Increasing understanding of the barriers to military-sexual-trauma-related reporting and treatment seeking in Canada

Military sexual trauma (MST) can cause many mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Yet many people who experienced MST do not report what happened to them, do not seek mental health treatment, or drop out of treatment. Through experiences in an MST-specific community of practice, the authors heard many reasons why people do not report or do not seek treatment, including 1) feeling betrayed by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and other military members, 2) not understanding what treatments are available, and 3) not knowing exactly what MST means. Knowing why people do not report MST or seek mental health treatment can help the CAF and treatment providers make changes to support people who experienced MST. As of 2019, 57% of military sexual trauma (MST) incidents among Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force members went unreported. There is reason to believe many military members and Veterans affected by MST forgo, delay, or drop out of MST-related care. To support those affected by MST, barriers to reporting MST and obtaining MST-related mental health treatment must be understood. Understanding these barriers can provide clarity and direction for military organizations and treatment providers on how to best support those affected by MST, as well as help them obtain needed services. En 2019, 57 % des incidents causant un traumatisme sexuel dans le cadre du service militaire chez les membres de la Force reguliere des Forces armees canadiennes n'ont pas ete signales. Il y a des raisons de croire que beaucoup de militaires et de veteran(e)s souffrant d'un traumatisme sexuel dans le cadre de leur service renoncent aux soins afferents, les retardent ou les abandonnent. Pour soutenir les personnes touchees par un traumatisme sexuel dans le cadre du service militaire, il faut comprendre ce qui fait obstacle a la declaration du traumatisme sexuel et a l'obtention d'un traitement approprie en sante mentale. La comprehension de ces obstacles peut fournir des eclaircissements et des orientations aux organisations militaires et aux fournisseurs de soins sur les meilleurs moyens de soutenir les personnes souffrant de ce genre de traumatisme et de les aider a obtenir les services dont elles ont besoin.