Investigating the prevalence and impact of Military SexualTrauma (MST) on UK women service personnel:implications for mental health, help-seeking and

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Very little is known in the UK about the experiences ofwomen service personnel and veterans (those who haveleft military service) with regards to military sexual trauma(MST) (sexual harassment and/or assault that occurs inmilitary service), or sexual harassment and assault thathappens outside of the military, and the resulting impact ontheir mental health. Whilst sexual assault and harassmentcan happen to both men and women, US military researchhas found that women report this at far higher levels,experience significant barriers to seeking help and support,and have resulting long-term mental health problems suchas posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the UK, aresearch review in 2021 titled, 'We Also Served', identifiedMST as a top priority for research. Additionally, a recentparliamentary Defence Select Committee investigation in2021 tasked with examining women's experiences ofservice identified many instances of 'unacceptablebehaviours' targeted at women that ranged from a cultureof masculine banter to sexual harassment and rape.Using data and recruitment from a UK cohort study that hasassessed the health and wellbeing of UK Armed Forces whodeployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, this projectwill use both surveys and interviews to assess the levelsand experiences of UK women service personnel andveterans that report sexual harassment and/or sexualassault. The study will examine whether these eventshappened during their military service, what the impact ison their mental health and what the risk factors are inrelation to poor mental health. The study will also discusswith women who have and have not experienced sexualharassment/assault about their perceptions andexperiences of military culture and their work environmentin-service in relation to 'unacceptable behaviours' such assexualised banter or knowledge of sexualharassment/assault. The study will further investigate anybarriers to help-seeking and will work with women, themilitary and NHS providers of treatment and supportservices to improve the design of services so they aretailored to women's needs. This project will give voice andunderstanding to a previously underserved group ofwomen, connect its findings to influence improvements inpractical policy and service design, and offer evidence thatcan be utilised in other occupational fields where womenare a minority, therefore extending impact beyond thisproject.