Military Sexual Trauma
Authored By: US Veterans Affairs
Contents
Link: www.mentalhealth.va.gov
Information
Overview
VA uses the term “military sexual trauma” (MST) to refer to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. MST includes any sexual activity during military service in which you were involved against your will or were unable to say no. Examples include:
- Being pressured or coerced into sexual activities, such as with threats of negative treatment if you refuse to cooperate or with promises of better treatment if you do cooperate
- Sexual contact or activities without your consent, including when you were asleep or intoxicated
- Being overpowered or physically forced to have sex
- Being touched or grabbed in a sexual way that made you uncomfortable, including during hazing experiences
- Comments about sexual activities or about your body that you found threatening
- Unwanted sexual advances that you found threatening
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Veterans from any background can experience MST. VA is ready to help Veterans and other former service members with free and confidential MST-related care, no matter how long ago the experience occurred.
Last Review and Update: Feb 25, 2026