Concord, N.H. – Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade, and co-lead of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Caucus, marked September 25 as Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day by helping to introduce a bipartisan resolution underscoring the urgent need to confront the issue of military sexual trauma (MST), which affects both women and men within the Armed Forces.
“We owe it to every patriot who serves in America’s Armed Forces to create the conditions for military service without fear of abuse of any kind,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “That’s why I am proud to be part of this bipartisan coalition in Congress committed to tackling the scourge of military sexual trauma head-on and delivering the care and justice that every survivor of this scourge needs and deserves.”
Read the full resolution here.
Statistics indicate that approximately one in three women and one in 50 men are impacted by sexual trauma while serving. Military sexual trauma encompasses sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurs during military service. It can result in increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, physical health issues, and an increased risk of suicide. It affects not only the servicemember but overall military readiness, and the resolution encourages the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to address the root causes of military sexual trauma and continue efforts to expand access to treatment for active duty servicemembers and veterans.
Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her life to service and is a fierce advocate for protecting the brave Americans in our Armed Forces from sexual abuse. Earlier this year, she sent a letter with her colleagues to Defense Secretary Hegseth demanding answers regarding the pause of military Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) training programs. In the letter, she stressed that pausing or terminating these trainings is irresponsible, dangerous, and illegal.
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