MST is unique because of the environment in which it occurs. Reporting experiences of MST can be extremely difficult because of this.
The military is all encompassing for service personnel – they rely on it for employment, housing and amenities, and often social support for both themselves and their families. The chain of command also provides a structure and hierarchy across daily life.
Those who have been bullied, harassed or assaulted may have been required to work, socialise and live alongside their aggressors. Some women veterans have said that they feared or experienced negative consequences for themselves or their careers should they disclose MST. Some have said that a lack of privacy was also a concern, and that they did not have faith in the structures in place should a disclosure be made. All these factors may contribute to why women veterans may not disclose instances of MST.
(SOURCES: Herriott et al., 2023; Hendrikx et al., 2021; Campbell et al., 2023)
