A Playground for Predators: MSTy’s Story (Part 2)

In this conversation, MSTy explains the complexities of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), exploring her personal experiences with coping, education, and healing, the creation of a mapping initiative to document and share survivor stories, and the importance of raising awareness and accountability within the military community. MSTy shares her journey of healing, the challenges faced in navigating life after military service, and the significance of creating a platform for survivors to share their stories and experience.

For a full episode summary, visit The Silenced Voices Blog Post| If Victims Were Afraid Then, Predators Should Worry Now (MSTy’s Story | Part 2) We highly recommend visiting the blog if you find it difficult to hear stories of trauma or mental health struggles. The blog gives an extensive trauma-informed overview of the episode's contents, as well as a list of potentially triggering content timestamps. 

• Want to talk through your experience? Or support someone else in theirs?
• Join our private Facebook group: The Advocates of MST
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst

Don’t forget. This conversation matters. MSTy showed immense courage by telling her story. Please help us make sure her voice travels further: Leaving a written review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts helps elevate the visibility of the show for more survivors suffering in isolation and pain. A simple review can change another person’s life forever.  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to MSTy's Map Initiative
02:53 MSTy's Personal Reflections on Trauma and Healing
06:09 Navigating Life After Military Service
08:47 The Impact of MST and the Need for Awareness
12:09 Creating the MST Map: A Collective Effort
14:59 The Power of Sharing Stories and Data
17:58 Challenges in Raising Awareness
21:01 The Importance of Accountability and Support

Trigger Warning Timestamps

12:54 -  Mention of Vanessa Guillén
13:06 - Mentions of dissociation/mental health struggle
13:22 - Compensation and Pay Exam
13:45 - Mentions of Complex PTSD/mental health struggle
15:10 - Explanation of MST Map Website
15:31 - All types of SA named
15:50 - Mention of MST victims of recruiters
16:22 - Marine Corps recruiter predator news article 
16:41 - Army ROTC LT COL predator news article discussed
17:16 - 17: 45 - Unreported cases of MST
17:49 - 18:29 - Markers displayed on the map of incidents
20:02 - 22:08 Trolls invalidating of MST on social media
22:24 - 22:36 - Feelings of shame, isolation, and paranoia
23:11 - 24:47 - Describes how MST occurs around the world and in different situations illustrated by map markers can identify perpetrators and patterns over time

Although this podcast is a great resource, it does not replace care from a medical professional. If you’re in crisis or need someone to talk to: Call the Veterans Crisis Line — 988, then press 1 or go to the nearest emergency room.