Sexual coercion is an important issue for military personnel because it can affect their physical, mental, emotional, social, and professional health. It refers to unwanted sexual contact that may be forced, threatened, or manipulated through pressure or deception, including verbal harassment, touching, and assault. Sexual coercion can have long-term consequences for a soldier's wellbeing and performance in various ways.
Experiences of sexual coercion influence psychosocial adaptation and resilience across a soldier's career differently depending on several factors. First, age plays a significant role. Younger soldiers tend to experience more severe effects than older ones due to differences in developmental stages, maturation levels, and experiences. Second, gender also matters as men are less likely to report incidents compared to women. Third, cultural norms play an essential role, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of authority or power over the victim. Fourth, marital status, ethnicity, religion, education level, socioeconomic background, and other personal characteristics may shape how a soldier reacts to sexual coercion and its impact.
After experiencing sexual coercion, soldiers may struggle with guilt, shame, self-blame, and fear. They may feel disgusted by themselves or others, experience anxiety attacks or PTSD symptoms, lose trust in their partners and colleagues, develop negative attitudes towards sex and relationships, isolate from friends and family members, and exhibit risky behaviors like drinking too much or acting out aggressively.
To adapt to such experiences positively, soldiers must seek support from peers and professionals. This means talking openly about their feelings and receiving professional help to process the event, understand it objectively, and move forward. Other coping strategies include journaling, physical exercise, art therapy, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With time and effort, they can learn healthy ways to manage stress, regulate emotions, and reconnect with loved ones.
Some individuals cannot overcome trauma alone, and long-term treatment may be necessary.
Sexual coercion poses significant challenges for military personnel that require prompt action and sustained support. Understanding how these experiences influence psychosocial adaptation and resilience across a soldier's career allows us to provide tailored interventions to improve overall wellbeing and job performance.
How do experiences of sexual coercion influence psychosocial adaptation and resilience across a soldier's career?
Sexual coercion is defined as any unwanted sexual contact that occurs under circumstances where consent cannot be given (Graves & Grov, 2017). In the context of military service, sexual coercion can occur both within and outside of the unit.