Providing Medical Care to Survivors of Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Military

Abstract

Experiences of sexual assault and harassment during military service can have a profound impact on survivors’ health and healthcare needs. Fortunately, medical professionals can provide strong support for survivors’ recovery by helping to ensure that the full scope of their healthcare needs is addressed, by adapting care to be sensitive to the ways sexual assault and harassment may affect their experiences of healthcare, and by facilitating reparative experiences that stand in opposition to the devaluing, powerlessness, and helplessness that likely characterized their experiences of sexual assault or harassment. In service of this, this chapter provides an overview of key issues to consider when providing medical care to survivors of military sexual assault and harassment, including: (1) definitions, prevalence, and elements involving gender-based violence; (2) unique aspects of military sexual assault and harassment relative to other potentially traumatic experiences; (3) the impact of these experiences on survivors, including commonly associated conditions and effects on healthcare needs; (4) strategies for addressing this impact in a trauma-sensitive manner; and (5) key resources and ways to learn more. We hope that readers find this chapter both a helpful introduction to the topic and an accessible reference to guide their ongoing care for survivors.