Anti-Violence Program
Veterans for Diversity, Inc in partnership with Maryann Gorski of the Milwaukee LGBT Center are working together to provide a program of health initiatives for lesbian veterans who have served and are serving their country. For information on the LGBT Anti-Violence Project you can find it at: http://www.mkelgbt.org/index.asp?p=15
Maryann will supplying information here to LGBT veterans who have been exposed to violence. Come back often as this page changes.
Military Sexual Trauma and Women Veterans
Military sexual trauma (MST) is sexual harassment or sexual assault that happens while you are in the military.
Sexual harassment may include:
- A put-down because of your gender
- Flirting when you’ve made it clear it’s not welcome
- Sexual comments or gestures about your body or lifestyle
- Pressure for sexual favors
Sexual assault is any kind of sexual activity you don’t want. It can include:
- Touching or grabbing
- Intercourse
- Oral or anal sex
- Penetration with an object
MST can happen during war, peace, or training. It can be man-to-woman , woman-to-man, woman-to-woman, or man-to-man. If you’ve experienced MST, you may feel fear, shame, anger, embarrassment, or guilt. You may feel it is hard to trust people. You may even have physical symptoms like headaches, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, or gynecological problems.
Treatment
After a sexual assault, many veterans keep quiet. They worry about what others will think about them if they speak up. But if you have experienced MST, you should find help. The Veteran’s Administration (VA) has qualified MST counselors at every hospital. They can discuss treatment with you to help you get better. Counseling is often used to treat MST. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines that can help with your symptoms. Treatment can help you cope with the trauma and regain any lost self-esteem.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Women Veterans
IPV is also known as domestic violence. IPV is when a current or former partner uses behaviors or threats that can make you feel scared, controlled, or intimidated. A relationship in which IPV occurs is an abusive relationship.
IPV could include any of the following:
- Physical violence: hitting, pushing, grabbing, biting, choking, shaking, slapping
- Sexual violence: attempted or actual sexual contact without your consent
- Threats of physical or sexual abuse: words, looks or gestures to control or frighten
- Psychological or emotional abuse: humiliating, putting down, isolating, threatening
- Stalking: following, harassing, or unwanted contact that makes you feel afraid
What are some signs of an abusive relationship?
Relationships can be complicated in general. A relationship with IPV can be overwhelming and confusing. Sometimes it can be hard to know if you have experienced IPV. The following questions give some examples of unsafe behaviors that can happen in a relationship.
- Does your partner control all of the family income and budget? Control your work or your schooling?
- Does your partner keep you away from friends and family? Control you by questions and threats about what you do, where you go, and people you see?
- Does your partner put you down, or make you feel guilty or ashamed? Blame you for the abuse?
- Does your partner make or carry out threats to hurt your body or your feelings, or those of someone you love? Threaten to ruin your reputation? Threaten to take your children away?
- Does your partner scare you by breaking or destroying objects, or punching holes in walls? Hurting or threatening pets?
- Does your partner physically or sexually assault you or your children?
MST survivors are more likely to experience other kinds of violence, such as IPV. Not much is known about which things make someone more likely to hurt their spouse or partner. But PTSD may make a person more likely to hurt or threaten their partner.
Treatment
While IPV itself is not a mental disorder, a number of mental health diagnoses are associated with being a victim of IPV. IPV can lead to PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health problems.
A doctor or mental health professional with experience in treating people who experience IPV can help you. Treatment may include "talk" therapy, medication, or both.