We are survivors and advocates committed to ending the silence around Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and ending it for good. Through our podcast, outreach efforts to let survivors know they’re not alone, and educating the public about the realities of MST, we created spaces where survivors are heard, believed, and supported. We believe that ending MST for good can only be accomplished by real accountability efforts targeting those that lead the institutions that failed us.

Military sexual trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service. Military sexual trauma can happen to anyone. It can happen on base, during training, overseas, or even while off duty. Your rank, age, gender, capacity for physical strength, religion or the belief that it could never happen to you will not stop MST from happening to you.

It is a systemic failure deeply embedded in military culture, where abusers are often protected and survivors are silenced, retaliated against, or left to suffer alone. Our podcast shares firsthand survivor accounts of what it is like to experience MST, with some stories going as far back as the 1970’s. These deeply personal stories also describe what it is like to wrestle with deciding to report, trying to receive care or mask your body’s reaction to trauma, and what navigating life as a veteran is like after separating from service.

Simply put… Congress does. Our elected officials, especially those on committees that oversee the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, have the authority to demand investigations, withhold funding, initiate hearings, and shape laws that protect (or fail) survivors. But most won’t act unless their constituents speak up.

And that’s where you come in.

This toolkit is one of the best methods of making a difference in the lives of service members and veterans, even if you’ve never stepped foot on a military installation or met a veteran.

You can email, call, or meet with your representatives using the scripts, templates, and contact guides inside.

Your voice, especially when joined with others, can shift policy and force the spotlight onto institutions that prefer to pretend there is no problem and continue operate in silence.

Whether you’re a survivor, a family member, an ally, or just discovered our show and feel compelled to act, you have power.

The more people who reach out, the harder we are to ignore. The kit comes with instructions on how to document how many times you have reached out to lawmakers and their responses.

They don’t get to leave those who protect us unprotected any longer.

In using this toolkit, you get to be instrumental in saying that straight to their faces.

Here’s the thing. When you’ve gone through a betrayal like MST, it’s like being Humpty Dumpty. Remember how in the nursery rhyme, all the king’s horses and men couldn’t put the egg back together again?

Well, victims and survivors are constantly bombarded with memories, stigma, triggers, and trouble sleeping along with many other mental or physical health issues while trying to cope with MST. The guests that we have on our show are, for the most part, in the advocacy part of their journey. But a large number of MST survivors are just trying to get through the day, get to their medical appointments, or possibly not ready or able to recognize what happened.

In being cognizant of the ups and downs of MST, we understand that some of the best advocates for survivors are their loved ones, nonprofits and advocacy groups, and people who have stumbled upon our podcast or YouTube channel and feel compelled to act on behalf of those who serve.

When survivors reach the space where they’re ready to advocate, they will 100% let you know. So it’s best not to pressure anyone to speak before they’re ready. They don’t owe you, or anyone, their story or lives’ experiences.

Remember: Your voice is just as valid as their when speaking to lawmakers.

If you’re a survivor, and you’ve reached the point of being ready to speak, we are so proud of you. We have several worksheets and resources for you to help process and shape what you’d like to say.

If you’re a survivor, and you’re not quite there yet, we are here for you and encourage you to not give up on yourself. You don’t ever have to speak up, but we encourage healing on your terms. We also have resources if you’re ready to begin your therapy journey but aren’t sure where to start.