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Virginia Novak
Mrs. DeBock
English IV
March 18, 2015
Veteran Affair Centers Changing for the Better
Veteran Affair (VA) centers are meant to take care of past soldiers whether it be physical
or emotional trauma. In the past VA centers were known for having awful sexual assault
programs. The fear that sexual assault victims have to go through is intense and VA centers
should have the proper support groups. VA centers are currently changing due to the amount of
complaints and the inability to support the male victims. Social media such as Facebook has
especially impacted on these programs. Veteran Affair centers are improving and victims are
speaking out over social media to share their stories.
One VA center in Florida was forced to change its programs entirely because inspectors
finally realized that the programs that they had been originally been running were not helping at
all. According to one inspector, the VA is not doing a good enough job connecting victims to
programs (Altman). The major problem of the program was that it was not for men. The author
stated the shocking truth about the initial sexual assault program, apparently it was only for
women which meant that men were not allowed (Altman.) Ever since the inspection the VA
center has changed entirely. Before the actual change Senator Parry Murray found out about the
problem and stated, Much more needs to be done to prevent MST from occurring, (Altman).
VA centers are actually changing to support its victims in ways that it was unable to before.
Military sexual trauma (MST) is a major concern of almost all VA centers. Their main
goal is the prevent MST from taking over the victims life. VA centers are setting up new
programs and new ways to show victims that they are not alone. Without support groups or any

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type of help can result in severe depression, suicidal thoughts, PTSD, MST, and suicide. VA
centers are emphasizing the importance of getting help because according to the Veterans Health
Administration, we know that any type if trauma can affect a persons physical and mental
health (Military Sexual Assault). One of the major perks of the VA center is that VA has free
services to help Veterans do this (Military Sexual Assault). Victims do not even need any type
of report of document of the assault to attend the meetings. Veteran Affair centers are supporting
their victims and attempting to control their MST and PTSD symptoms.
Veteran Affairs centers are now trying to reach out to victims via Facebook. Most victims
are scared to share their stories because they feel like they are alone. But thanks to social media
victims are sharing their stories to encourage other victims to share their stories as well. The
MST coordinator was, personally assigned to helping them, answering questions directly
guiding them through what many say is an emotionally harrowing and complicated financial
benefits process (Wax). The victims are appreciating the help that they are receiving off of
social media. Victim Allison Hickey says that sexual assault destroys lives, reproduction, and
marriages (Wax-Thibodeaux). With all of stories and help on Facebook the VA is also training
5,000 doctors and nurses specifically in helping women victims that have endued sexual assault
(Wax). VA centers are trying to branch out to victims through social media to show support and
give sources for help.
Veteran Affair centers are changing their programs to support their victims more and are
branching out over social media to get survivors to share their stories with the world. Their
stories deserve to be heard. VA centers new programs are made to prevent MST and PTSD as
much as possible. Through the changes in program and the use of social media to reach out to
victims, the results should be more positive than past results.

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Works Cited
Altman, Howard. "Florida VA Program Tackles Military Sex Cases." Stars and Stripes. US
Military, 12 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.
"Military Sexual Assault." US Department of Veterans Affairs. United States Military, n.d. Web.
6 Mar. 2015.
Wax-Thibodeaux, Emily. "VA Reaches out to Sexual Trauma Survivors via Facebook." Most
Read. United States Military, 16 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.