Reset for systematic action: Removing VA barriers to housing and treatment for military veterans with sexual offenses.

Abstract

Though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides housing, residential treatment, and mental health care to justice involved veterans, those with sexual offenses face daunting obstacles to securing such services, including exclusion from housing programs, and lack of mental health services to treat sexual deviancy disorders. The VA's strategy to date may reflect a large system's caution in systematically addressing a problem that involves a population with an even higher degree of stigma than homelessness. Failure to develop strategies to address this problem reflects the need for a VA system-wide, consistent, and effective approach across relevant domains that incorporate the current state of knowledge and practice. Since 2006, the VA's program serving justice system veterans has been highly effective in serving the reentry veteran population. The challenge of serving veterans with sex offenses can and must be met with a similar level of effectiveness. In this commentary, we propose that the VA, beginning with the Secretary, adopt a "reset" policy and programmatic action agenda to enhance access to housing and treatment for sexual deviancy disorders. We offer specific pathways for implementation. Impact StatementAcross U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) surveys conducted since 1998, male U.S. military veterans are incarcerated for sexual offenses at nearly twice the rate of civilians. However, postincarceration, these veterans face daunting obstacles to securing such services, including exclusion from housing programs, and lack of mental health services to treat sexual deviancy disorders. The VA system from top to bottom should "reset" policies to enhance public safety and the veteran's successful community integration.

Barreras Sociales, de Salud y de Salud Mental para el Cuidado: La Perspectiva de los Proveedores de Veteranos Sin Hogar

“…A study in the UK identified 5 common themes (employment, housing, skills and experience, physical/psychological wellbeing, and addictions/antisocial behavior) in which stigmatization was made based on erroneous stereotypes that exacerbated the difficulties toward social reintegration (Phillips, 2020). Intersectionality aspects may also be considered in the case of homeless veterans who are also sexual offenders because they experience higher stigmatization rates and difficulties towards social reintegration (Sreenivasan et al, 2022). Beyond this, race and sex also play a role in the stigmatization process from a blameworthiness, dangerousness, and social distance perspective.…”