Survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) do not need to have reported the MST to receive professional, confidential counseling. MST is sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service.
Community-based Vet Centers offer counseling to any Veteran or service member—including members of the National Guard and Reserve forces—who was sexually traumatized while serving in the military. Counseling is available regardless of gender or era of service, and a client does not need to have sought care within a certain time frame or provide any kind of documentation of the MST experienced.
MST can include:
- Being pressured or coerced into sexual activities, such as threats of negative treatment for refusing to cooperate or with promises of better treatment in exchange for sex.
- Being physically forced to have sex.
- Being touched in a sexual way that makes you uncomfortable, including during “hazing.”
- Being subjected to comments about your body or sexual activities that you found threatening.
- Sexual contact without your consent, such as when you are asleep or intoxicated.
- Having intimate images or videos taken or shared without your permission.
Vet Centers are safe, accessible and supportive places to receive care for MST in a non-medical setting. They are located in neighborhoods near Veterans, service members and their families, yet separate from VA organizational sites to ensure confidential counseling and reduce barriers to care.
There are more than 300 Vet Centers, numerous satellite locations and more than 80 Mobile Vet Centers offering services in all 50 states and U.S. territories. All Vet Centers maintain non-traditional appointment schedules including after normal business hours to accommodate your schedule.
Helping you regain confidence in your everyday life
Many Vet Center counselors are Veterans themselves and know that healing from MST looks different for everyone. MST counseling may include individual or group therapy, marital and family counseling, referral for benefits assistance, liaison with community agencies, or substance abuse information and referral to help you deal with the emotions of MST and regain confidence in your everyday life.
In addition to counseling, Vet Centers offer opportunities to engage with others through recreation activities like arts and crafts workshops, game nights, trips to local sports events and barbeque get-togethers.
All Vet Center services are prepaid through military service and you do not need to be registered for VA health care or be service connected for your sexual trauma. Contact your nearest Vet Center or call the 24/7 confidential Vet Center Call Center at 877-927-8387.
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Like many of you, I am very frustrated with the VA. I got in contact with them and requested trauma counseling for my MST. I had to wait over nine months to get in to see a counselor, and when I did, I was told that they were going to give me 6 to 8 sessions. I declined because I didn’t want to start reliving the trauma only to be abandoned when they thought I had had enough sessions to deal with an event I have struggled with for over 30 years. I continue trying to get the counseling I need, but it is extremely frustrating. I hope we all finally get the counseling we all need to process our traumas. Blessed Be to All.
This has become more of the most frustrating and traumatic experiences handleling everything is need to handle through the V.A.
My son and my experiences, is incredibly difficult on a daily basis because of trying to get help
Over 20 years ago, an Army service member raped me when he came home on leave. I was in the National Guard. I boxed up that event stored that memory so deep into the recesses of my memory, I still can’t remember when I moved away, and anything from that period in my life.
I recently remembered that I was raped. I have called the MST, left messages, stopped by the VA clinic, and STILL have not received any help. I am so upset that the military is not stepping up to help me learn how to process these emotions I did not have the strength to face 20 years ago.
Listen to these people. They are asking for help but VA isn’t listening. And for everyone’s info, VA only wants you thru the door once. If you need follow up care you become a boat anchor. So if you can, keep your civilian counselor. They see you based on your needs, not on a list that some 22 year old Dr in training has to follow. Be proactive and stand up for yourself. The VA doesn’t care.
My neighbor crashed his suv into my hudvash home, but I have to reapply for hudvash housing because of this. If family didn’t pick me up from the bus stop I was living on, I’d still be homeless, but finding housing and a lawyer about the crash is making everything more frustrating
How do you find a vet center? I don’t think there is one near me. I counseled vets for many years and would do that again.
It’s almost sad to know there are many many people on the same position. They proclaim to be here for veterans but I highly question that….
Community care was initially offered, but then, the VA hired en masse in Mental Health and are now pulling Vets away from their community counselors.this is disgusting. Call the VA Hotline, open a case, be your own advocate.dont let the VA do this. They are saying the most unbelievable things, like, 5 years is more than enough time in counseling. We need to evaluate you here in house, don’t let them!
I’ve been trying to get into this program for almost 2 months and man I don’t understand what’s happening my name is Edward Bryant
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Oh brother, your story is so familiar. They did the same thing to me. I had to use a lawyer. The counselors at the VA were the main part of my problem.
Yes I suffer from MST and PTSD I’m still getting mental help for both I was diagnosed with both not only I was sexually abuse but also physically abused, but VA Denied my claim. I’m appealing it but I’m sure they will turned me down again. No wonder my mental health is going from bad to worse