Unseen battles: the recognition, assessment, and treatment issues of men with military sexual trauma (MST)

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2014 Apr;15(2):94-101. doi: 10.1177/1524838013511540. Epub 2013 Nov 13.

Abstract

While there is increasing attention on sexual violence in the military, the focus has been primarily on women. There is very little information regarding the effects of and treatment for men who experience military sexual trauma (MST). The aim of this article is to consolidate the known information about men with MST including prevalence rates, factors that affect those rates, gender differences, medical and psychiatric sequelae, and finally a review of two experimental studies. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are also discussed.

Keywords: PTSD; male victims; mental health and violence; sexual assault; war.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Men / psychology*
  • Military Personnel / psychology*
  • Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Offenses / psychology*
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data