Sufferer Military sexual assault survivor, new here and wanted to say hi

[Drake]

I am now in my 50's and for the first time I spoke briefly of my sexual trauma with my counselor who suggested finding a site like this I felt comfortable with to interact with others to know I am not alone. I have been reading threads from MyPTSD for some time and have found comfort in seeing the support you give to one another here. I was sexually assaulted while in the Navy (mid 80's) in a time it was not talked about and victims where ignored or their claims rejected and brushed off as a homosexual trouble maker in the interest of saving face for the military. I never said any thing for fear of what would happen if I did. I have held this in for many years and it has totally destroyed me as a person, so I thought, but I was wrong. I am a survivor and hope to continue with my progresses as I move forward. I say hi to of you, from one survivor to another.

 

[ILoveLife]

Hi and welcome :) Hope you find as much support here as I did.

 

[Joan]

Welcome to the forum. Great job speaking up with T and in reaching out here. Hope you find the support here you are looking for.

 

[Muted]

Welcome @Drake , I hope you find the support you need here. It does help to communicate with others who understand. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

It grieves me greatly that our own military didn't provide a safe support system to protect our own against domestic perpetrators. Our own soldiers should be protected at all costs.

Currently many communities and organizations are the same. It took me a long time to report it, but now I wish that I wouldn't have. It causes more pain to have the courage to finally speak up and then nothing happens and they end up sweeping it under the rug for the sake of 'covering their own butts'.

This happened to me and I feel more powerless and helpless here still many years later. People in power are often clueless and will put the victim through hell and stand behind the perpetrator.

Since when did we become a country who doesn't prioritize loyally protect our own regardless of the organization? I guess they don't care until it becomes their own mother, wife or daughter. Then is when they experience the torture and see the destruction that ripples through generations. Sexual Assault has a lasting impact especially when it isn't properly handled.

 

[Drake]

It is a travesty and in my mind a crime when victims become the bad guy/girl for having the courage to come forward and speak up about such a grave violation only to surfer even more at the hands of the ones we was taught from an early age to turn to for help, justice and some sense of closure. I kept telling my self it never happened and I blocked it out all these year and engaging in very reckless behavior which only caused more problems as if being gang raped wasn't enough. I find it gets a tiny bit easier every time I talk about it with my counselor, who I have to say has been very supportive and patient with me. Thank you to all who replied. UNITED WE STAND as survivors is what I feel we should all live by, because that is what we are. My the best of your past be the worst or your future. Keep smiling everyone

 

[The Albatross]

Military sexual trauma was part of my story, but I was already likely a PTSD before I'd enlisted. That was though '79-83... and it is good that attitudes, however slow about identifying it as an issue is happening.

Welcome.