Being My Own Virgil: My Journey Through Inferno From Military Sexual Trauma

This article provides a first-hand experience of military sexual abuse and trauma. The course of the abusive events unfolded over a span of 12 months. The abuse started almost immediately and continued over time, despite direct comments to stop, report to others, and other attempts by the victim at obtaining help to stop the abuse. The fact that the victim did not manifest the expected behaviors of a victim of abuse led many either to not see the effects or not view the effects as having significant impact on the victim. At different choice points, both colleagues and senior personnel either blamed the victim or refused to concern themselves with the events or get involved. Although the military system eventually understood and resolved the situation, it was a long, arduous, and painful process for the victim.