Women veterans' experiences with domestic violence and with sexual harassment while in the military
M. Murdoch and K. L. Nichol
General Medicine Section, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA.
BACKGROUND: Both domestic violence and sexual harassment may adversely
affect women's health but often go unrecognized. OBJECTIVE: To assess women
veterans' experiences with domestic violence and with sexual harassment
while in the military as well as the relationship of such experiences to
health and health care utilization. METHODS: We surveyed all 191 women
hospitalized from March 1992 to 1993 at the Minneapolis (Minn) Veterans
Affairs Medical Center and 411 randomly selected female outpatients. Data
were collected using an anonymous validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Results
were stratified by age and analyzed using both bivariable and multivariable
techniques. Twenty-four percent of respondents under age 50 years reported
domestic violence in the past year and 90% reported sexual harassment while
in the military. Among older respondents, 7% said they had experienced
domestic violence in the past year and 37% reported a history of sexual
harassment while in the military. Of those who reported domestic violence
in the past year, 50% of respondents under age 50 years and 28% of older
respondents said that at least one assault was life-threatening. Rates of
reports of completed and attempted sexual assaults while in the military
were 20 times higher than previous reports by other government employees.
Respondents with a history of either domestic violence (odds ratio, 2.83;
95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38 to 5.78) or sexual harassment while in
the military (odds ratio, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.22 to 6.53) were more than twice
as likely to report a history of anxiety or depression, and a history of
domestic violence was associated with more lifetime surgical procedures
(odds ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.33). CONCLUSIONS: Histories of
domestic violence within the past year and of sexual harassment while in
the military are common among women veterans. Both may be associated with
adverse effects on mental and physical health.
The Veterans Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma
Kimerling et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2007;97:2160-2166.
ABSTRACT
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Attitudes Toward Women and Tolerance for Sexual Harassment Among Reservists
Vogt et al.
Violence Against Women 2007;13:879-900.
ABSTRACT
Lifetime and Current Sexual Assault and Harassment Victimization Rates of Active-Duty United States Air Force Women
Bostock and Daley
Violence Against Women 2007;13:927-944.
ABSTRACT
Depression, PTSD, and Comorbidity Related to Intimate Partner Violence in Civilian and Military Women
O'Campo et al.
BRIEF TREAT CRISIS INTERVEN 2006;6:99-110.
ABSTRACT
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Taking Charge: A Pilot Curriculum of Self-Defense and Personal Safety Training for Female Veterans With PTSD Because of Military Sexual Trauma.
David et al.
J Interpers Violence 2006;21:555-565.
ABSTRACT
Making a Case for Personal Safety: Perceptions of Vulnerability and Desire for Self-Defense Training among Female Veterans
David et al.
J Interpers Violence 2004;19:991-1001.
ABSTRACT
Burden of Medical Illness in Women With Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Frayne et al.
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:1306-1312.
ABSTRACT
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Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse among Active Duty Military Women
Campbell et al.
Violence Against Women 2003;9:1072-1092.
ABSTRACT
Health-Related Consequences of Physical and Sexual Violence: Women in the Military
SADLER et al.
Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:473-480.
ABSTRACT
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The Prevalence of Military Sexual Assault Among Female Veterans' Administration Outpatients
SKINNER et al.
J Interpers Violence 2000;15:291-310.
ABSTRACT
