title: Military sexual trauma among US servicewomen during deployment: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We explored qualitatively US servicewomen's experiences with and perceptions of military sexual trauma (MST), reporting, and related services.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2011 to January 2012, we conducted 22 telephone interviews with US servicewomen deployed overseas between 2002 and 2011. We analyzed data thematically with modified grounded theory methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factors identified as contributing to MST included deployment dynamics, military culture, and lack of consequences for perpetrators. Participants attributed low MST reporting to negative reactions and blame from peers and supervisors, concerns about confidentiality, and stigma. Unit cohesion was cited as both a facilitator and a barrier to reporting. Availability and awareness of MST services during deployment varied. Barriers to care seeking were similar to reporting barriers and included confidentiality concerns and stigma. We identified several avenues to address MST, including strengthening consequences for perpetrators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified barriers to MST reporting and services. Better understanding of these issues will allow policymakers to improve MST prevention and services.
authors: At the time of the study, Bridgit Burns, Kate Grindlay, Kelsey Holt, and Ruth Manski were with Ibis Reproductive Health, Cambridge, MA. Daniel Grossman is with Ibis Reproductive Health, Oakland, CA, and the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco.
authors: Bridgit
authors: B
authors: Burns
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Grindlay
authors: Kelsey
authors: K
authors: Holt
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Manski
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Grossman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003219:Confidentiality; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult