Recent revelations about the handling of sexual assault cases in the military have ignited outrage and frustration among survivors, especially following a Navy officer’s claim dismissed as a work-related issue. Dawn, a retired Marine combat veteran, channeled her anger through an unusual outlet: smashing a bat against a tree.

As a survivor of military sexual trauma (MST), Dawn’s experience has left her with profound scars, both emotionally and physically. Her anger was reignited when news emerged that her traumatic experiences were being trivialized, further fueling her determination to speak out against the current administration’s approach toward service members.

“This trauma never goes away; you just learn to cope with it. But that story took me back to a dark place,” said Dawn, who remains anonymous out of fear that her disability benefits might be jeopardized. “All I could do was scream and cry.”

In response to the alarming climate for women in the armed forces, Dawn has taken it upon herself to dissuade women from enlisting in the military until there is substantial change. “I tell them, ‘Do not go in,’” she said emphatically. “If you value your safety and mental health, avoid the military under this regime.”

Dawn’s own experience dates back over 35 years when she was gang-raped while stationed overseas. The aftermath left her traumatized, pregnant, and isolated, as she felt powerless to report the incident for fear of the consequences on her career.

“We had no means to report what was happening, no confidentiality or support systems in place. I was alone in my struggle,” she recalled. This pervasive silence and stigma surrounding MST was echoed by Katy Eilers, another survivor and veteran advocate.

Eilers, assaulted by military police while deployed as an Army medic, understands the complex terrain that many MST survivors navigate. “Every time I see another safety measure for women stripped away, it’s like reopening old wounds,” she lamented.

The latest controversy arose when a judge dismissed Elsie Dominguez’s multi-year fight for justice after she was raped on a Navy transport ship, deeming it merely a “worker’s compensation issue.” Eilers described this perspective as outrageous and dehumanizing.

“With every safety step taken away by Pete Hegseth, it’s reliving that trauma all over again,” said Eilers, now 38. The actions of Hegseth, the current Secretary of Defense, have raised alarm bells for many women in the military.

Hegseth has been criticized for his efforts to overhaul military equal opportunity programs, attempting to label them as “weaponized.” This includes blocking promotions for women and minorities in the Army, marking a stark regression in advances made over the last decade.

“Active-duty friends of mine are terrified. They say protections they once had are gone. Every unit seems to have their own version of Hegseth, someone who embodies that toxic culture,” Eilers explained.

Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, which included questions about a sexual assault claim against him, has not quelled concerns about his leadership style. Eilers defines a “Hegseth” as an individual who dismisses and belittles survivors.

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently released its Fiscal Year 2025 report on sexual assault, revealing that an estimated 20,492 service members experienced unwanted sexual contact last year. While the incidence rate decreased since the previous report, survivors are skeptical about the efficacy of the measures in place.

Anthony J. Tata, Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, stated, “Sexual assault undermines trust and erodes the values of dignity, respect, and discipline within the military.” However, many believe these words have yet to translate into meaningful action.

Eilers, now an advocate based in Omaha, stresses the need to shift the focus from procedural barriers to comprehensive support for survivors. She emphasizes that the military must end restricted reporting and offer robust mechanisms for survivors to pursue justice without fear.

Both Dawn and Eilers are rallying behind the Military Sexual Trauma Accountability Act, which aims to allow service members and veterans to file civil lawsuits against the government for incidents related to sexual trauma.

Despite these legislative efforts, Dawn insists that the core issue lies in leadership. “Hegseth must go. His policies endanger our military and the women in it. We need true advocates in positions of power,” she asserted, highlighting the urgency of reforming a system that has often fallen short in protecting its own.