Helping Military Spouses Understand The Impact of Military Sexual Violence

Military Spouses are an invisible army of support to both serving personnel and veterans and some sadly are the main carer of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors. There is so much more that the charity sector could do to help spouses, family members and significant others understand the physical and psychological impact in service sexual assault has on survivors both during and after service. Everyone in the service charity sector should educate themselves about what MST is and the common experiences of survivors. Knowledge about the prevalence, nature, and effects of MST can foster empathy and understanding. Its vitally important to understand how sexual trauma can affect behaviour, emotions, and relationships. Understanding and recognising these signs can help everyone involved access appropriate support during the process of recovery. Its essential that we all encourage the survivor to seek professional help as soon as possible after the event and connecting with others who have had similar experiences can be both therapeutic and reassuring. Allowing the survivor to share their feelings and experiences at their own pace is essential, as is a non judgemental attitude. We all understand that healing from trauma takes time so patience and continuous support without pressure is crucial in both the short and long term. Supporting the survivor and a spouse through trauma can be emotionally taxing so, specialist training and supervision is essential for front line workers to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of the survivor and their family whilst taking care of their own mental and physical health. We encourage open, honest communication about feelings and what boundaries each person needs to feel safe. At Forward Assist we let the survivor control the pace of any discussions about their trauma and do not push for details or solutions in the early stages. Similarly, respecting the survivors decisions regarding treatment, reporting the incident, or legal actions is paramount to any intervention. We do however, help survivors navigate systems for accessing healthcare, legal assistance, or veteran services as being an advocate can empower the survivor. Everyone should promote stability and routine as daily routines can provide a sense of normalcy and safety. Fostering a home environment that is both calm and predictable reduces unnecessary stress. We all have a collective responsibility to stay informed about the rights and resources available to MST survivors through the military and veteran services. Helping MST survivors navigate healthcare systems will ensure they receive appropriate and timely care. If you can encourage survivors to build a network of supportive friends and family that understand that recovery is not linear and will be subject changing needs and stress. Supporting an MST survivor involves a combination of empathy, education, and active support. It's essential to build a supportive environment, encourage professional help, and ensure you take care of your own well-being. Being an advocate and a reliable source of stability can make a significant difference in the recovery journey.

Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist