The following story includes discussions of sensitive topics like sexual harassment and sexual assault. VA acknowledges it may be difficult to engage with this content. It is our priority to make our stories educational, where we can engage empathetically and thoughtfully with difficult content, when appropriate, to promote a culture that is safe, welcoming and inclusive for all. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, support is available.
Over two million women Veterans live in the U.S., making them the fastest growing Veteran group. For over 100 years VA has given women Veterans access to a wide range of comprehensive health and gender specific care that supports their every stage of life.
Women Veterans can have unique health needs following their time in service and, unfortunately for some, additional support may be needed if they experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault. About 1 in 3 women Veterans tell their VA health care provider they experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault while in the military.
It is important to note that sexual harassment and sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of gender. Both men and women can experience sexual violence.
How is VA creating a safe and inclusive environment for women Veterans?
VA has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and sexual harassment, which means VA expects and actively works to create a culture free of such incidents. However, responding to sexual harassment and sexual assault is not enough. VA aims to achieve and sustain a proactively inclusive culture for all genders.
VA systematically carries out national harassment and sexual assault prevention and recovery strategies. We also outline ways to act if you see misconduct, which helps to ensure a culture of respect is maintained throughout VA.
VA’s commitment extends to collaborative efforts across facilities where clinicians undergo specialized training to deliver trauma-informed health care, specifically addressing the needs of women Veterans who have encountered military sexual trauma (MST) or intimate partner violence (IPV).
MST refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. As with other forms of trauma, MST can impact women Veterans in different ways. VA provides free MST related mental health counseling and medical care at all VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics.
Wherever women Veterans receive care at VA, they should feel safe
VA also offers the Beyond MST Mobile App, a free, secure and private self-help mobile app created specifically to support the health and well-being of those who have experienced MST. Telehealth appointments are always an option for those not comfortable with in-person appointments.
IPV is a specific type of domestic violence that refers to physical, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as stalking, between intimate partners. Military service has unique psychological, social and environmental factors that contribute to elevated risk of IPV.
In response, VA created the VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP), which offers guidance for healthier relationships between Veterans and their partners who may be experiencing IPV. The program provides confidential help through a local IPV coordinator who can offer safety planning guides and link women Veterans with VA providers. They also provide access to community-based support, domestic violence shelters, legal services and housing through VA’s Homeless Programs Office if needed.
VA is committed to providing women Veterans with appropriate treatment and resources for their mental health needs. Wherever women Veterans receive care within VA, they should feel safe, confident and empowered during medical examinations. This fosters a safe environment, ensuring they receive the highest quality care possible.
Learn more about how VA creates a more welcoming environment free of harassment for all who rely on our services.
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I agree with William, Patrick and Scott.
It’s bad enough dealing with this type of socio-political brain-wash attempts in civilian life.
Army Air Corp had WACs, Navy had WAvs. So, if women want to have a Special Space, reactivate
one or both of the women-only branches. Don’t enter an environment historically constructed as an institution for the building of killing machines, just because a Domestic Terrorist/Subversive Organization – Feminism manipulates your strings to divide and conquer what Fem. Terrorists have labeled a boys-only club. There are too many women that have taken the military as it’s intended to be successfully and without politicking for an Easy-Pass.
Regarding sexual assaults: I don’t know why a woman or anyone else would think the military is that different from civilian life. If the military was that safe, there’d be no need for police, detectives, UCMJ nor military prisons. Furthermore, to all the women service members in combat areas: do you think the enemy won’t sexually assault you – choose a safe career field occupied by educated, professional minded people.
Any service member and medical personnel who commits sexual assault, is/was predisposed to commit such a crime prior to service or suffered a breakdown. There are far too many ready, willing, males, females, etals, on/off base, as most members know, regardless whether Active, Reserve, Guard.
I’ve been to two VAs where I was sexually harassed and followed by male veterans to the point where it was traumatic and brought me to tears having to seek medical care. This has occurred recently, not in the past (as one might think). This is still a problem. Two VAs I will not visit again: DC VA and the Cleveland VA. Not recommended for women.
I really didn’t want my message to list my name, the Name and email (was required), but didn’t indicate it would be posted. Please remove post!
Va employed people that do not care and are the one harassing and not helping sick, injured veterans.
Many are the medical professionals.
Ooo-eee! The comments are interesting. Women finally make a very little progress, and men can’t cope. Women have been, and still are, treated horribly by the VA. Yes, I would like to see all veterans treated fairly. I would have liked to know that more men and women veterans who are ex-smokers over 65 yo got CT Lung scans that detect lessions while still treatable. But, the VA took four years to offer this life-saving diagnostic tool. My outside provider calculated my risk of breast cancer, and referred me to an outside specialist for preventive treatment. No VA provider ever did that. I stay out of the VA as much as possible.
They definitely are interesting comments. Transitioning males get better feminine care than biological females. Very interesting.
Looks like female vets can’t have a safe place anywhere. Even when it’s sent from the center for women vets.
Awesome there are so many resources. MST and rape is as old as war itself so it is about time…
I guess the VA really doesn’t understand nor have knowledge that the military used women to intimidate and harass men as well, why are the programs of male survivors to female sexual harassment?? When will this be brought to the forefront and special programs be made available for male suffers of sexual harassment??
I agree with Patrick and William, when I ask for a male ultrasound technician I get treated very rudely. I am told men can’t ask for same sex health care. Male veterans should get the same quality of health care as female veterans.
It is a question of valuing the patient. The male veteran should be valued equal to the female veteran.
We get treatment? You are talking about an ignored subject, as if women have had special treatment, when in fact it has been ignored.
Just out of curiosity, shouldn’t the VA create a safe place for ALL Veterans, and not just women?
Tell us when women get treatment please.
Sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the military leave many women unable to perform a sexual act with a husband without fear of being injured or hurt by one of them they need a place that they can discuss with other abused women on how to handle things and to have a happier life and a happier marriage And not be afraid to open up and share their feelings of how they feel about a man or a woman that has abused them in someway while on active duty, some women cannot accept it and cannot go on with their life because they are in such a fear of being hurt or abused again, and many are we need a center where we can open up about it though and discuss it
I agree with you Brenda. Thank you for taking the time to share your comment. I have had social workers, therapists, and other mental health providers. What I really need is a place where I can talk to women who understand the underlying complications of sexual assault and how it affects romantic relationships.
Brenda I agree with you. Some of the issues involved with healing involves our perception of not persecuting all men for the act of one. However, it’s still difficult when power struggles arise and a women’s ultimate feelings of weakness become all too normalized. I appreciate the availability of safe places / spaces for whom ever needs them.