M.E.N.D. Managing Emotional Needs with Dignity For Male Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma "IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER CALL 911" "IF YOU ARE DEPLOYED AND IN IMMEDIATE DANGER FIND AN MP OR CHAPLAIN"
Friday, November 18, 2011
Board endorsment of http:/www.protectourdefenders.com/
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
M.E.N.D. 4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MST
AT A SPECIAL EMERGENCY MEETING VOTED 100% TO PLACE A ENDORSING STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF http:/www.protectourdefenders.com/
A NEW NON-PROFIT WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF SURVIVORS OF MST ON THIS WEBSITE.
REV. DR. WAYNE EDWARD MAY FOUNDER AND MST SURVIVOR DISCHARGED HONORABLY FROM THE U.S. ARMY JUNE 1980
M.E.N.D. 4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MST
AT A SPECIAL EMERGENCY MEETING VOTED 100% TO PLACE A ENDORSING STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF http:/www.protectourdefenders.com/
A NEW NON-PROFIT WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF SURVIVORS OF MST ON THIS WEBSITE.
REV. DR. WAYNE EDWARD MAY FOUNDER AND MST SURVIVOR DISCHARGED HONORABLY FROM THE U.S. ARMY JUNE 1980
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Veterans Services Office celebrates first anniversary
Veterans Services Office celebrates first anniversary
Veterans from WWII to today are seeking assistance
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Veterans Services Office celebrates its first anniversary on Friday, Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day. Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, who steered the initiative, says the office has been an absolute success.
“Our dedicated veterans’ service officers have helped veterans and their families gain access to more than $175,000 in benefits that they are entitled to but had trouble getting on their own,” Mallet said. “This money is keeping people in their homes and saving lives.”
The county’s Veterans Services Office, CVSO, was created at no additional cost to taxpayers by training existing staff from the disabilities office and using existing office space. Currently, two veterans’ services officers meet daily with veterans to help them fill out paperwork and better understand the programs and services that they have access to as a result of their service to our country.
“Whether coming home from a current conflict or a member of the greatest generation or any veteran in between, we must do everything we can to show our gratitude to these men and woman and their families,” Mallet said.
In its first year of operation, the CVSO has:
· filed 180 compensation and pension claims with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of veterans with 33 of the cases adjudicated by the VA so far;
· scheduled another 40 appointments to file claims with the VA;
· processed 1,112 unduplicated, incoming requests for information and assistance;
· referred veterans from World War II to the present day to counseling and resources for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, service connected disabilities, peer to peer support and more.
“Veterans report that they are very pleased to have a local full service Veterans Services Office in Monmouth County,” Mallet said. “Instead of having to travel to Newark, local veterans and their families are able to ask for and receive the help that they need closer to home.”
The majority of veterans who have filed claims served “In Country” in Vietnam. Their claims range from service-related PTSD to illness and diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.
The veterans’ services officers have also assisted World War II veterans with compensation claims and counseling referrals for untreated PTSD due to combat engagement with enemy forces more than 65 years ago. Many of these veterans are now in their late 80’s and early 90’s.
“Most recently we have begun seeing young veterans who grew up in Monmouth County,” Mallet said. “They are beginning to visit the office and file claims for PTSD and other service connected disabilities.”
Many veterans are referred by the CVSO to the Vet2Vet program for peer supportive services for PTSD, depressions and other adjustment issues. All veterans in need of counseling are referred to services with no cost and with little or no wait time.
Veterans from WWII to today are seeking assistance
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Veterans Services Office celebrates its first anniversary on Friday, Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day. Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, who steered the initiative, says the office has been an absolute success.
“Our dedicated veterans’ service officers have helped veterans and their families gain access to more than $175,000 in benefits that they are entitled to but had trouble getting on their own,” Mallet said. “This money is keeping people in their homes and saving lives.”
The county’s Veterans Services Office, CVSO, was created at no additional cost to taxpayers by training existing staff from the disabilities office and using existing office space. Currently, two veterans’ services officers meet daily with veterans to help them fill out paperwork and better understand the programs and services that they have access to as a result of their service to our country.
“Whether coming home from a current conflict or a member of the greatest generation or any veteran in between, we must do everything we can to show our gratitude to these men and woman and their families,” Mallet said.
In its first year of operation, the CVSO has:
· filed 180 compensation and pension claims with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of veterans with 33 of the cases adjudicated by the VA so far;
· scheduled another 40 appointments to file claims with the VA;
· processed 1,112 unduplicated, incoming requests for information and assistance;
· referred veterans from World War II to the present day to counseling and resources for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, service connected disabilities, peer to peer support and more.
“Veterans report that they are very pleased to have a local full service Veterans Services Office in Monmouth County,” Mallet said. “Instead of having to travel to Newark, local veterans and their families are able to ask for and receive the help that they need closer to home.”
The majority of veterans who have filed claims served “In Country” in Vietnam. Their claims range from service-related PTSD to illness and diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.
The veterans’ services officers have also assisted World War II veterans with compensation claims and counseling referrals for untreated PTSD due to combat engagement with enemy forces more than 65 years ago. Many of these veterans are now in their late 80’s and early 90’s.
“Most recently we have begun seeing young veterans who grew up in Monmouth County,” Mallet said. “They are beginning to visit the office and file claims for PTSD and other service connected disabilities.”
Many veterans are referred by the CVSO to the Vet2Vet program for peer supportive services for PTSD, depressions and other adjustment issues. All veterans in need of counseling are referred to services with no cost and with little or no wait time.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Training to be a better Not- For- Profit
M.E.N.D.4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA, Founder Wayne Edward May and Vice Chairman of our Board Steven Krietzberg are in New York City at The Foundation Center taken classes to help make our Not-For-Profit the best to serve our Veterans. Thanks to Wayne and Steven for this hard work.
Danielle Martin Volunteer Executive Director Art With A Heart NJ "The Art Program Of M.E.N.D. 4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MST
Danielle Martin Volunteer Executive Director Art With A Heart NJ "The Art Program Of M.E.N.D. 4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MST
Friday, September 23, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Veterans Information Seminar
| Time | Tuesday, March 29 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm |
|---|---|
| Location | Knights of Columbus, Council 1672 70 East Main Street Freehold, NJ RSVP's are appreciated but not necessary. Please RSVP by calling 732-616-8855 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 732-616-8855 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or emailing vegand@verizon.net. Free informational seminar for Veterans and their families. keynote speaker will be Amy Mallet Light refreshments will be served and handouts will be provided. Topics to be covered include: *Medical, mental health and social services offered by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, N.J. Dept. Military & Veterans Affairs and Monmouth County Veterans Services. *Non-profit and for-profit organizations that may assist veterans to get the services they need, when ineligible for certain programs. Please park in the side lot, or in the overflow parking lots located at Amboy Bank or the Elk’s Club across the street from the Knights of Columbus. |
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Psychiatric service dogs
Psychiatric service dogs
Although assistance dogs have traditionally helped with people with disabilities such as blindness or more recently deafness or mobility disabilities, there are a wide range of other disabilities that an assistance dog may be able to help with as well, including psychiatric disabilities.
Psychiatric service dogs may be of any breed or size suitable for public work. Some psychiatric service dogs are trained by the person who will become the handler- usually with the help of a professional trainer. Others are trained by assistance or service dog programs. Assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
Psychiatric service dogs
A psychiatric service dog is a specific type of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia.Although assistance dogs have traditionally helped with people with disabilities such as blindness or more recently deafness or mobility disabilities, there are a wide range of other disabilities that an assistance dog may be able to help with as well, including psychiatric disabilities.
Training
Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability. Training to mitigate a psychiatric disability may include providing environmental assessment (in such cases as paranoia or hallucinations), signalling behaviors (such as interrupting repetitive or injurious behaviors), reminding the handler to take medication, retrieving objects, guiding the handler from stressful situations, or acting as a brace if the handler becomes dizzy.Psychiatric service dogs may be of any breed or size suitable for public work. Some psychiatric service dogs are trained by the person who will become the handler- usually with the help of a professional trainer. Others are trained by assistance or service dog programs. Assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
Accessibility
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual," and therefore allows handlers of psychiatric service dogs the same rights and protections afforded to those with other types of service animals. Service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, are allowed to accompany their handler in any location that is normally accessible to the public whether or not health codes or business policy normally would allow a dog to enter, provided the dog behaves properly and does not interfere with normal operations (e.g. barking, biting, defecating, or obstructing other people) or pose a direct threat to the safety of others.Source
Description above from the Wikipedia article Psychiatric service dogs, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors here. Community Pages are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tsongas presses Defense Secretary Gates on Sexual Assault in the Military 02/16/11
Gates calls Tsongas suggestion “reasonable” and promises to consider legal access for victims and examine why victim conversations with advocates, attorneys are not privileged
WASHINGTON, DC – February 16, 2011 – The House Armed Services Committee today held a hearing to examine the Pentagon’s budget request for the coming fiscal year which featured testimony from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. Fifth District Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, a member of the Committee who is leading efforts to prevent sexual assault in the military and better protect servicemembers who have been victims of sexual assault, pressed Secretary Gates on the issue of sexual assault in the military and the Pentagon’s attempts to address it.Tsongas asked the Secretary why the Department of Defense does not grant privileged communication between victims of sexual assault and their advocates or attorney’s saying, “In 2010, there were 3,230 reported sexual assaults in the military. But by the Pentagon’s own estimate, as few as 10 percent of sexual assaults are reported. The VA estimates that 1 in 3 women veterans report experiencing some form of military sexual trauma. The FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Act required that the Department look into the feasibility of providing a military lawyer to all victims of sexual assault. While this is a good first step, I was disappointed that provisions contained which guarantees all victims the right to legal counsel and protects the confidentiality of conversations between victims and Victim Advocates, were not included in the final version of the FY 2011 NDAA. We would be shocked if conversations between a client and their attorney or advocate were not privileged in the civilian world, and similar rights must be afforded to servicemembers who may be the victim of a crime. Why would the Department resist such a common-sense measures?”
Secretary Gates responded by saying, “I hadn’t realized that the Department had resisted it and I must say, these things sound to me like reasonable actions, so I will take out of this hearing the charge to look into, if we opposed it, why we opposed it, and why we shouldn’t go forward on our own without legislative action.”
This statement by Secretary Gates represents a potential major breakthrough in the effort to provide victims of sexual assault in the military with better representation and support. Last year, the House approved bipartisan legislation, authored by Congresswoman Tsongas and Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH) which would have granted victims of sexual assault the right to legal counsel as well as the right to keep conversations between the victim and Victim Advocates privileged. Tsongas and Turner will be reintroducing their bill entitled the Defense Sexual Trauma Oversight and Good Governance Act (Defense STRONG Act) in the coming weeks.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday in Washington DC with the staff of M.E.N.D. 4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MST
Group of MST Survivors at The National Press Club
The Pentagon. They accuse the U.S. military of permitting a culture that tolerates rape and sexual assault. Seeking accountability in the armed forces. If you would like to know more here is a list of Media that covered this story.
CNN Piers Morgan Tonight:
• http://www.cnn.com/video/?/
• http://www.cnn.com/video/?/
AP (Wednesday):
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/
AP (Tuesday):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
NBC Nightly News / MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/
NBC Today / MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/
New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/
CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/
Newsweek / The Daily Beast:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/
ABC News:
http://abcnews.go.com/
BBC News:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
AOL News:
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/
Examiner News:
http://www.examiner.com/
Military Times:
http://www.militarytimes.com/
Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Talking Points Memo / TPM Muckraker:
http://tpmmuckraker.
Daily Mail (UK):
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
UPI:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/
Voice of America:
http://www.voanews.com/
Sky News:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/
Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/
Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
KNSD-NBC 7 (San Diego):
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/
WDTN-NBC 2 (Dayton, OH):
http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/
WCVB-ABC 5 (Boston):
http://www.thebostonchannel.
WUSA- News 9 (Washington, D.C.):
http://www.wusa9.com/news/
http://www.wusa9.com/video/
TBD-ABC 7 (Washington, D.C.):
http://www.tbd.com/articles/
KFOR-NBC 4 (Oklahoma City, OK):
http://www.kfor.com/news/
CTV (Canada):
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/
Democracy Now:
http://www.democracynow.org/
Press TV (Iran):
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/
New York Times Caucus Blog:
http://thecaucus.blogs.
Georgetown Patch:
http://georgetown.patch.com/
Ms. Sparky Blog:
http://mssparky.com/2011/02/
Ms. Magazine:
http://www.msmagazine.com/
Newser:
http://www.newser.com/story/
New Civil Rights Movement:
http://
KSFX-Ozarks FOX (Springfield, MO):
http://ozarksfirst.com/
Slate:
http://slatest.slate.com/id/
Care 2 Blog:
http://www.care2.com/causes/
America Blog:
http://www.americablog.com/
Wilmington (OH) News Journal:
http://www.wnewsj.com/main.
Please add any media not listed and a link if you can.
Till we meet again remember what
Winston Churchill said "IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP GOING"
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"PETITION TO END RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE MILITARY" petition signature - mendmst@gmail.com
Hi,
I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:
"PETITION TO END RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE MILITARY"
http://www.ipetitions.com/
I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes just a few seconds of your time.
Thanks!
------------------------------
Monday, February 14, 2011
Why Military Sexual Trauma May Cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/symptoms-of-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-military-sexual-trauma/
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Military Sexual Trauma
Military sexual trauma (MST) takes place when sexual abuse, whether it is verbal or physical, occurs among men and women of the military. Out of all the women who claim to have experienced this sexual trauma in the military, 40 to 60% developed post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, out of every other type of trauma that can occur in the military, sexual trauma is the number one cause of PTSD. Also, rape is probably the most common form of sexual assault which causes PTSD. For victims of sexual abuse, trauma therapy and post traumatic stress disorder treatment at a trauma treatment center is often very beneficial.Those who have endured sexual trauma in the military are more prone to developing post traumatic stress disorder than those who have experienced sexual trauma outside of the military. A lack of medical and emotional assistance or high stress levels may be a reason victims of MST are more prone to PTSD. Another reason why those who have experienced military sexual trauma often develop PTSD is because a fellow colleague or person respected by the victim is often the perpetrator. This sexual abuse would make further working difficult, especially if the victim must obey and continue to respect the perpetrator.
If the victim is sexual assaulted or harassed in the place they call home or work, fear is much more likely to take place because a once “safe-haven” is now a place of anxiety and bad memories. This type of crime may also hinder the person from achieving further goals and accomplishments out of helplessness. It may also be more difficult for a person to leave this type of a situation in the military, which puts a person at further risk for victimization. Other members of the military service often consider reporting such a negative crime about another soldier wrong and either will not believe the victim or will ignore them. For military members who have chosen to report sexual assault and were not believed or were blamed for the experience, PTSD is more common. Post traumatic stress disorder treatment centers are available to anyone looking to find military sexual trauma recovery. These centers offer a wide variety of specialized programs as well as therapy sessions. Often times, these PTSD treatment facilities are helpful in reducing the severe complications which may be associated with MST.
Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms associated with PTSD include:- Nightmares
- Little interest in participating in enjoyable activities
- Negative physical reactions in response to stressful situations
- Hypervigilance
- Anger
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Flashbacks
- Feelings of detachment
- Avoidance of places and things that may remind the person of the trauma
- Low sleep quality
- Anxiousness
- Hallucinations
Symptoms of Military Sexual Trauma
Reactions in response to MST differ according to each individual’s unique experience. Also, the way the victim is treated when the subject is brought up greatly affects the severity and duration of MST symptoms. Symptoms which may arise as a result of MST include:- Depression
- Health complications
- Anxiety
- Poor relationships
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Humiliation
- Psychological damage and strain
- Problems at work
- Sexual dysfunction
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Guilt
- Nightmares
For men who have experienced sexual trauma, Post traumatic stress may be more severe as males are known to be dominant rather than submissive. Also, because male sexual assault is much rarer and less commonly discussed, keeping military sexual trauma a secret is much more common as these men experience a certain type of embarrassment and shame from the situation.
PTSD treatment facilities and trauma treatment centers may be helpful if you or a loved one has experienced military sexual trauma. Trauma therapy and PTSD programs available at these rehab centers reduce symptoms of PTSD and MST as well as provide skills for an individual to succeed in life outside of a trauma treatment center.
About.com Article: MST in Men
 | Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) |
The following article from About.com was forwarded to you by Wayne Edward May.
MST in Men |
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MST rampant in US Military
Statistics and soldiers' testimonies reveal a harrowing epidemic of sexual assault in the US military.
Dahr Jamail Last Modified: 21 Dec 2010 13:22 GMT
Sexual assault within the ranks of the military is not a new problem. It is a systemic problem that has necessitated that the military conduct its own annual reporting on the crisis.
A 2003 Air Force Academy sexual assault scandal prompted the department of defense to include a provision in the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act that required investigations and reports of sexual harassment and assaults within US military academies to be filed. The personal toll is, nevertheless, devastating.
Military sexual trauma (MST) survivor Susan Avila-Smith is director of the veteran's advocacy group Women Organizing Women. She has been serving female and scores of male clients in various stages of recovery from MST for 15 years and knows of its devastating effects up close.
"People cannot conceive how badly wounded these people are," she told Al Jazeera, "Of the 3,000 I've worked with, only one is employed. Combat trauma is bad enough, but with MST it's not the enemy, it's our guys who are doing it. You're fighting your friends, your peers, people you've been told have your back. That betrayal, then the betrayal from the command is, they say, worse than the sexual assault itself."
On December 13, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups filed a federal lawsuit seeking Pentagon records in order to get the real facts about the incidence of sexual assault in the ranks.
The Pentagon has consistently refused to release records that fully document the problem and how it is handled. Sexual assaults on women in the US military have claimed some degree of visibility, but about male victims there is absolute silence.
Pack Parachute, a non-profit in Seattle, assists veterans who are sexual assault survivors. Its founder Kira Mountjoy-Pepka, was raped as a cadet at the Air Force Academy. In July 2003 she was member of a team of female cadets handpicked by Donald Rumsfeld, at the time the secretary of defense, to tell their stories of having been sexually assaulted. The ensuing media coverage and a Pentagon investigation forced the academy to make the aforementioned major policy changes.
Report reveals alarming statistics
Mountjoy-Pepka often works with male survivors of MST. She stated in a telephone interview that four per cent of men in the military experience MST. "Most choose not to talk about it until after their discharge from the military, largely because the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in over 60 percent of MST cases is too overwhelming," she informed Al Jazeera.
Last week the Pentagon released its "annual report on sexual harassment and violence at the military service academies". At its three academies, the number of reports of sexual assault and harassment has risen a staggering 64 percent from last year.
The report attributes the huge increase to better reporting of incidents due to increased training and education about sexual assault and harassment. Veteran's Administration (VA) statistics show that more than 50 percent of the veterans who screen positive for MST are men.
According to the US Census Bureau, there are roughly 22 million male veterans compared to less than two million female vets.
In Congressional testimony in the summer of 2008, Lt. Gen. Rochelle, the army chief of personnel, reported the little known statistic that 12 percent (approximately 260) of the 2,200 reported rapes in the military in 2007 were reported by military male victims.
Due to their sheer numbers in the military, more men (at a rough estimate one in twenty), have experienced MST than women.
Shamed into silence
Billy Capshaw was 17 when he joined the Army in 1977. After being trained as a medic he was transferred to Baumholder, Germany. His roommate, Jeffrey Dahmer, by virtue of his seniority ensured that Capshaw had no formal assignment, no mail, and no pay. Having completely isolated the young medic, Dahmer regularly sexually assaulted, raped, and tortured him.
Dahmer went on to become the infamous serial killer and sex offender who murdered 17 boys and men before being beaten to death by an inmate at Columbia Correction Institution in 1994.
Capshaw reflects back, "At that young age I didn't know how to deal with it. My commander did not believe me. Nobody helped me, even though I begged and begged and begged."
The debilitating lifelong struggle Capshaw has had to face is common among survivors of military sexual assault.
Later during therapy he needed to go public. Since then he says, "I've talked to a lot of men, many of them soldiers, who are raped but who won't go public with their story. The shame alone is overwhelming."
In 1985 Michael Warren enlisted in the navy and for three years worked as a submarine machinist mate on a nuclear submarine. One day he awoke to find another soldier performing fellatio on him.
He recollects with horror, "I was paralyzed with fear. I was in disbelief... shame. When I reported it to the commander he said it was better for me to deal with it after being discharged. Nobody helped me, not even the chaplain. The commander at the processing centre wouldn't look me in the face. When I filled out my claim later they didn't believe me. It's so frustrating."
Armando Javier was an active duty Marine from 1990 to 1994. He was a Lance Corporal at Camp Lejeune in 1993 when he was raped.
Five Marines jumped Javier and beat him until he was nearly unconscious, before taking turns raping him. His sexual victimization narrative reads, "One of them, a corporal, pulled down my shorts and instructed the others to 'Get the grease'. Another corporal instructed someone to bring the stick. They began to insert the stick inside my anus. The people present during this sadistic and ritual-like ceremony started to cajole, cheer, and laugh, saying "stick em' - stick-em'."
Extreme shame and trauma compelled him not to disclose the crime to anyone except a friend in his unit. He wrote in his account, "My experience left me torn apart physically, mentally, and spiritually. I was dehumanized and treated with ultimate cruelty, by my perpetrators%u2026 I was embarrassed and ashamed and didn't know what to do. I was young at that time. And being part of an elite organization that values brotherhood, integrity and faithfulness made it hard to come forward and reveal what happened."
The reality of being less equal
Women in America were first allowed into the military during the Revolutionary War in 1775 and their travails are as old. Drill instructors indoctrinate new recruits into it at the outset by routinely referring to them as "girl," "pussy," "bitch," and "dyke."
A Command Sergeant Major told Catherine Jayne West of the Mississippi National Guard, "There aren't but two places for women - in the kitchen or in the bedroom. Women have no place in the military."
She was raped by fellow soldier Private First Class Kevin Lemeiux, at the sprawling Camp Anaconda, north of Baghdad. The defense lawyer in court merely wanted to know why, as a member of the army, she had not fought back.
The morning after the rape, an army doctor gave her a thorough examination. The army's criminal investigation team concluded her story was true. Moreover, Lemeiux had bragged about the incident to his buddies and they had turned him in. It seemed like a closed case, but in court the defense claimed that the fact that West had not fought back during the rape was what incriminated her. In addition, her commanding officer and 1st Sergeant declared, in court, that she was a "promiscuous female."
In contrast, Lemeiux, after the third court hearing of the trial, was promoted to a Specialist. Meanwhile his lawyer entered a plea of insanity.
He was later found guilty of kidnapping but not rape, despite his own admission of the crime. He was given three years for kidnapping, half of which was knocked off.
The long term affects of MST
Jasmine Black, a human resources specialist in the Army National Guard from June 2006 to September 2008 was raped by another soldier in her battalion when she was stationed in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She reported it to her Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and the Military Police, but the culprit was not brought to book.
After an early discharge due to MST and treatment at a PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP) facility, she was raped again by a higher-ranking member of the air force in February 2009.
Administrator for a combat engineering instruction unit in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tracey Harmon has no illusions. "For women in the military, you are either a bitch, a dyke, or a whore. If you sleep with one person in your unit you are a whore. If you are a lesbian you are a dyke, and if you don't sleep with other soldiers you are a bitch."
Maricela Guzman served in the navy from 1998 to 2002 as a computer technician on the island of Diego Garcia. She was raped while in boot camp, but fear of consequences kept her from talking about it for the rest of her time in the military. "I survived by becoming a workaholic and was much awarded as a soldier for my work ethic."
On witnessing the way it treated the native population in Diego Garcia, she chose to dissociate from the military. Post discharge, her life became unmanageable. She underwent a divorce, survived a failed suicide attempt and became homeless before deciding to move in with her parents. A chance encounter with a female veteran at a political event in Los Angeles prompted her to contact the VA for help. Her therapist there diagnosed her with PTSD from her rape.
The VA denied her claim nevertheless, "Because they said I couldn't prove it since I had not brought it up when it happened and also because I had not shown any deviant behavior while in the service. I was outraged and felt compelled to talk about what happened."
However, as high as the military's own figures are of rape and sexual assault, victims and advocates Al Jazeera spoke with believe the real figures are sure to be higher.
Veteran April Fitzsimmons, another victim of sexual assault, knows what an uphill battle it is for women to take on the military system. "When victims come forward, they are ostracized and isolated from their communities. Many of the perpetrators are officers who use their ranks to coerce women to sleep with them. It's a closely interwoven community, so they are safe and move fearlessly amongst their victims."
Her advice to women considering joining the US military?
"The crisis is so severe that I'm telling women to simply not join the military because it's completely unsafe and puts them at risk. Until something changes at the top, no woman should join the military."
Research support was provided by the Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute
America's Dirty Little Secret: Male on Male Military Sexual Trauma
Thousands of men have been raped by other men while serving in the military. It's something that the U.S. Marine Corp and Navy flatly refuses to even acknowledge. The statistics in the articles below represent 50% of our Armed Forces due to the denial of the problem. After listening to the NOW story Public Television last night about our service women being victims of rape by male soldiers, I thought about veterans I've known who have been subject to rape as well. So I went searching on the Internet this morning and found the following great articles. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Boston Globe Sexual assault in the shadows
Male victims in military cite devastating impact on career, life
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The call came shortly after dinner on a raw night this winter. Mark Partridge sprang to the phone, eager to talk to his 20-year-old son, Brian, who had been based for more than a year on the USS Ardent, a minesweeper patrolling the Persian Gulf. Fulfilling a childhood dream to follow his father into service, it had been a moment of triumph when Brian landed a berth on the sleek gray ship. But what his father now heard on the other end of the line was anything but triumphant. His only child was nearly hysterical, on the brink of tears. "Dad, I've been raped," the young man shouted, as both men recall it. "There's blood all over the place." "Who did this?" demanded his father. "Where is he?" "I don't know," said Partridge, standing in the apartment of the man he says assaulted him. "I beat him up bad." "Go to the base security," his father commanded. "Right now." Partridge did just that. And then, almost immediately, he found himself caught in a legal labyrinth: Partridge's account met mounting skepticism from military investigators, and he soon faced charges himself -- a familiar pattern, according to other servicemen who have alleged abuse and some counselors who treat them. In the end, humiliated and terrified of what might await him in the brig, Partridge agreed to an other-than-honorable discharge, abandoning his military career. His case is unusual only in that he is talking about it. At a time when sexual assaults on women in uniform -- from the Air Force Academy to Iraq -- have scandalized the public and put the Pentagon on the defensive, the troubling incidence of sex crimes against men in the service has languished in the shadows, comparatively unremarked. It is well-populated shade. A Pentagon study of sexual assault in the military released in May found that 9 percent of the 2,012 reported victims of sexual assault in the armed forces in 2002 and 2003 were men. Most said they were assaulted by fellow servicemen. Those figures include 118 service members, some of them men, who say they were sexually assaulted during the current conflict. In addition, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has found more men than women reporting that they experienced unwanted sexual attention during their service years -- from rape to verbal harassment. In fiscal year 2003, for example, 10,693 male veterans told the VA they had experienced such treatment, compared with 9,348 women. The gender gap between those totals isn't surprising; far more men than women are served by the VA. Still, the sheer number of men who raise this issue with the VA screeners hints at the magnitude of the issue the military confronts. "This is a subject that has been vastly overlooked," said US Representative Louise M. Slaughter, Democrat of New York, and a strong advocate for sexual assault victims in the armed services. "I don't think any of us think of men as being rape victims, and certainly the military does not. I suspect men are quiet about it, because they want to preserve their career in the military." The US Department of Defense declined to discuss the incidence of sexual assaults on men or how the armed services are addressing the issue. But the department did express concern that the number of male rapes may be underreported. "We recognize that sexual assaults are seriously underreported," said Charles S. Abell, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, in a statement, "and we have no reason to doubt that it is even more so in the case of male victims." The Globe interviewed eight men who said they were victims of sexual assault while in the military. While four of them said they never reported the offenses during their time in service, the other four said they did and wound up facing penalties themselves. One, a former US Marine who said he was beaten and sexually assaulted in 1975 while in basic training, said he was dubbed a "training failure" after he complained and was required to leave the service. Another, a Boston man who said he was raped while in basic training in the Army in 1978, was fined for an offense he says his commander never specified. Partridge was apparently the only one of the eight whose alleged assailant faced charges. All of the men were reluctant to be named, in part out of fear that going public could jeopardize their VA benefits, in part out of embarrassment or shame. For if male rape is a topic that causes squeamishness in civilian society, it is, the men say, nearly taboo in the overwhelmingly male and hierarchical culture of the military, where two men having sex remains a crime. In the end, only four of the eight would consent to be quoted by name. Met with disbeliefPetty Officer 3d Class Brian Partridge says he did precisely what a rape victim in the military is supposed to do. After hanging up with his father, he called his superior officer and remained in the apartment until two officers from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service arrived. He told them that after a night of drinking with other sailors at several local bars, he returned to the apartment of one of them for the night because the base curfew had passed. Shortly after he went to sleep in the guest bed, he woke up to find his friend sexually assaulting him. Partridge, a slender man with trim blond hair, said he threw off his assailant and, enraged, beat him until the other man fled. The following day, Partridge was questioned again at length. But this time, he said, the investigating officers did not seem to believe him. "They were making sly comments. They asked me three or four times if I was sure I wasn't gay, which I most definitely am not," Partridge said. "They were just not listening to me." Several weeks later, Partridge said, his story had been "completely turned around" by investigators, and he was given a choice: admit to participating in consensual sodomy and to beating up the other man, or face court-martial on both counts. If convicted, he would probably have received a prison sentence and dishonorably discharged. Partridge decided to accept what he and his father concluded was "the lesser of two evils." In March, he admitted to the charges and received an other-than-honorable discharge. Now living with his parents, he recently started work on a construction site. Lieutenant Christopher Servello, a spokesman for the US Navy, said the other sailor was charged with an offense in lieu of a court-martial and discharged. Servello would not say what the charge was or what kind of discharge the sailor received. The sailor could not be reached by the Globe. Although Partridge authorized the release of his military records, the Navy declined to provide them to the Globe. Servello said that Partridge's naval attorney and his sexual assault counselor were unwilling to be interviewed. But one naval official, in a letter to US Representative John N. Hostettler of Indiana, who looked into the matter at Partridge's request, said that service investigators "determined that the alleged sexual assault was actually a case of consensual sodomy." For Mark Partridge, a Navy veteran himself, the outcome has been shattering. Devastated by the emotional storm that engulfed their only child, he and his wife separated for four months before reuniting in July. But he wonders whether his son will ever recover. "They ruined him for life, you know," declared the elder Partridge. "What happens to you when they throw you out and make you look like the dirty guy? How do you explain any of this to an employer? How do you explain any of it at all?" And then he cried. Culture of aggressionMale victims in the service tend to be young, often newcomers to the deck or the field. Some have experienced personal misfortune, such as a previous incidence of abuse or the breakup of their family, and may project vulnerability, according to therapists who work with them. But because so few cases are reported, little more is known about why some men in uniform become victims of sexual assault. Like rape of any kind, male-on-male assault is viewed by specialists as, in most cases, an act of power, not sexuality. Only about 2 to 5 percent of the men assaulted in the military are believed to be homosexual, according to estimates by some therapists. The therapists know less about the perpetrators; they rarely have clinical contact with them. But some believe that aspects of military culture may abet sexual abuses. "Sexual assault in the military goes back to the beginning of time and mostly of men," said John Carracher, a clinical psychologist with the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., who works with men who have been sexually assaulted. "The culture itself contributes to all forms of aggression, and that includes rape." Still, there is little, if any, evidence that male-on-male rape is more common in the armed services than in civilian society. The finding of the 2004 Pentagon Task Force Report on Care For Victims of Sexual Assault -- that 9 percent of those alleging sexual assault are men -- falls in the midrange of similar surveys outside the military. While the surveys cannot be compared directly, the US Department of Justice's National Violence Agains
Sunday, February 13, 2011
New youtube video about MST by M.E.N.D.
Thanks to the staff of volunteers we were able to do a short video about Male MST please also remember to join us on Facebook and to visit our web page at M.E.N.D. 4 MALE SURVIVORS OF MST
Our staff will be in Washington DC on Tuesday when Susan Burke, a highly regarded Washington DC based attorney is to file a class action lawsuit to change how the U.S. military deals with rape and sexual assault committed by its personnel. The suit will ask for damages as well as changes in the military’s practices. As Burke puts it, “You shouldn’t have to agree to be raped in order to sign up and serve your country.”
Our staff will be in Washington DC on Tuesday when Susan Burke, a highly regarded Washington DC based attorney is to file a class action lawsuit to change how the U.S. military deals with rape and sexual assault committed by its personnel. The suit will ask for damages as well as changes in the military’s practices. As Burke puts it, “You shouldn’t have to agree to be raped in order to sign up and serve your country.”
Saturday, February 5, 2011
I am so Blessed
Well its a little after midnight here is the great little town of Bradley Beach New Jersey I am so happy to have a great person to talk too about my MST and my road of rediscovery. I just found out on Thursday I was lucky that I was sent to this great person I was blessed. I was told how hard it is to find the help I now get and how many male and female MST survivors have just given up and live with it. Thanks be to God for all he sends my way. This Art work was done for M.E.N.D 4 MALE MST SURVIVORS By A great friend and fellow Veteran Gerald Wingman Green http://www.facebook.com/friends/edit/#!/MachSpeedWingman
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Finding and Choosing a Therapist My story and hints from the VA
When I got my C-file 20 plus years later I started having flash back dreams about the Rape and I then became very depressed and called the Suicide Hotlines: Thats were I started my MST rediscover. So now I had to get help well it was not easy first the rape center I was sent to was for Women who were sexually assault and domestic violence and they said in their info that they worked with women, men and children after 3 visits I was told that the Director said the women did not like a man in the waiting room and I would have to find someone else. I think it was more about no insurance or money. I was talking to my VA doctor and he said to go to the VA mental health clinic in Brick NJ. My trip to Brick was hard for me first I had to get a appointment with the Mental Health Clinic which was very stressful for me as when I was in Basic Training I was sent to the Mental Health Clinic for a break down from being sick and my rape. I made it to Mental Health and thanks to a great staff I felt welcome and my therapist and
psychiatrist were straight with me that they were not the best people to deal with Military Sexual Trauma which is a event not a disorder and that every VA medical center has a Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator to oversee the screening and treatment referral process so my psychiatrist placed a call to the VA medical center in East Orange NJ who then had her call the VA medical center at Lions NJ and after 20 minutes with no help she said she would call the VA medical center in Bay Pines Fla and let me know at my next visit she started me on meds for PTSD; and other anxiety disorders; Depression and other mood disorders. When I went back to her she gave me the telephone number at Bay Pines and said good luck! as she was still waiting for a answer I called that day and a very nice social worker gave me the number for the MST Coordinator at Lions and East Orange who referred me to the Vet Center in Bloomfield NJ which is about a hour and a half from my home. I started to go to a therapist but do to many factors it was not working for me. The Vet Center opened a new center in Lakewood NJ which is about 15 minutes from my home and I started with a new therapist there in Oct 2010 I have made great progress with this therapist and now also have group therapy for male survivors. Sorry I tend to be long winded what I was trying to say is you have to find who is right for you. Here is some info from the VA website Finding and Choosing a Therapist
psychiatrist were straight with me that they were not the best people to deal with Military Sexual Trauma which is a event not a disorder and that every VA medical center has a Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator to oversee the screening and treatment referral process so my psychiatrist placed a call to the VA medical center in East Orange NJ who then had her call the VA medical center at Lions NJ and after 20 minutes with no help she said she would call the VA medical center in Bay Pines Fla and let me know at my next visit she started me on meds for PTSD; and other anxiety disorders; Depression and other mood disorders. When I went back to her she gave me the telephone number at Bay Pines and said good luck! as she was still waiting for a answer I called that day and a very nice social worker gave me the number for the MST Coordinator at Lions and East Orange who referred me to the Vet Center in Bloomfield NJ which is about a hour and a half from my home. I started to go to a therapist but do to many factors it was not working for me. The Vet Center opened a new center in Lakewood NJ which is about 15 minutes from my home and I started with a new therapist there in Oct 2010 I have made great progress with this therapist and now also have group therapy for male survivors. Sorry I tend to be long winded what I was trying to say is you have to find who is right for you. Here is some info from the VA website Finding and Choosing a Therapist
Listed below are resources to help you choose and locate a therapist who is right for you. A professional who works well with one person may not be a good choice for another person. A special section for Veterans is included.
Finding a therapist
There are many ways to find a therapist. You can start by asking friends and family if they can recommend anyone. Make sure the therapist has skills in treating trauma survivors.
Another way to locate a therapist is to make some phone calls. When you call, say that you are trying to find a provider who specializes in effective treatment for PTSD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Contact your local mental health agency or family doctor.
- Call your state psychological association
- Call the psychology department at a local college
- Call the National Center for Victims of Crime's toll-free information and referral service at begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-FYI-CALL end_of_the_skype_highlighting. This service uses agencies from across the country that support crime victims.1-800-FYI-CALL
- If you work for a large company, call the human resources office to see if they make referrals.
- If you are a member of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), call to find out about mental health services.
Some mental health services are listed in the phone book. In the blue Government pages, look in the "County Government Offices" section. In that section, look for "Health Services (Dept. of)" or "Department of Health Services." Then in that section, look under "Mental Health."
In the yellow pages, therapists are listed under "counseling," "psychologists," "social workers," "psychotherapists," "social and human services," or "mental health."
Information can also be found using the Internet. You may find a list of therapists in your area. Some lists include the therapists' areas of practice. Listed below are some suggested websites:
- Center for Mental Health Services Locator. This services locator is on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. The site also provides a Frequently Asked Questions about mental health.
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America* offers a referral network. begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (240) 485-1001 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.(240) 485-1001
- ABCT Find a Therapist Service*. The Association for Advancement of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT, formerly AABT) maintains a database of therapists.
- Sidran* offers a referral list of therapists, as well as a fact sheet on how to choose a therapist for PTSD and dissociative disorders. begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (410) 825-8888 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. (410) 825-8888
Your health insurance may pay for mental health services. Also, some services are available at low cost according to your ability to pay.
Help for Veterans
VA Medical Centers and Vet Centers provide Veterans with mental health services. These services may cost little or nothing, according to a Veteran's benefits and ability to pay. Following discharge after deployment to a combat zone, you should enroll for VA services. You are then qualified for care for conditions that may be related to your service.
VA PTSD Program Locator: Use this online tool to find a PTSD Treatment program or VA PTSD treatment specialist at a VA facility near you. You can also go online to read more about services at Vet Centers.
Other resources include:
- The VA Health Benefits Service Center toll free at begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-877-222-VETS end_of_the_skype_highlighting1-877-222-VETS
- The Vet Centers' national number begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-905-4675 end_of_the_skype_highlighting1-800-905-4675
- VA Mental Health for Returning Veterans
- VA Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF) Page
- My HealtheVet
VA Medical Centers and Vet Centers are listed in the phone book. In the blue Government pages, look under "United States Government Offices." Then look for "Veterans Affairs, Dept of." In that section, look under "Medical Care" and "Vet Centers - Counseling and Guidance."
Finding a support group
The National Center for PTSD does not provide PTSD support groups. Many local VA Medical Centers have various types of groups. Listed below is information on how to find support groups online or in your area.
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America* offers a self-help group network.
- National Alliance for Mental Illness* (NAMI) has a website with information for those with mental illness. You may also find family support groups in different states.
- About.com's PTSD Forum* An online discussion forum.
Choosing a therapist
There are a many things to consider in choosing a therapist. Some practical issues are location, cost, and what insurance the therapist accepts. Other issues include the therapist's background, training, and the way he or she works with people.
Some people meet with a few therapists before deciding which one to work with. Most, however, try to see someone known in their area. Then they go with that person unless a problem occurs. Either way, here is a list of questions you may want to ask a possible therapist.
- What is your education? Are you licensed? How many years have you been practicing?
- What are your special areas of practice?
- Have you ever worked with people who have been through trauma? Do you have any special training in PTSD treatment?
- What kinds of PTSD treatments do you use? Have they been proven effective for dealing with my kind of problem or issue?
- What are your fees? (Fees are usually based on a 45-minute to 50-minute session.) Do you have any discounted fees? How much therapy would you recommend?
- What types of insurance do you accept? Do you file insurance claims? Do you contract with any managed care organizations? Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid insurance?
Who is available to provide therapy?
There are many types of professionals who can provide therapy for trauma issues. Below we describe some of the most common of these professionals.
Clinical Psychologists
Psychologists are trained in the area of human behavior. Clinical psychologists focus on mental health assessment and treatment. Psychologists use scientifically proven methods to help people change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Licensed Psychologists have doctoral degrees (PhD, PsyD, EdD). Their graduate training is in clinical, counseling, or school psychology. In addition to their graduate study, licensed psychologists must have another 1 to 2 years of supervised clinical experience. A license is granted after passing an exam given by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Psychologists have the title of "doctor," but they cannot prescribe medicine.
Clinical Social Workers
The purpose of social work is to enhance human well-being. Social workers help meet the basic human needs of all people. They help people manage the forces around them that contribute to problems in living.
Certified social workers have a master's degree or doctoral degree in social work (MSW, DSW, or PhD). To be licensed, clinical social workers must pass an exam given by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).
Master's Level Clinicians
Master's Level Clinicians have a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or marriage and family therapy (MA, MFT). They have at least 2 years of training beyond the 4-year college degree. To be licensed, master's level clinicians must meet requirements that vary by state.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists have a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD). After they complete 4 years of medical school, they must have 3 to 4 years of residency training. Board certified psychiatrists have also passed written and oral exams given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Since they are medical doctors, psychiatrists can prescribe medicine. Some also provide psychotherapy.
Till next time remember what Winston Churchill said
"IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL, KEEP GOING"
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