Veteran finds a home after sexual trauma

This article contains themes of sexual assault, which may be distressing for some readers. If you or another Veteran you know is in need of assistance, reach out for help through the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838), or Dial 988 then Press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

In just 18 months, Nikea Reed has turned her life around. The Army Veteran says she’s a totally different person than who she used to be.

She’s gone from being a self-described “soulless body” struggling with addiction and enduring periods of homelessness to renting her own apartment and studying graphic design.

Although Reed joined the Army to avoid becoming homeless, events during her service would drive her to the brink once again until she reached out to VA for help.

When she was drifting and directionless after graduating from high school, Reed’s parents gave her an ultimatum: Join the Army or move out. Reed joined in 2012.

She enjoyed her time in basic training, but two weeks after being assigned to her first unit, Reed was raped by another soldier. Shortly after, she was mentally and sexually abused by a non-commissioned officer in her chain of command.

Just 18 years old and far away from her family, she became depressed and suicidal, turning to alcohol and drugs to cope with the pain. When a drug test eventually came back positive, she received an Other Than Honorable discharge in 2015.

The turning point

For the next eight years, Reed lived with her mother, but her ongoing substance use issues made it difficult for her to keep a job or stay with her family. She would sometimes resort to sleeping in her car with her dog.

“My family didn’t know what to do to help me and I didn’t want any help. I didn’t realize the severity of my situation and I didn’t care about my life,” Reed shared.

Tired of living this way, she began to listen to pleas to get help. She went to a local Vet Center and was referred to a rehabilitation facility in the town she used to go to party.

Though she entered rehab thinking she just needed a quick stint, Reed ended up committing fully to her recovery and completed over a year of inpatient and outpatient treatment.

A vital part of that recovery was getting the mental health treatment she needed to reprocess the trauma of her assault.

“When you’re going to plant something, you have to dig a hole that’s deep enough to fit the plant. Otherwise, you’re just going to have to keep on putting soil on top when the roots start showing. You’re never going to be able to fully heal,” she explained.

A new lease on life

Everything in her life is different now.

Though ineligible for many VA benefits because of her discharge status, Reed did qualify for the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program due to an eligibility expansion of the program in 2021.

She now lives in an apartment in a new town with her dog Zulu, who was certified as a service dog. She’s in recovery and has found a community of sober women, many of whom also experienced military sexual trauma, to lift her up and support her.

Encouraged by those around her who’ve successfully gone back to school, she’s revisiting an interest from high school: art and graphic design. Her goal is to become an entrepreneur after she graduates.

She has also been helped along the way by her VA case manager, Shelby Ross, who checks in on her often.

“I had no idea all these services existed. I’m grateful and lucky that the information was given to me at the right time when I was ready to receive it. Ever since I made that phone call, every single day has been better and better and better,” she added.

Learn about VA programs 

• If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness or need to connect with a Veterans justice outreach specialist, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
• Visit VA Military Sexual Trauma Treatment Services for more information about VA’s free treatment services to assist in recovery from military sexual trauma. You may be able to receive this care even if you are not eligible for other VA health care.
• Visit VA Homeless Programs to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
• Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness. 
• Learn how to get involved with housing homeless Veterans.
• Subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.