There was once a time when I thought I had been the only one. Never had it crossed my mind there was anyone else that had experienced the same kind of fears brought on by being a sexual assault survivor. I was convinced that my life was an extraordinary mix up and what had happened through out was too hard for anyone to believe. It has been too hard for me to believe.
When I entered the Veterans Administration Hospital (VA) treatment program for PTSD I was amazed to learn there are many others-so many that VA has an individual title-‘military sexual trauma’ (MST) and even has an in-patient treatment center in Bay Pines,Florida. I have heard it is a seven week program. I have come to know the numbers of MST survivors are in the thousands. It did not make me feel comfortable to know-it actually makes me sick to think of it.
When I was raped the beginning of the longest fear began. Included in that fear is the ability to stand up for myself. I lost that ability in barracks D-results of too many times having my arm twisted behind my back to do things unmentionable for my bully. Anytime an argument begins I already loose because I have been trained to loose.
I never thought that I would be writing about all of this. For much of my life since discharge from the Navy I had figured it out that no one was interested in what had happened. I spent most of my life appearing like a looser to many-I couldn’t hold a job-I had a hard time staying sober,or clean from drugs. Things I know now are directly connected to my mental health-that being distorted by the events in barracks D….they call it PTSD.
When during treatment-which finally came some 30 plus years after living the way I had-in secret of what had happened those years ago…when during treatment I was encouraged to appeal for a ‘service connected disability’. I was told-and it is so,that I am permanently injured due to the events in my life in the military.
As a male survivor-I can only speak from my point of view. I know that sitting down and telling any man that I had been raped was not a pleasant thing to do. The first man I ever told was the officer I told about the rapes-the morning they happened. He laughed it off as if I told him a funny bit of trivia telling me to “get used to it”!!
When I told the ‘veterans advocate’ at our local Veterans Affairs office my story he made statements that offended me and insulted others. He was perplexed that my attackers were not black men. He made another statement that rang of ignorance…”gee,you never think homosexuals have a need to rape each other!” There were other comments that seemed to regard rape as a sexual encounter of some kind-and not a physically violent crime. Comments that kept connecting men raping men has anything to do with homosexuality-these are wrong.
Combined with that experience-echoing the sounds of the officer back in barracks D….”get used to it!” and knowing the numbers of MST survivors are large-larger than the American public know,I cannot stand it that MST survivors suffer so much humiliation and shame would also have to be subjected to the same kind of ignorance that I found myself facing.
And I am thinking about this from the perspective of a MST survivor-male and female…the degradation is the same. What disturbs me is the unfairness it all carries with it. Being forced to remain silent all of our lives out of fear-and for safety…then being convinced to trust once again-to come forward and enlist the system to correct some wrongs,offer validation-and then the same system confronts the MST survivor with bigoted remarks. Is this happening to every MST survivor? I feel like it is-and it the reason the true numbers of MST survivors are actually unknown.
After the rape-nothing goes away. You may take a shower and wash off. But nothing goes away. It is worse than a tattoo. At least if you don’t like the tattoo you can have it changed-but most likely the mark on your skin never goes away. It is like the mark in your mind-the mind of a rape survivor…it is always there. Just what might even be considered a slight thought about the rapes makes my skin feel quivery and my stomach ill-and after 39 years one would think it might change.
And then by chance that you are reminded there is an option to seek validation through the challenge of justice-there is no one that is qualified for you to trust. I certainly did not feel any wings of protection coming from my first ‘advocate’. I felt fear-and knew by instinct that this was someone who was not on my side…and I did not want him to be trying to be.
Where are the rights of these veterans?
The Veterans Administration says we cannot provide our own representation-unless they are approved by the VA. The representative they approved-and provided me was a bigot. He had no ears for my case…he did not care-I was paper work to him. There are many other MST survivors who should fear this policy-who should have the freedom to proper representation in these sensitive cases. The ‘gunny sargent’ turned veterans advocate has no business being a confident in something he absolutely does not even believe in-cannot comprehend in truth…confused as to why homosexuals need to rape each other,or that violent crime is only committed by certain races.
That is unjust-and I believe it is illegal. Yet this is the kind of approved representation MST survivors are offered?
Tags: civil rights for MST survivors, male survivors of military sexual trauma, military sexual trauma, MST
a males life after rape 
March 19, 2009 at 11:51 pm |
I am so glad I found your blog! I always call my self the “cyber klutz” because I’m really just learning all this online stuff as I go along. I don’t know how to find out who all is linking to me. I didn’t know you had a link to me up on your sidebar. Thanks a lot! I will link to you also, if that’s okay.
I don’t know a thing about politics, the government, the military, etc. But there’s GOT to be some more ways to get the word out and get more letters sent. I AM a pretty good idea person. I’m going to think on it. I want to help raise more awareness about MST.
March 20, 2009 at 10:37 pm |
I am also so glad you found my blog…the blog about an MST survivor and for the many others.
Yes…Marjaka-more voices are needed,many more voices.
I don’t understand politics either…but I know somewhere there is a top and someone is going to hear…we will not stop this kind of crime-but we can make changes that will help.
Read on…I ain’t finished yet!!
Peace
March 29, 2009 at 8:56 pm |
Jay,
You need to know how much I needed to hear your story. I, like you, am a survivor of MST. Although surviving isn’t exactly the word I’d use just yet. I have made a decision after 34 years that it’s time for me to face this. I’m scared to death, and sick of living this way. But I am beginning therapy this week, come what may. Thanks for your words. I truly needed to hear them. I’ll be thinking of you.
-Gina
February 18, 2011 at 3:17 am |
Hello to All Survivors,
I have only just begun to fight, and it saddens me to know this happens in what I had hoped would be a 20 year Marine Corps career for me. During the Combat Training phase of my training I was aggressively assaulted by an E-6; I was an E-2 at the time. I won’t go into much detail of that but would love to help and hear from other folks who served in the Marines in 1972 at Camp Geiger, India Company about April of 1972.
I know other Marines had this happen to them in the Company. I would love to hear from anyone who suffered for over 40 years as I have from PTSD, MST, and Sexual Assault by another male.
I would especially like to hear from PFC Alexander a good buddy of mine. This is PT and I need your help.
I wholeheartedly empathize with you all during your pain, suffering and hardship. I am on a road finally of recovering but not finished dealing with the scars. I am going to deal with the military and go as far as I have to.
A new definition of rape, “A forceful violation of another person’s sexual intimacy,” by John Paul II, I believe. This would tend to cover all bases of any type of sexual aggression towards those of us who are truly innocent.
Please, I implore, someone get back to me to let me know how to handle this in a legal nature so to stop the abuse. I know this is not what the early colonial army had in mind in terms of serving a young nation patriotically, and as far as I am concerned, I will not give up nor will I give in.
Prayers and blessings to all who read and all who reply.
Thank you,
J. PT Evans
March 30, 2009 at 2:17 am |
Gina~it helps me to know I am helping some one else. I feel the same way-survivor is something I’m not sure I’ve done,but I made it this far. Finding out about how to deal with this-the terror of just simple things,has been a road as long as the one you have been on. Like you-I only learned to confront it a few years ago. The more I confront it-the more I own it.
I look forward to hearing of how things are going for you.
Peace
April 4, 2009 at 10:20 am |
March 09 Edition: Issues of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse…
Welcome to the March 31, 2009 edition of recovery from childhood sexual abuse.This edition was dedicated to exploring issues of male survivors of sexual abuse have to deal with. It was intriguing for me to notice the gender divide when……
June 24, 2009 at 11:46 pm |
I have a service connection for sexual tramua and ptsd. I am here to tell you in Texas the system is very much against a male mst survivor.
The treatment that is available for ptsd is only for combat veterans for combat ptsd. the sexual trama treatment is only for women not males.
It is hard in texas to get help from the va. They do not mind giving you drugs but other than that it is an uphill battle. I have had 4 doctors in less than a year not my choice but it seems no one can help. I have been told if I was a woman that would be one thing but being a male they seem to be at a loss.
June 25, 2009 at 6:38 pm |
It is a positive thing that you are ‘service connected’-it enhances your rights and gives you grounds to go into the ‘patients advocate’ and DEMAND specialised treatment for PTSD due to MST.
By LAW the VA is REQUIRED to offer you treatment indeninantly…if you are able to travel and be away for a short length of time there is an in-patient treatment at a VA facility in St.Petersburg Florida that also has a program for males.
You have RIGHTS to these programs.
Somewhere in this blog is a legal mandate of all VA regulations-sadly I’m not enough of a computer gleek to point out exactly where-but…look for it! The info is paramount for what you are saying.
Best wishes
May 6, 2010 at 3:32 pm |
It’s not really better for a woman. They want you to have turned them in. in my case my safety was a big issue and if I had turned him in I wouldn’t be sitting here today. Then they want proof from your records showing the typical male reactions. If you don’t suffer like the stereotypical male then it doesn’t count. Then they want you to provide a ‘buddy letter’. I was the only female and didn’t feel safe turning to anyone. The service providers won’t even touch it because I don’t have either of those 3 proofs so it’s not worth their time. I’ve been treated by the VA for 10 years and the VA says I’ve never been treated. As a matter of fact, every denial from the VA comes back with lies. If I lied to them I could get into huge trouble but they can lie to our vets every day and suffer no repercussions. I’m just to the point where I feel I’m postponing the inevitable. I don’t know why I’ve worked so hard all these years to survive.
May 6, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Help me help you and the many others-please! Write me something that I can hand deliver to Congress and Senators-tell them your story…even just releasing it helps,but-by writing your story you will be helping the countl;ess others who suffer like we do! peace
June 25, 2009 at 2:51 pm |
Hi
Just thought I’d check in. I’ve seen 2 psychiatrists, meds meds meds, and 3 psychologists. never the same one. i’m discouraged, feel like crap from the meds and wonder if this is really all worth it. they just don’t seem to care. i had a comp and pen eval 2 months ago, still haven’t heard anything back. i call, they say they’ll call back. they don’t. i’m starting to feel like it’s no use. how can we change this? i deserve treatment. it’s just not right.
June 25, 2009 at 6:42 pm |
At your VA facility should be a ‘patients advocate’ who is there for you! Go in and demand treatment saying you know that BY LAW the VA has to treat you-no excuse,it is law!
And-you are not required to take the meds…stop them if you can,you have that right too…I know,meds are just a sustutue for an answer…you have a legal right to treatment!! You can find the way!
I hope this helps…but I know the damage that inflicts us! So-things are not that easy.
June 25, 2009 at 9:17 pm |
a males life after rape
male sexual assault,military sexual trauma
——————————————————————————–
« ROTC arrests and MST‘wrecked’ »VA’s MST Policies and Treatment Benefits
By jayherron
The following is listing of the laws regarding the Veterans Administration MST Policies and Treatment. I stumbled onto these by accident one day-I feel they may be more useful in the hands of MST survivors and not kept closed and only available to VA staff as the headline I failed to copy had advised. You must read them carefully-and you can use them.
Summary DocumentsSummary of VA Laws, Directives, & National Policies Related to MST
Handout summarizing eligibility and billing rules related to MST
‘Office of General Counsel MST Eligibility Guidelines’ summary document
FAQs about payment for travel
Please see our discussion forum thread on this topic
MST and the Compensation and Pension process (August 7, 2008 MST Teleconference Training Series presentation)
Audio recording of this presentation
Overview / history of VA’s response to MST
MST-Related Laws, Directives, and Policies
Note: provisions that were changed in later Public Law, Directives, or policies appear with a cross-out line
1992: Public Law 102-585
Added section 1720D to Chapter 17 of Title 38 (”Veterans Benefits“; 38 CFR 17), US Code of Federal Regulations to authorize VA to provide outreach and counseling (up to December 31, 1995) to help women veterans overcome “psychological trauma” from a “physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment” that occurred while the veteran was serving on active duty.
Sexual harassment was defined as “repeated, unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character.”
The Secretary was to “give priority to the establishment and operation of the program to provide counseling.”
Veteran was required to seek counseling within two years of discharge.
Treatment could last for up to a year.
Mandated education of “mental health professionals and … other health care personnel” on MST issues.
1994: Public Law 103-452
Amended section 1720D of 38 CFR 17 to extend VA’s authorization to provide treatment through December 31, 1998.
Repealed requirement that veteran seek counseling within two years of discharge.
Expanded treatment to men.
Expanded treatment to physical conditions resulting from MST.
Changed outpatient sexual trauma counseling, care, and services to priority I.
Repealed limits on length of treatment.
1995: VA Directive 10-95-030
Implemented PL 103-452.
Made MST-related “counseling, care, and services” free of charge. However, “medication copayments will be charged for services provided for nonservice-connected conditions.”
1997: Under Secretary for Health’s Information Letter IL-10-97-037
Based on a General Counsel Opinion (VAOPGCADV 17-97), clarified the eligibility rules for veterans seeking treatment for MST.
Persons are eligible for MST care and counseling services if they meet the definition of “veteran” in 38 USC Section 1720D. This includes reservists and members of the National Guard who were activated to full-time duty status in the Armed Forces. It does not include those who experienced MST while on active duty for training.
No minimum length of service requirements apply.
Veterans need not have filed a claim for service-connected disability.
1998: Public Law 105-368 [section 902 on Acrobat page 46 of this document]
Amended section 1720D of 38 CFR 17 to extend VA’s authorization to provide treatment through December 31, 2001.
1998: VA Directive 98-058
Notified VA healthcare personnel that VA’s authority to provide treatment had been extended through December 31, 2001 (as per PL 105-368.)
1999: Public Law 106-117 (”Millennium Bill”) [section 115 on Acrobat page 14 of this document]
Amended section 1720D of 38 CFR 17 to extend VA’s authorization to provide treatment through December 31, 2004.
Changed wording from VA “may” provide care to “shall” provide care.
Required outreach to veterans about the MST-related counseling and treatment available, particularly in collaboration with DoD.
Required VA to submit reports to Congress on outreach activities specified in this Public Law and on the number of veterans receiving MST-related counseling.
1999: VA Directive 99-039
Instituted a nationwide system (”MST software application”) to “indicate a veteran’s claim of MST; indicate if a veteran’s treatment is related to MST; and generate statistical and demographic reports related to MST”.
Stated that it is “important” that all Primary Care and Behavioral Health providers screen for MST.
2000: VA Directive 2000-008
Provided a definition for MST, based on PL 102-585: “The law defines sexual trauma as sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, and other acts of violence. It further defines sexual harassment as repeated, unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature, which is threatening in nature.”
Given the need for “confidentiality and sensitivity to the impact of MST on veterans”, mandated that all staff receive education on MST-related issues.
Mandated screening all veterans for MST.
Per Millennium Bill, required outreach, particularly in collaboration with DOD, to help overcome barriers to treatment.
Required all facilities to designate an MST Coordinator.
Required all facilities to implement the “MST software” and “track MST patients.”
Required monitoring treatment rates for MST, aggegrated by gender.
2004: Public Law 108-422 [section 301 on Acrobat page 4 of this document]
Amended section 1720D of 38 CFR 17 to make VA’s authority to provide sexual trauma counseling to veterans permanent.
Extended MST treatment to active duty for training (ADUTRA) service members.
2005: VA Directive 2005-015
Specified that Medical Center Directors are responsible for appointing a designated MST Coordinator.
Medical Center Directors must also ensure that a “MST Counselor(s) or Team” is available so that all enrolled veterans are screened for MST.
Mandated “necessary staff education and training.”
Scheduling for outpatient MST-related care should be within 30 days, consistent with VHA performance standards of scheduling for special populations and mental health clinics.
Required documentation of screening, referral, and treatment for MST-related care, aggregated by gender via use of the MST software and MST clinical reminder.
Specified that even veterans who are otherwise ineligible for VA health care benefits based on length of military service may be provided MST-related care.
Stated that veterans receiving MST-related counseling and treatment should not be billed for inpatient, outpatient, or pharmaceutical co-payments.
Veterans “need to be informed of their eligibility to file a claim for service connected disability compensation” and told how to learn more about how to do this.
2007: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38, 1720D (38 CFR 17) [section 1720D on Acrobat page 204 of this document] Note: This document loads VERY slowly.
Title 38 description of coverage of veterans’ benefits related to MST, as last updated in 2007.
2008: Uniform Mental Health Services document (VHA Handbook 1160.01) [section 24, Acrobat page 42 of this document in particular, although other sections also reference MST (e.g., section 9, Acrobat page 13)]
Memo releasing this document
Note: Our June, 2008 MST Teleconference Training Series call and our PowerPoint on VA Laws, Directives, & National Policies have more information about this document.
Describes mental health-related services that must be available at every VA facility.
All facilities must install the MST clinical reminder in CPRS.
All veterans must be screened using this reminder.
Veterans who request treatment must be provided free care for mental and physical health conditions related to MST. Determination as to whether the care is MST-related or not is made by the clinician providing care and is indicated by checking the MST box on the encounter form for the visit.
Facilities must monitor screening, referral, and treatment related to MST, aggregated by gender, by using the clinical reminder (for tracking screening) and the MST encounter form checkbox (to track treatment)
Note: The MST clinical reminder and encounter form checkbox are what is used by the Office of Mental Health Services and the MST Support Team to evaluate local screening, referral, and treatment. If they wish, facilities may also choose to use stop code 524 or purpose of visit code 55 for monitoring of treatment, as suggested by the Uniform Mental Health Services Package and Directive 2005-015. However, this should be in addition to, not instead of, the use of the MST encounter form checkbox.
Scheduling priority for outpatient care is consistent with VHA performance standards for scheduling clinics.
Veterans may be eligible for free MST-related care even if they are otherwise ineligible for VA services.
Every VISN must provide access to residential programs that can provide care for conditions resulting from MST.
Fee basis is permissible if clinical, resource, or geographic reasons make it not feasible to provide counseling in a VA facility.
Every VAMC must have an MST Coordinator who monitors and ensures that national and VISN-level policies related to MST screening, education and training, and treatment are implemented at the facility; serves as a point person and a source of information and problem-solving for MST-related issues at the facility; establishes and monitors mechanisms to ensure that all veterans are screened for MST and have access to treatment for conditions related to MST.
Evidence-based mental health care must be available to all veterans with mental health conditions related to MST.
When clinically indicated, facilities are strongly encouraged to give veterans the option of being assigned a same-sex mental health provider (or opposite-sex provider if the MST involved a same-sex perpetrator).
April 8, 2010 at 9:23 pm |
I live in Australia and have a claim pending. I am trying to get treatment for PTSD caused by MST. They don’t want to know me because I am overseas. They say the federal mandate doesn’t apply for me any ideas?
April 9, 2010 at 12:07 pm |
If you have a claim pending-you could trust fate that you will be awarded. By trusting fate-find a psychologist / therapy in the private sector who will treat you (out of your pocket,of course) and have the VA reimburse you at conclusion of your claim. They owe you therapy-the way I understand it-MT survivors of any class (meaning-the family member of a military person who has been traumatized) are by law provided therapy! To try to find you a few places to go to gain for insight-I found the following: http://www.randijames.com/2008/08/miles-foundation.htmld The writer mentions “The Miles Foundation” which I have had contact with in the past-but could not find the link online to offer you-however,I think it is listed as a link in my blog! I read Randi James blog-and this will be helpful to you also! I have an attorney-I believe you should use one too,ask me and I will provide contact info! Remember-attorneys are pro bono…unless you win! Then they are restricted to what they can bill you for! Also-email Lynn Johnson and tell her about your case (believe me-you can trust Lynn) Lynn is a photojournalist that has made it her personal project to tell the story’s of MST survivors! ljohnphoto@aol.com I believe Lynn has made several contacts during her quest to tell our story-contacts that may have greater resources than I. I apologize I have not more to give! Please let me know how things progress! Peace
April 12, 2010 at 9:40 pm |
Thank you so much. You have been of great help for me. I have actually contacted to lawyers. One never responded the other has passed me on to a service. I would appreciate details of you lawyer just in case. I will follow up with Lynn. Thank you again!! Being in Australia does makes things difficult. The problem I have with therapy is that I have no up front money. We are working on it however. Peace and love to you as well!!
September 15, 2010 at 2:39 am |
Jay,
Thank you for sharing your story. I too am a survivor of MST. I wish I had the courage sooner to speak up about it. Hopefully your story, along with the reply of many others, will make it easier for those impacted by MST to come forward. We live in a society that gains strength in numbers. It took me 15 years of abusing alcohol and drugs, 12 jobs, 3 relationships, and countless failed attempts at sobriety to finally land where I am at today. I’m sober and looking at getting into treatment for MST.
I was encouraged to file a SC claim for PTSD and MST. My claim was denied because my MST was never reported and because I did not mention it during my separation psychiatric appointment. Of course I didn’t..I didn’t want to admit it to anyone. Although the evaluator identified severe impairment due to the MST it couldn’t be “connected” to my military service since it was never reported. Instead I was awarded 10% for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified relating to a physical injury I had received in the military.
Are you aware of any successful claims for MST and what are the key criteria to be successful on my appeal. I appreciate the help. Keep up the great work with the blog.
September 15, 2010 at 11:08 am |
J…you are showing your own level of courage by reaching out and telling your story here. I am very hopeful that you have appealed your decision,and if not you still have time left to do so. Appeal…because you have a right! I am 70% service connected because of MST,directly related. I am in the appeal process to be declared fully disabled. You need an attorney!! http://www.hillandponton.com is a good place to begin. I can tell you the personality from them is 100% and for me it is good because authority scares me. You may not have reported your rape,that makes no difference. What you have is known as ‘truth’. When you have truth you have everything you need! My suggestion is to go purchase one of those old fashioned composition books (like we used in school-those old black notebooks with lined pages inside) and write down your exact account of the attack(s) and after that write how your life has been changed,alcohol and jobs and wives,also-make note of every individual in your life that can note that you changed since discharge from the military,make note of any individual in you life that may even have a hint that you were sexually traumatized. Then determine if any on that list can or would write you a statement telling about the change in JS. The new ruling from the VA regarding PTSD claims does help us ‘silent wounded’. However the battle of MST veteran is still large. The battle to get as far as I have has really not been any way near satisfying except to be writing this blog and knowing that others are helped by it. The notebook is for you but also to put your facts in line and order and hope that there are reminders that you overlooked and need to make note of. It can help when and if you get an attorney. And I suggest you get an attorney! 100%…find yourself an attorney and be sure to find one that clearly understands sexual trauma!! I hope this helps! All I can say…do everything in your power to keep the claim alive,as you said…numbers! peace
September 15, 2010 at 12:36 pm |
Thanks Jay for the recommendations. I am currently 90% service connected for injuries that occurred during active service so I didn’t think it would be that far of a reach to get to 100%. I’m learning now that it is very difficult to get that last 10%. I already have an attorney who is working on my Social Security claim so I will ask them too about my FA claim. Again, thanks, and God Bless.
September 15, 2010 at 1:18 pm |
I am sure that your SS attorney can help you or put you in the right direction. The VA attorney will have to be an approved attorney,just as SS would have to be. You are doing alright,yes you are! Peace
November 15, 2011 at 1:31 am |
Hi James,
I’m currently searching for male survivors of MST for an awareness project, and would greatly appreciate it if you would contact me. My email is rose.lew88@gmail.com
Kindest Regards,
Andrea Lewis
December 15, 2010 at 8:15 am |
[…] MST survivors need rights! posted at a males life after rape. saying There was once a time when I thought I had been the only one. Never had it crossed my mind there was anyone else that had experienced the same kind of fears brought on by being a sexual assault survivor. […]
December 20, 2010 at 1:58 am |
My name is Jody.I have something that I want to talk about but I am very nervous and I haven’t told my wife nothing about this.And I have kept this from her in my mind for years, for years…,I mean for years. And it happened years ago 1973,Marck,around from the 7th to the 14th.Don’t know what date but it was a weekend.I was stationed at Fort Polk,Louisiana.And I graduated on the 1st of March,1973 from basic training.Everybody had got orders to go to their next stations after gradution.A lot of them took them,I didn’t get no orderss, so I had 2 weeks left back behind so it;s just like a permanent party.They put me in the cook’s barracks cause I took AIT there at Fort Porlk.One weekend I decided to go downtown, to a town called leesvile.
December 20, 2010 at 2:10 am |
you can write me direct if you want to get this off your chest to someone,and yo can be assured I will listen. archerbeachrez@gmail.com
April 17, 2012 at 4:28 pm |
Hi Fellow Veterans!
I am a woman who was raped, stalked, harrassed and poisoned after becoming pregnant. No one I went to assisted me. I was married and he too, was abused. We had no one to turn to because this person was high-ranking and very well-connected. It has been over 30 years and we are still suffering. We went to the Menatl Health Clinic and before we could get back to work, he knew everything we had discussed! It was not safe to discuss these matters with anyone. When he poisoned me and almost killed me and the unborn child, we had to keep quite because the threats we now life-threatening. After decades of living in Hell, I took matters into my own hands and learned the Regulations and represented myself. I have gotten my spouse to finally come to terms with his abuse and to finally file. I am representing him. I am 100% Total & Permanent. I have been successful in representing others. I do not charge because God has blessed me with this knowledge to assist fellow veterans who are suffering in silence, like me. If any of you need my assistance, please feel free to contact me. Perhaps this is why God allowed me to go thru this so that I could assist others with the same experiences. These violations will not go unpunished!
August 19, 2012 at 3:35 pm |
God Bless YOU Melanie Pope!
May 26, 2012 at 7:12 am |
Nothing hurts more over MST than the waiting game with the VA concerning claims. It has been the most stressful event. And its a crying shame when the veteran knows more about MST than those there. Im so tired of this whole thing. Will I get comp or not? Will they finish the claim this year or not? Its so stressing.
August 23, 2012 at 2:05 pm |
Shark, you are absolutely correct in the fact that the VA is almost as much the culprit as the criminals who assaulted you! The first thing to understand-in regards to your claim-it takes several years! My battle with them took nearly six!! IMPORTANT to remember…DO NOT GIVE UP!
If you recieve a rejection-APPEAL!
Once you quit-you quit! No more opening it back up!
This too…if you can afford to see your own psychiatrist-away from the VA-to support your PTSD claim-DO IT!!
Your own physicians statements over-ride VA medical center so called health care doc’s!!
I am sorry this is so hard to endure, being honest-it was almost as bad as the miserable crime!
peace
August 13, 2012 at 5:11 am |
I Jody Linzy Walton Was A (MST) AND 1973.I have a PTSD claims in VA now.
August 23, 2012 at 1:27 pm |
Jody…the moment you filed the claim you began a hard fight, but YOU ARE fighting back!
DO NOT give up!!
KEEP FIGHTING until you recieve the justice you deserve!
It does not take away the pain of our post trauma but it does empower you in a way l can not exactly explain!
If you keep on fighting this claim you in a sense are fighting back and that is the important part, you will see!
peace
Jay
June 6, 2014 at 6:43 pm |
I am a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma. I thrive now It has been a long road. I want to bring together a group of MST survivors who are now living well–mind body and spirit—with the goal of creating a website or some type of forum where returning female veterans can speak to us. Anyone interested my email is prayedtoday@hotmail.com—-we are the only ones who can really reach these women and get them onto the road of recovery and healing—it is heavy on my heart to do this—
September 15, 2016 at 5:54 am |
I posted a comment and my email and name were posted. It was not suppose to be. Please remove it ASAP and contact me please!!!
December 26, 2019 at 4:17 am |
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