Military Sexual Trauma

Steve Scher
05/09/2007 at 9:00 a.m.

As routine, the VA asks all veterans who seek medical treatment whether they've been sexually harassed or assaulted during their service. Since 2002, 114,475 say they have. Today we'll hear from a therapist and a survivor. Free treatment is available, but does the military do enough to stop it from happening in the first place? Congress created the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office at the Department of Defense to deal with the problem. Is it working?

Guests:
Christine Hansen is the executive director of the Miles Foundation. The Miles Foundation advocates for victims of sexual violence in the military.
Tracy Simpson is a clinical psychologist. She co-directs the Women's Trauma and Recovery Center at the Seattle Veteran's Adminitration.
Erynn Laurie is one of Tracy Simpson's clients. She joined the Navy when she was 17 and served from 1979–1982. She was raped and sexually harrassed during her time in the Navy. She lives off of a disability pension from the VA. Lysbeth Spence is Senior Policy Advisor on Victim Services for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office at the Department of Defense.