Military Sexual Trauma is 'Persistently Prevalent'

Military sexual trauma (MST) remained “persistently prevalent” between 2013 and 2026, experiencing a slight overall increase from 7.6% to 8.2% in the time period, according to a research letter written by researchers from Yale University and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System and published in JAMA Psychiatry. Prevalence among female veterans jumped from 32.4% to 43.3%, with many citing MST as a factor in their decision to leave military service earlier than planned.

The researchers analyzed data from 3 independent nationally representative cohorts of veterans surveyed as part of the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. In 2025 and 2026, 189 veterans reported sexual harassment and 80 veterans reported sexual assault. Among female veterans, 128 (42.7%) reported harassment and 55 (21.2%) reported assault; 61 male veterans (3.6%) reported harassment and 25 (1.4%) reported assault. 

Many veterans experienced multiple MSTs. In 2025 and 2026, 61 women and 23 men reported 2 or 3 occurrences of MST, and 57 (42 women, 15 men) reported ≥ 4 occurrences. Most indicated ≥ 1 MST occurrence was perpetrated by a higher-ranking military member. Women were more likely to report ≥ 2 MST occurrences and MST perpetrated by a higher-ranking military member, according to the letter.

MST can have potentially disproportionate consequences for women in terms of military workforce composition, leadership representation, and long-term force readiness, the researchers say. Findings based on 2024 national veteran population data suggest that roughly 1 in 6 women and 1 in 100 men will leave military service after MST. 

History of MST has been independently associated with elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, including future suicidal intent. In this study, compared with veterans without MST, those with MST had nearly triple the rates of past-year suicidal ideation and > 4 times the rates of lifetime suicide attempt. They were also significantly more likely to indicate future suicidal intent (6.9% vs 1.2%). Predicted probabilities of suicidal ideation (34.2% vs 28.3%) and suicide attempt (18.5% vs 13.4%) were significantly higher among females than males.

Female service members who experienced MST are also nearly 3 times more likely to have moderate to severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, compared with female service members who did not experience MST. Women veterans who report MST and have PTSD are also more likely to have comorbid mental health diagnoses, including major depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. 

The researchers claim the research is the first nationally representative characterization of MST contextual features and updated estimates of treatment utilization. They found that fewer than half of survivors received MST-related treatment.

In 2021, President Biden directed the US Department of Defense to establish the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC). An overview of the IRC commission findings underscored the need for screening. The increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, it says, makes “integration of crosscutting prevention initiatives within MST care and suicide prevention at VA” critical. 

The Veterans Health Administration universal MST screening program is part of a web of MST-related services. Analysis of medical record data demonstrates that the program yields clinically meaningful information, and increases the likelihood of mental health treatment. Despite the barriers to care for all MST survivors noted in qualitative studies, the commission report says, quantitative research agrees that veterans with a positive MST screen are more likely to engage in health care in VA.