Military Sexual Trauma: A Silent Syndrome

Abstract

CNE Article Ann W. Burgess, DNSc, FAAN, APRN, BC; Donna M. Slattery, RN, BS; Patricia A. Herlihy, RN, PhD This article examines an age-old problem—sexual assault—through the lens of its occurrence within the military culture. Specific cases as well as U.S. Department of Defense responses to better handle these issues are offered to educate psychiatric-mental health nurses of the potential differences in symptomatology and presentation of military sexual trauma (MST). This appears to be an increasing problem with the predicted cohort of returning veterans appearing both in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system as well as in civilian locations, hospitals, community centers, and especially the workplace. It will be critical to develop training materials and pursue further research to identify this silent syndrome of MST to better meet the needs of our returning veterans. Dr. Burgess is Professor of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Ms. Slattery is a graduate nursing student, and Dr. Herlihy is Visiting Scholar, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. Address correspondence to Ann W. Burgess, DNSc, FAAN, APRN, BC Professor of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467; e-mail: burges@bc.edu. 10.3928/02793695-20130109-03 Healio is intended for health care provider use and all comments will be posted at the discretion of the editors. We reserve the right not to post any comments with unsolicited information about medical devices or other products. At no time will Healio be used for medical advice to patients.