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Washington DC VA Medical Center Supports Military Sexual Trauma Survivors

Wellness Wednesday featuring Dr. Tsila Kirsh, PhD. Kirsh is a clinical psychologist and the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator at the DC VA Medical Center.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the Washington DC VA Medical Center is raising awareness of services available to Veterans who experienced sexual assault or harassment while serving.

The VA refers to any sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred during military service as Military Sexual Trauma, or MST, and offers compassionate, comprehensive care to all MST survivors. This year’s campaign promotes the message: We believe you, and we believe in you.

“It can be tremendously healing for MST survivors to learn that someone recognizes they have experienced trauma, validates their experiences, and believes in their ability to heal with the right tools and support,” said Washington DC VA Medical Center MST Coordinator and Clinical Psychologist, Tsila Hirsh, PhD.

The VA provides treatment for physical and mental health conditions related to MST free of charge to all Veterans, even service members who were discharged under less than honorable conditions. Veterans do not need to have a service-connected disability or be eligible to receive health care from the VA, to seek VA treatment for MST. Additionally, no prior reporting or documentation of the incident is necessary and there are no time limits on receiving care.

Healing after MST can take time and the VA is strongly committed to ensuring that survivors have access to the help that they need to recover. The VA provides care for MST survivors in the following ways:

  • A designated MST Coordinator is available at every VA health care system to help individuals find and access VA services and programs.
  • VA health care providers ask every Veteran whether he or she experienced MST because they recognize that many survivors do not disclose their experiences unless directly asked.
  • MST-related services are available at every VA medical center and MST-related counseling is also available through community-based Vet Centers.
  • Services are designed to meet Veterans where they are already at in their recovery, whether that is focusing on strategies for coping with challenging emotions and memories or talking about their MST experiences in depth.
  • Veterans who need more intense treatment and support can receive specialized sexual trauma treatment in residential or inpatient settings nationwide.
  • To accommodate Veterans who do not feel comfortable in mixed-gender treatment settings, some facilities have separate programs for men and women.
  • All residential and inpatient MST programs have separate sleeping areas for men and women.

Because every situation is unique, Kirsh said the VA will tailor treatments to meet each survivor’s needs and preferences.

“This month and throughout the year, we will continue to reach out and to help survivors navigate their own path toward healing, no matter how long it’s been since they experienced MST or how it’s affecting them now,” said Kirsh. “We will let them know that VA is here for them.”

To receive MST care, Veterans can speak with their existing VA health care provider, contact the MST Coordinator at their nearest VA medical center, or contact their local Vet Center. For a list of VA or Vet centers located around the Maryland, Virginia, and DC area, click here.

Veterans can learn more about VA’s MST-related services online here.

The VA’s Beyond MST app offers coping strategies and tips on improving life after MST from other survivors.