Veterans are people who have served in the military, often for extended periods of time, and may experience a range of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual challenges after returning to civilian life. One significant challenge is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can develop after exposure to combat or other traumatic events. PTSD symptoms include re-experiencing trauma through nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts; avoidance of reminders of the trauma; negative changes in mood and cognition; increased arousal and hypervigilance; and difficulty with interpersonal relationships and emotions regulation. These symptoms can impact veterans' perception of safety, consent, and bodily autonomy in sexual encounters. This article will explore how trauma impacts these aspects of intimacy and offer suggestions for support.
How Trauma Impacts Veterans' Sexual Safety
Trauma can lead to hyperarousal, making it difficult for veterans to relax and feel safe during sex. They may be quick to react to perceived threats and triggers, leading to difficulties with arousal, pleasure, and orgasm. They may also struggle with trust issues, especially if their trauma involved betrayals by someone they trusted. Fear of being hurt physically or emotionally can make them less open to intimacy and more guarded about their boundaries. They may avoid certain situations that could trigger memories of past traumas, such as dark places or loud noises. These fears can affect their ability to connect emotionally and experience intimacy.
How Trauma Impacts Veterans' Consent
Veterans may have difficulty recognizing when a sexual encounter is consensual due to trauma-related challenges like poor impulse control and reduced self-awareness. They may seek out casual or anonymous partners, or engage in high-risk behaviors without considering the potential consequences. They may struggle to communicate effectively, or feel ashamed or guilty about their needs and desires. They may blame themselves or others for their experiences or feel powerless to stop unwanted advances. Trauma can also cause confusion about what constitutes consent, leading to misunderstandings and violations of personal boundaries.
How Trauma Impacts Veterans' Bodily Autonomy
PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and intrusive thoughts can disrupt veterans' sense of bodily autonomy. They may feel detached from their bodies, experiencing them as separate entities that are not under their control. This can impact physical sensation, making it difficult to enjoy sex or feel pleasure. It can also lead to difficulties with regulating emotions and managing feelings of anxiety, guilt, shame, and anger. Veterans may try to numb these feelings through substance use or risky behaviors, further complicating their relationships and wellbeing. They may struggle to set healthy boundaries around touch, privacy, and intimacy, or over-rely on sex as a way to manage stress and distress.
Suggestions for Support
If you know a veteran who has experienced trauma, offer support by being patient, respectful, and understanding. Avoid assumptions about their experience or needs, and ask open-ended questions to better understand their perspective. Offer nonjudgmental validation and affirmation, and give space for them to express themselves fully without interruption. Encourage them to seek professional help if they are struggling, but do not pressure them into doing so. Be present in the moment during sexual encounters, communicating clearly and checking in regularly to ensure mutual consent and comfort. Remember that everyone's journey is unique and allow them to share what they need to share at their own pace.
Trauma can have a profound impact on veterans' perception of safety, consent, and bodily autonomy. By understanding these challenges and offering support, we can help our veterans heal from past traumas and build fulfilling, healthy relationships.
In what ways does trauma impact veterans' perception of sexual safety, consent, and bodily autonomy?
The experience of military service often comes with a variety of physical and mental challenges that can have lasting effects on an individual's life, including their sense of safety and control over their body.