Sexual Violence in Military Service Members/Veterans Individual and Interpersonal Outcomes Associated with Single and Multiple Exposures to Civilian and Military Sexual Violence

Abstract

Sexual harassment and violence is a grave public health concern and risk for revictimization increases following initial exposure. Studies of sexual revictimization in military samples are generally limited to women and are focused on rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with no examination of how revictimization relates to interpersonal outcomes, such as relationship or sexual satisfaction. The current study addressed these gaps in a sample of 833 women and 556 men service members/veterans. Self-reported outcomes of PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation, sexual function, and relationship satisfaction were compared across those reporting exposure to sexual harassment and violence before the military only (i.e., pre-military), during the military only (i.e., military sexual harassment and violence [MSV]), before and during the military (i.e., revictimization), and to no exposure. More than half of women (51.14%, n = 426) reported revictimization and only 5.79% ( n = 28) of men reported revictimization. Among women, those reporting MSV or revictimization tended to report higher PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation relative to pre-military sexual violence and no sexual violence exposure. No interpersonal outcomes were significantly different among these sexual violence groups. Among men, revictimization was associated with higher PTSD, depression, and sexual compulsivity. PTSD and depression were also higher among those reporting MSV only. No effects were found for premilitary sexual trauma exposure only or relationship satisfaction for either group. Findings highlight the particularly bothersome nature of MSV, whether it occurred alone or in tandem with premilitary sexual violence. Findings also show unique gender differences across outcomes, suggesting interventions following sexual harassment and violence may differ for men and women.

Stigma for seeking psychological help for military sexual trauma is associated with more frequent suicidal ideation among women service members and veterans.

“…The high prevalence of MST among women service members and veterans is further concerning when considering that those who experience MST are at elevated risk for a broad range of mental health, physical health, and adverse psychosocial outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, alcohol misuse, and sexual dysfunction (Blais et al, 2020, 2022; Blais & Geiser, 2019; Blais & Livingston, 2021; Blais, Monteith, & Kugler, 2018; Galovksi et al, 2022; Kimerling et al, 2007). Additionally, women MST survivors are more likely to experience suicidal ideation (Blais & Geiser, 2019; Decker et al, 2021), suicide attempts (Kimerling et al, 2007), and suicide mortality (Kimerling et al, 2016).…”

Negative posttraumatic cognitions about self potentially mediate the relation between sexual revictimization and suicide risk in a sample of military sexual assault survivors.

“…Sexual violence that occurred during military service is frequently associated with poorer outcomes relative to sexual violence that occurred before military service (Blais et al, 2023). This former experience is often referred to as military sexual trauma (MST).…”

Male sex and hazardous alcohol use following military sexual assault increase suicide risk among US service members and veterans

“…Whereas rate of death by suicide is higher among males (DoD, 2019 ), females’ rate of death by suicide is increasing faster than males’ (Department of Veteran Affairs, 2019 ). Additionally, females have higher rates of exposure to MST/MSA relative to males (Blais et al, 2023 ; Kimerling et al, 2016 ; Tannahill et al, 2023 ), yet males report more severe forms of MST (Morral et al, 2015 ). Males are also more likely to engage in problematic drinking (e.g.…”