Help for military sexual trauma
EDITOR’S NOTE: Columnist John Ostwald will submit daily columns for the two weeks prior to Veterans Day. The columns cover a variety of armed forces issues. The information in the columns comes from interviews with veterans and family members, research and John’s perspective as an educator and veteran.
From Senator Kirsten Gilibrand’s Military Justice Improvement Act: “Unfortunately, each year, thousands of service members are raped and sexually assaulted. Only a small fraction of the perpetrators are ever held accountable for their heinous, violent crimes.”
The statistics are alarming and so are the personal accounts. The media has covered the pertinent issues extensively except for recovery/therapeutic issues.
Recently I interviewed therapist Don McCasland, LMSWCCTP who currently works at the VA Vet Center in Clarksville, Tenn. He served more than 21 years in the U.S. Army, including Desert Shield/Desert Storm and three tours in Iraq. He is a PTSD survivor and brings that experience and insight to his clients and to the community. Don works exclusively with survivors of trauma (with a focus on combat and military sexual assaultrelated trauma), and grief.
• Why so much focus on Military Sexual Trauma now? Was it a problem during WW II?
I definitely feel that this has always been an issue, but now we are becoming more aware of it because of reporting procedures, and people are more willing to step forward and say something. In the past, it was just something that wasn’t discussed.
• When you work with survivors, what particularly therapeutic approach or strategy do you find useful?
I don’t find any one particular treatment modality more helpful than another; in that there is no one practice that can fit everyone’s situation and experience. I have found that across the board, if you are truly there with the survivor, in the moment, fully invested in what they are saying, how they are saying it, to include those subtle unspoken messages and feelings- that you can’t go wrong. For many trauma survivors, the first time they have ever shared their experience is with you. It’s so very important that we listen to them, and hear what they are saying. That rapport, that human connection is more important than just about anything else.
• What can be done to help prevent these traumatic experiences?
What truly needs to happen is nothing short of a shift in the culture within the military. Rather than having classes about how to avoid being sexually assaulted, thereby putting the burden on potential victims the focus should be put on making people aware that predatory and assaultive behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and that they will be dealt with swiftly and severely. Not only should perpetrators be dealt with, but it should be made clear that anyone anywhere in the chain of command that tolerates this behavior, encourages it, or is aware of it but turns a blind eye will be dealt with equally as severely and swiftly. In my experience during my 21+ years in the military, and now as a mental health care provider working with veterans, this is not being done- not nearly to the extent that is needed for real and meaningful change to take place.
• What specific challenges do you face as a person trying to facilitate healing?
The biggest initial hurdle that I face is the building of trust between me and the veteran. Entering the military, from day one you are taught that you can rely on the person to your left and right. Once someone becomes fully invested in that idea, and gives their all to be part of that, and that sense of trust is broken by a sexual assault, it can almost never be regained. However, when a veteran comes to me needing help to find their way on the Warriors Path toward healing, it’s a team effort. Once they truly understand and see that I am there with them, walking with them on this path that is sometimes difficult and painful to stay on- that’s when the trust comes into play. Once I earn their trust, and they see that it’s possible to trust someone and not have that trust broken, the possibilities are limitless.