Yesterday, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence and a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, met with Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, as part of a meeting between Shulkin and the bipartisan Congressional Women’s Caucus. Kuster and Shulkin discussed the need to support veterans who are the survivors of sexual violence experienced during their military service. Military sexual trauma will be an important priority for the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence.

“Many men and women who have bravely served our nation in uniform are struggling with the aftermath of sexual trauma and they deserve our support,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I’m pleased that Secretary Shulkin has expressed his commitment to improving the VA system to extend care for the psychological and physical effects of sexual trauma. We know that far too many of our men and women in uniform are subjected to sexual harassment and sexual violence during their service, and this must end. But until we put a stop to sexual violence within our Armed Forces, it’s our obligation to care for those who have suffered such abuses.”

Specifically Kuster and Shulkin discussed:

• Improving VA’s web-based resources for military sexual trauma and women’s mental health services
• The creation of a Center of Excellence for Military Sexual Trauma and Women’s Mental Health
• Including military sexual trauma as a category of concern for transitioning service members in an agreement between the VA and the Department of Defense

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