Army OneSource Victim Advocacy Program: This program provides comprehensive assistance and support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, including crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and proceedings, and referral to military and civilian shelters and other resources available to victims. Victim Advocacy services are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week to Soldiers and Family members.
Disabled American Veterans: This nonprofit organization advocates for and supports disabled veterans in accessing benefits within the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. They provide grassroots advocacy, education for lawmakers and the public, and support legislation that benefits disabled veterans.
Fatigues Clothesline: The Fatigues Clothesline is an awareness and art-based program for service members and veterans coping with Military Sexual Trauma. It seeks to create dialogue as well as provide an outlet for people to express themselves openly and discreetly. The website also provides various resources, including poetry, health and wellness tips, and information on ending sexually oppressive language and culture.
Grace after Fire: This page is for women veterans and their loved ones, to connect with one another and with its professional partners, to find resources, to learn and to get involved. They emphasize healing to promote re-engagement in family and personal life and a well lifestyle.
Military Families Learning Community: This portal is one segment of the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma, a project of the Nation Child Traumatic Stress Network. This portal offers speakers series and podcasts for family members and caretakers of military personnel.
Military OneSource: Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services. 1-800-342-9647. However, victims who desire assistance with sexual assault should request to speak directly with a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at or near their location. OneSource operators cannot offer Restricted Reporting to military members.
Military Rape Crisis Center: This private organization provides information for veterans, active duty service members, and allies interested in getting involved. It includes a staff of case managers and provides information on how to get involved in preventing sexual violence against military members. They also have a Facebook page: MRCC: Supporting Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma.
My Duty to Speak: This website acts as a blog for posting true personal accounts of people who experience sexual violence in the military and the responses to their trauma. Many people share an experience of re-victimization within the system meant to protect them. It is important to note that posting content online is not confidential and that exercising self care is important when reviewing difficult materials.
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Sexual Violence Issues in the Military: The National Center has a particular focus on the military's response to domestic and sexual violence. See their Military Links and PTSD and TBI Links.
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: The Center aims to help U.S. Veterans and others through research, education, and training on trauma and PTSD.
Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN): SWAN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women service members and veterans through advocacy, education, and referrals. This organization does policy work and seeks to change the culture of the military to be equal opportunity for all people.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO): SAPRO is the organization responsible for the oversight of Department of Defense (DoD) sexual assault policy. The Department of Defense is committed to the prevention of sexual assault. The Department has implemented a comprehensive policy to ensure the safety, dignity and well being of all members of the Armed Forces.
Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program: The SHARP Program coordinates prevention and awareness raising efforts for the Army. The I. A.M. Strong Campaign is a project of SHARP. Their website provides resources on sexual assault response and prevention for service members and supervisors, as well as information on policy, procedures, and reporting.
Veterans Care Guide: This guide from SeniorLiving.org helps veterans, their surviving spouses, and dependents determine their financial and clinical eligibility for VA Benefits. Additionally, it explains how to apply for benefits and it also covers the various veteran care options.
VetWow: Advocates for women and men impacted by military sexual trauma. They promote safety and security for all people, particularly people who experienced sexual violence in the military. They also promote policy and practices for holding offenders accountable for their actions.
Articles referenced:
Sadler, A. G., Booth, B. M., Cook, B. L., & Doebelling, B. N. (2003). Factors associated with women's risk of rape in the military environment. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 43, 262-273. doi:10.1002/ajim.10202
Kimerling, R., Gima, K., Smith, M. W., Street, A., & Frayne, S. (2007). The Veterans Health Administration and military sexual trauma. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 2160-2166. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.092999 Retrieved fromhttp://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/reprint/97/12/2160
Callahan, J. L. (2009). Manifestations of power and control: Training as the catalyst for scandal at the United States Air Force Academy. Violence Against Women, 15, 1149-1168. doi:10.1177/1077801209344341
Cater, J. K., & Leach, J. (2011). Veterans, military sexual trauma and PTSD: Rehabilitation planning implications. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 42(2), 33-40.
Suris, A., & Lind, L. (2008). Military sexual trauma: A review of prevalence and associated health consequences in veterans.Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 9, 250-269. doi:10.1177/1524838008324419
Turchik, J. A., & Wilson, S. M. (2010). Sexual assault in the U.S. military: A review of the literature and recommendations for the future. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 15, 267-277. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2010.01.005
Williams, I. & Berstein, K. (2011). Military sexual trauma among U.S. female veterans. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 25, 138-147. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2010.07.003
Natelson, R. (2009). A case for federal oversight of military sexual harassment. Clearinghouse Review: Journal of Poverty Law and Policy, 43, 277-281.