budget cuts pose a serious risk to the future of MST-related healthcare, benefits and prevention programs. Without intervention, these cuts will reduce access to critical MST support services, increase claims denials and weaken prevention efforts. While proponents argue these cuts increase government efficiency, they come at the expense of veterans who already endured trauma during their service.
Preserving and strengthening MST support services should be a bipartisan priority, ensuring survivors receive the care and justice they deserve. 50501 Veterans calls for immediate, trauma-informed healthcare and mental health support for MST survivors, ensuring they receive the necessary care without bureaucratic obstacles.
I’m off for the VA to continue to support healthcare and coverage for MST and everything that veterans have endured in their life fighting for our country.