The most recent data reveal that nearly one in three women and one in 50 men in the armed forces report having experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment during their military service, also known as military sexual trauma (MST). As there are significantly more men than women who wear the uniform, large numbers of men and women have reported this sort of violence. What’s more, some estimate that fewer than one out of every three sexual assaults are reported, meaning that this number could be even higher.
 
In order to best support veterans who are MST survivors, our Commonwealth’s Women Veterans Health Care Task Force recommended that the staff who administer veterans services should be trained on trauma-informed practices and approaches. As such, we will be introducing a companion bill to Senator Pennycuick’s Senate Bill 1061, to ensure that county directors of veterans’ affairs are trained in trauma-informed care, specifically including MST, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury.
 
Survivors of MST live with their experiences in different ways, and their mental and physical health may be significantly affected for years to come. We owe it to our veterans to see that the staff they turn to for resources are best equipped to meet their needs.
 
Please join us in sponsoring this important legislation.