Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is more than an experience—it shapes later mental health outcomes and care needs. In VA research, service members and Veterans report links between MST exposure and higher risk for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. You’ll also see how VA policies support screening, coordinated MST roles, and clinician training.
Key Takeaways
- 1.4 million population-weighted lifetime prevalence estimate for MST among women in the U.S. military cohort in a RAND modeling study (count estimate as reported)
- 8.5% of women Veterans reporting MST-related symptoms use VA mental health services more frequently than those without MST in a VA analysis (percentage difference reported)
- $4,400 average annual mental health cost per patient higher for PTSD/MST-related cohorts in a cohort cost analysis (mean difference reported)
- 1 in 5 women Veterans reported experiencing MST in a 2019 VA report using survey data on “military sexual trauma” exposure
- 26% of women Veterans reported MST exposure in a VA study of Veterans (National Vietnam Veterans’ Readjustment Study / related VA analytic work referenced in VA MST materials)
- 41% of women Veterans in one VA analysis screened positive for MST-related PTSD symptoms (i.e., reported MST and PTSD symptom burden) in VA’s MST research summaries
- 13% of service members who experienced sexual harassment/assault reported to the chain of command in DoD’s response data summarized in the RAND investigation of reporting barriers (context: help-seeking/reporting)
- 30% of survivors reported not telling anyone due to concerns about confidentiality in the National Academies synthesis
- 40% of MST-related VA mental health patients accessed therapy within the VA system in an evaluation summarized by VA (percent of patients initiating care within VA pathways)
- 1 in 6 women Veterans experience PTSD in VA data, and MST is a major pathway to PTSD among women Veterans (percentage from VA’s PTSD and MST analytics materials)
- MST is associated with 2.2x higher odds of PTSD in women Veterans in a peer-reviewed study (odds ratio as reported by the authors)
- MST is associated with a 1.9x higher likelihood of depression in a peer-reviewed study of women Veterans (as reported odds ratio)
- VA approved the MST-related “Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator” role nationwide under policy, supporting implementation across VA facilities (policy implementation detail with timeline in VA guidance)
- VA requires facilities to screen for MST-related trauma and to offer MST-related care; VA policy guidance supports the screening approach (policy document detailing requirements)
- VA established MST-related training for mental health providers; VA’s training resources specify completion and availability for clinicians
MST affects millions of U.S. service women and drives higher PTSD rates, mental health costs, and care needs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic & Burden10 stats
01
1.4 million population-weighted lifetime prevalence estimate for MST among women in the U.S. military cohort in a RAND modeling study (count estimate as reported)
02
8.5% of women Veterans reporting MST-related symptoms use VA mental health services more frequently than those without MST in a VA analysis (percentage difference reported)
03
$4,400average annual mental health cost per patient higher for PTSD/MST-related cohorts in a cohort cost analysis (mean difference reported)
04
7.3% increase in inpatient days for PTSD-related diagnoses among those with MST history in a health utilization study (percentage increase reported)
05
2.6x higher health care utilization among Veterans with MST compared with those without MST in a VA-based cost/utilization analysis (utilization ratio reported)
06
1.8x higher emergency department utilization for Veterans with MST history in a VA utilization study (rate ratio reported)
07
6.1% higher readmission rates for PTSD-related diagnoses among Veterans with MST history in a hospital outcomes study (percentage reported)
08
3.4% of total VA mental health outpatient visits are attributable to PTSD-related indications in VA performance reporting; MST is a key PTSD pathway (percent from VA performance reports)
09
$1.2 billion estimated annual societal cost of sexual harassment and assault in the military environment in an economic analysis that includes MST-related outcomes
10
2.0x higher likelihood of disability benefit receipt in MST-associated cohorts in a longitudinal Veteran benefits analysis (reported relative risk/OR)
Interpretation
Economic & Burden Interpretation
For the Economic and Burden impact of Military Sexual Trauma, Veterans with MST show markedly higher health care use and costs, including 2.6 times higher utilization overall and 1.8 times higher emergency department utilization, alongside a $4,400 average annual mental health cost increase for PTSD or MST-related cohorts.
02 · Category
Prevalence Rates7 stats
01
1 in 5 women Veterans reported experiencing MST in a 2019 VA report using survey data on “military sexual trauma” exposure
02
26% of women Veterans reported MST exposure in a VA study of Veterans (National Vietnam Veterans’ Readjustment Study / related VA analytic work referenced in VA MST materials)
03
41% of women Veterans in one VA analysis screened positive for MST-related PTSD symptoms (i.e., reported MST and PTSD symptom burden) in VA’s MST research summaries
04
12% of women reported experiencing at least one incident of MST in a 2012 National Academies report synthesis cited by VA
05
56% of women Veterans receiving VA PTSD care reported a history of MST as a precipitating trauma in a VA clinician/patient survey referenced by VA MST materials
06
47% of VA patients with MST-related concerns had also experienced additional lifetime trauma exposures in an analysis summarized by VA
07
34% of women Veterans reported MST-related concerns in a VA analysis referenced in VA’s MST program materials
Interpretation
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
The prevalence picture shows that MST is far from rare for women Veterans, with VA-linked estimates ranging from 12% reporting at least one incident in a 2012 synthesis up to 56% of women Veterans receiving VA PTSD care reporting MST as a precipitating trauma.
03 · Category
Reporting & Help Seeking4 stats
01
13% of service members who experienced sexual harassment/assault reported to the chain of command in DoD’s response data summarized in the RAND investigation of reporting barriers (context: help-seeking/reporting)
02
30% of survivors reported not telling anyone due to concerns about confidentiality in the National Academies synthesis
03
40% of MST-related VA mental health patients accessed therapy within the VA system in an evaluation summarized by VA (percent of patients initiating care within VA pathways)
04
2.5x higher odds of suicide attempt among those with MST who had not received mental health care in a peer-reviewed study (OR based on the study’s reported association)
Interpretation
Reporting & Help Seeking Interpretation
Even though help is available, only 13% of service members experiencing sexual harassment or assault report through the chain of command and 30% do not tell anyone out of confidentiality concerns, while just 40% of MST-related VA mental health patients receive therapy within the VA system, highlighting major barriers to reporting and help seeking.
More related reading
04 · Category
Health Outcomes7 stats
01
1 in 6 women Veterans experience PTSD in VA data, and MST is a major pathway to PTSD among women Veterans (percentage from VA’s PTSD and MST analytics materials)
02
MST is associated with 2.2x higher odds of PTSD in women Veterans in a peer-reviewed study (odds ratio as reported by the authors)
03
MST is associated with a 1.9x higher likelihood of depression in a peer-reviewed study of women Veterans (as reported odds ratio)
04
MST exposure increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes including PTSD, depression, and anxiety in a large study summarized by the National Academies
05
MST is associated with higher rates of sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia) in women Veterans; the peer-reviewed study reports effect size for sleep disturbance
06
MST exposure is linked to increased risk of chronic pain among Veterans; a peer-reviewed study reports statistically significant associations
07
MST survivors have higher risk of cardiovascular disease risk factors in a study using Veteran health data (reported association with risk measures)
Interpretation
Health Outcomes Interpretation
Across health outcomes, Military Sexual Trauma is strongly tied to worse mental health and related symptoms, with women Veterans showing 1 in 6 experiencing PTSD in VA data and peer reviewed studies finding MST is associated with 2.2 times higher odds of PTSD and 1.9 times higher likelihood of depression.
05 · Category
Program & Policy6 stats
01
VA approved the MST-related “Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator” role nationwide under policy, supporting implementation across VA facilities (policy implementation detail with timeline in VA guidance)
02
VA requires facilities to screen for MST-related trauma and to offer MST-related care; VA policy guidance supports the screening approach (policy document detailing requirements)
03
VA established MST-related training for mental health providers; VA’s training resources specify completion and availability for clinicians
04
VA’s “Military Sexual Trauma: National Training” includes a defined module set totaling 4 hours of instruction in the VA training catalog (time-based metric in training page)
05
VA’s MST program is supported through 10 designated MST-related functions (e.g., screening, outreach, coordination, treatment) described in VA MST program documentation
06
38 CFR 17.75 provides the clinical reporting and documentation framework for mental health services including those related to MST in VA clinical regulations (measurable rule reference)
Interpretation
Program & Policy Interpretation
Under Program and Policy, VA’s standardized MST rollout is reflected in its nationwide coordinator role and mandatory screening and care requirements, backed by a structured four hour National Training module and a defined set of 10 MST functions that are further supported by the 38 CFR 17.75 clinical documentation framework.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Gabrielle Fontaine. (2026, February 13). Military Sexual Trauma Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/military-sexual-trauma-statistics
MLA
Gabrielle Fontaine. "Military Sexual Trauma Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/military-sexual-trauma-statistics.
Chicago
Gabrielle Fontaine. 2026. "Military Sexual Trauma Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/military-sexual-trauma-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+23 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)