Sexual trauma is prevalent among members of the military who have served in combat zones. Studies show that up to 46% of women and 12% of men who have been deployed in Afghanistan have experienced some form of sexual assault during their service (Potter et al., 2020).
Most victims are reluctant to report the incidents due to fear of stigma, shame, and potential career consequences (Kimerling & Ouimette, 2009; Stein et al., 2013).
There is limited understanding about how this traumatic experience affects post-deployment adjustment, moral reasoning, and social reintegration for these individuals (Nguyen et al., 2018). This article will explore this issue in detail by examining research findings, theoretical perspectives, and clinical interventions.
It is essential to understand what constitutes sexual trauma in the military context. Sexual trauma can involve unwanted touching or groping, rape, forced kissing, and threats to perform such acts (Potter et al., 2020). The perpetrators may be fellow soldiers, civilians, or enemy combatants (Stein et al., 2013). In many cases, the victim's superiors fail to address the incident or even cover it up (Kimerling & Ouimette, 2009). Victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts (Stein et al., 2013). They also feel powerlessness, betrayal, guilt, and self-blame (Potter et al., 2020). Moreover, they worry about their families back home who are unaware of the situation (Nguyen et al., 2018).
Researchers have identified several factors that make service members more vulnerable to sexual assault. These include gender, age, rank, deployment duration, proximity to battle zones, and history of mental health issues (Potter et al., 2020). Some studies suggest that male victims are less likely to report incidents due to fear of perceived weakness or homophobia (Nguyen et al., 2018; Potter et al., 2020).
Other research suggests that all victims experience similar psychological effects regardless of sex (Stein et al., 2013).
Some women report feeling isolated because most attention focuses on male veteran experiences (Nguyen et al., 2018).
There is a lack of clarity regarding how these traumas affect post-deployment adjustment. Previous research has shown that victims struggle with reintegrating into civilian life after returning home (Kimerling & Ouimette, 2009).
Many suffer from sleep disturbances, relationship problems, social isolation, and difficulty managing work commitments (Potter et al., 2020). They may also have trouble trusting others and regaining feelings of safety (Stein et al., 2013).
They often feel disconnected from family members who cannot understand their experience (Nguyen et al., 2018). It is essential to note that the symptoms vary depending on the victim's personality, coping style, and support system (Stein et al., 2013).
Sexual assault can lead to moral dilemmas for service members who must uphold ethical codes while in combat zones (Wright et al., 2014). The military emphasizes loyalty, teamwork, and discipline, which may conflict with personal values about respect and consent (Potter et al., 2020). This tension can lead to cognitive dissonance, where individuals rationalize their actions to resolve the inconsistency (Nguyen et al., 2018; Wright et al., 2014). Some soldiers even report feeling conflicted between selfishness and duty or courage versus fear (Potter et al., 2020).
They might question whether they should speak up against perpetrators despite knowing it could harm the mission (Kimerling & Ouimette, 2009). These challenges highlight the need for clinicians to address moral distress during treatment (Potter et al., 2020).
There are various interventions available to help victims cope with these experiences. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown promise by teaching skills such as exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and positive reframing (Nguyen et al., 2018). Group therapy can provide social support and reduce isolation (Stein et al., 2013). Medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs have also been effective for some patients (Kimerling & Ouimette, 2009).
There is still a lack of evidence on long-term effects due to limited research in this area (Wright et al., 2014). Nonetheless, early detection and treatment can improve outcomes (Kimerling & Ouimette, 2009).
Sexual trauma among military personnel requires urgent attention from policymakers, leaders, and healthcare providers. They must create safe reporting mechanisms, provide adequate resources, and advocate for legislative changes that protect victims' rights (Nguyen et al., 2018; Stein et al., 2013). This article has provided an overview of how sexual assault affects post-deployment adjustment, moral reasoning, and social reintegration. Further research is needed to understand
How do soldiers' experiences of sexual trauma affect post-deployment adjustment, moral reasoning, and social reintegration?
Soldiers who have experienced sexual trauma during deployment are likely to experience numerous effects on their post-deployment adjustment, moral reasoning, and social reintegration processes. The traumatic event can lead to long-term consequences such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, substance abuse, and self-harming behaviors. These issues may further impact an individual's ability to resume normal life after deployment.