As a social worker in the voluntary sector , I ’ ve witnessed the profound and lasting impact of trauma on individuals who often feel invisible in society . Nowhere is this more apparent than in the lives of male military veterans who have survived military sexual trauma ( MST ). The reluctance of the UK government and Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) to recognise MST among men leaves many struggling in silence , often selfmedicating with alcohol as a desperate coping mechanism . Forward Assist , a charity dedicated to supporting veterans , recently published Liquid armour , a report shedding light on the realities of MST survivors and their relationship with alcohol . The findings are both harrowing and revealing ,
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and highlight how alcohol becomes a tool for survival in the absence of trauma-informed services tailored to the unique needs of male survivors .
HIDDEN POPULATION MST is not formally recognised in the UK , despite being acknowledged by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as any unwanted sexual experience during military service . The stigma surrounding male survivors creates a culture of silence . While reports indicate that between 5 and 10 per cent of military men in western nations experience sexual assault , under-reporting remains a significant barrier to addressing the issue . Many victims fear being labelled as weak or facing questions about their masculinity and / or
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sexuality , leading them to selfisolate and suffer alone .
Survivors of MST often endure post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ), depression , anxiety , and other complex mental health conditions . The betrayal by fellow service members and the institutions meant to protect them leads to deep-seated mistrust , shame , and self-doubt . Many are left feeling marginalised , unable to access appropriate services , and with little recourse but to turn to alcohol as a means of temporary escape .
COPING MECHANISM The military has a long-standing drinking culture , often viewed as a bonding exercise or a way to unwind . But for MST survivors , alcohol becomes more than just a social lubricant — it is a shield , a
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numbing agent , a way to forget . Veterans interviewed in Liquid armour spoke candidly about their relationship with alcohol :
‘ My commanding officer once said that only Americans see a shrink , whereas the British go to the pub . That ’ s how I ’ ve dealt with every problem in my life since I left the army .’
‘ I hoped I ’ d kill myself while I was drinking as I wasn ’ t brave enough to do it sober .’
‘ Drinking made me feel cosy and warm … until I woke up .’
These stories illustrate the devastating cycle of selfmedication that many MST survivors fall into . For some , alcohol is an unconscious attempt to suppress traumatic
Ben Birchall / Alamy
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