Va augusta offers hope and healing to military sexual trauma survivors | va augusta health care | veterans affairs

PRESS RELEASE April 19, 2024 Augusta , GA — April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month — an important time to reach out to Veterans and other former service members and share

that VA Augusta Health Care System provides free services for military sexual trauma survivors whenever they are ready, at any time of year. Military sexual trauma, or MST, is the term VA

Augusta uses to refer to sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred during military service. People of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and

branches of service have experienced MST. For some MST survivors, the experience affects their physical and mental health, work, relationships, and everyday life, even many years later.

“Healing after MST can take time, and we understand each survivor heals at their own pace and in their own way,” said Dr. Shannon Rogers, VA Augusta psychologist and MST Coordinator. “That’s

why we offer care that’s tailored to the individual Veteran.” MST-related care at VA Augusta is confidential and free, and no documentation of the MST experience is required to receive

care. Survivors do not need to have reported the MST experience at the time it occurred or to have sought care within a certain time frame. Veterans seeking more information on Military

Sexual Trauma care at VA Augusta can contact Dr. Shannon Rogers at 706-733-0188, ext. 27961. Media seeking information or an interview with Dr. Rogers should contact Will Martin, Chief of

Public Affairs, at (706) 733-0188 ext. 31733 or [email protected]. ### Media contacts William Martin, Chief of Public Affairs PHONE: ###