"Silenced No More"

The Courage of a Soldier - Life After Military Sexual Trauma

When we were asked what we wanted to be or do when we grew up, none of us woke up and said, Today, I have made the decision to be raped and have my dignity, self-worth, and pride ripped away. Tomorrow I will live in a constant, crippling fear and avoid sleep due to nightmares. Oh wait. They chase me even when I am awake. Post-traumatic stress disorder made me spiral out of control. I lost relationships, friendships, jobs, and my family due to the never-ending reaches of depression. I never wanted to drink or use drugs to numb the pain that would never go away. I never wanted to lose the place I once called home and roam the streets on my own. I never wanted the future to include pulling a trigger with shaking hands, swallowing pills, drinking and driving, or committing suicide by cop to end the hell Ive called life. How serious is the issue of military rape? Reports of sexual assault in the U.S. Military have inundated local and national media. Due to the extent of coverage across all military branches, it has resulted in a series