FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2012
CONTACT: Brian Purchia – brian@protectourdefenders.com
***STATEMENT***
A statement from Protect Our Defenders Advocacy Board Member, Terri J. Odom,
honoring the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
“I am proud to say that more awareness and Congressional action has been placed on MST in the last year than ever before.
But at the same time, there is a shocking level of ignorance. Just a few days ago, a member of a veterans organization asked me, “What is this MST?” I was taken aback that such a high-profile activist, who deals every day with veteran health care and benefits, did not even know what MST stood for.
This once again, made me realize how much more work we have ahead of us to change a broken system.
MST is short for military sexual trauma. It happens to men as well as women while serving their country in our armed services. I am a veteran and an MST survivor. I raised my right hand to protect and defend the freedom and Constitution of the United States of America. But I, and the thousands of other survivors, did not raise our right hands to be raped!
Last year, I was told by an MST therapist that we needed to be sensitive within the VAMC about posting signs that April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month because there were also veterans who had committed the crimes among us and it could possibly upset them.
I went as high up the chain as I could go. And, I am proud to say, we hung Sexual Assault Awareness signs in every elevator and hallway in the VAMC last April.
We now have groups that support those of us who were injured in the military with MST. Protect Our Defenders, Swan, MRCC, and so many others, walk us through the VA Health Care system and the VBA as well as legal aide. Peer support is also very important because it allows MST survivors to connect with each other.
But there is so much more to do. Congresswoman Jackie Speier has been a warrior with 18 MST speeches already given on the House Floor. She has introduced HR 3435, The Stop Act. A lot of other lawmakers have also pressed forward to change the culture of rape in the military.
Lets all join together this April and make Sexual Assault Awareness Month a huge success. Talk to the MST coordinator at your local VAMC, see if there are events and if there are not, then perhaps start one. The time is now, folks, to speak up and speak out. Please write your members of Congress and your Senators in support of the STOP Act. We can no longer allow this to be swept under the rug.
MST does not define me. It is with me every day, but I have decided to let it empower me to share, to speak, to write to advocate for those who feel as if they have no voice. We have a lot of work ahead. It is my firm belief that we as a community can do this! God Bless Our Troops.”
– Protect Our Defenders, Advocacy Board Member Terri J. Odom