BUDDY-TO-BUDDY VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL April 11-12, 2016 Buddy-to-Buddy is a peer-to-peer outreach program that trains veterans to provide peer support and linkage to needed resources for Michigan Post-9/11 service members and veterans. Visit us at www.buddytobuddy.org or reach us at buddytobuddyvvp@umich.edu or 1-888-82-BUDDY. Every week, Buddy-to-Buddy holds Support Calls for its 120+ volunteers, sharing resources and bringing guest speakers to provide information on topics of interest and available services.
Guest Speaker Presentation
MST Coordinator Guest Speaker Edward Thomas MST Coordinator, Ann Arbor VA 734-845-5278 Edward.thomas7@va.gov Guest Speaker Summary Military Sexual Trauma: An Overview o Military Sexual Trauma (MST): Term used by the VA to refer to sexual assault or repeated threatening sexual harassment that a veteran experienced during their military service Assault of a sexual nature: The threatening of a victim – usually verbal. Although assault does not include the actual touching of the victim, the victim believes that they are being threatened and in danger of being harmed. h Battery of a sexual nature: The actual harming of the individual – either physical or verbal. Sexual harassment: Repeated unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character. Unwanted sexual touching or grabbing Threatening, offensive remarks about a person’s body or sexual activities Threatening and unwelcome sexual advances Gender harassment: putting someone down because of their gender
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program
www.buddytobuddy.org
Sexual coercion: implying special treatment in return for sexual favors Sexual assault: any sort of sexual activity in which someone is involved against his or her will. This occurs when someone is: Coerced into participation (i.e., with threats) Not capable of consenting to participation (i.e., when intoxicated) Physically forced into participation Sexual assault also includes: unwanted touching or grabbing Unwanted oral sex Unwanted sexual penetration with an object How Common is MST? o VA’s national MST surveillance data indicates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 100 men respond “yes” to having experienced MST o Even though MST is far more frequent in women, 54% of all VA patients who screen positive for MST are men. Males with positive MST screens are more likely to be diagnosed with mental health and physical health problems. Impact of MST o Most people have symptoms in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event o Some people go on to have longer-term problems/concerns o Physiological Symptoms: Body sensitized to threat Disrupted memory/cognitive processing o Emotional Symptoms: Intense feelings that are difficult to contain Normal regulatory systems overwhelmed o Cognitive Symptoms: Disrupts beliefs about self Alters how one thinks about others and the world o Associated Physical Concerns (Female) Headache Chronic abdominal and pelvic pain Sexual dysfunction Insomnia Dizziness and weakness Obesity Generalized anxiety Depression Eating disorders o Associated Physical Concerns (Male) Nightmares/Sleep disturbances Chronic somatic symptoms Eating disorders Self abuse Self-blame Addictive behaviors
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program
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PTSD Sexual compulsions Interpersonal difficulties Perceived Barriers to Care o Stigma Shame/Embarrassment Privacy Sensitivity and reaction Fear of not being believed o Sexual trauma is an interpersonal trauma Rape Myths o “In reality, women are almost never raped by their boyfriends/partners.” o “If a woman doesn’t physically fight back, you can’t really say it was rape.” o “A woman that “teases” men deserves anything that happens.” o “If a woman is raped while she is drinks, she is at least somewhat responsible for lettings things get out of control.” o “It is impossible to rape a man.” o “Men who are raped are to blame for not escaping or fighting off the rapist.” Goals of MST Programs at VA o Outreach interventions – goal is for survivors of MST to know: Who to go to for help Where to get assistance How to get engaged in care o Improving patient-provider communication o Creating a setting that facilitates disclosure to improve healing after trauma o To ensure inclusivity when rolling out services o To provide a welcoming, open, and supportive environment o To take survivors’ stories at face value – they don’t have to prove themselves
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program
www.buddytobuddy.org