Military Sexual Trauma in Perinatal Women: An Ongoing and Underrecognized Problem

Military sexual trauma (MST) remains a persistent problem despite decades of evidence documenting its prevalence and consequences. MST is harmful for men and women who have experienced it. However, one group is particularly vulnerable, yet understudied: pregnant and postpartum women in the military. This commentary focuses on health effects and birth outcomes for military women who have experienced MST, calls for the military to identify and address organizational factors that allow MST to persist, and describes possible next steps to address its detrimental effects. Such work is essential to inform prevention efforts, strengthen accountability, and better protect service members.