Warriors without weapons: The victimization of military women

This manuscript traces the historical roots of attitudes toward women serving in non-nursing capacities in the U.S. military. It develops the theme of the influence of negative and hostile attitudes toward women's entry into the most traditionally masculine of pursuits; the waging of war. The resultant abuse, aggression and violence directed upon these women is examined.; The personal, individual stories of women who have suffered acts of violence and aggression from their brothers in the services are told in their own voices, including that of the author. The effect upon the mental health of such victims is discussed, and a comprehensive exploration of the commonly resultant syndrome, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD), presented.; As the women leave the services, they become veterans, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is mandated to provide for their health care for conditions resulting from service, including PTSD. To date, this care has been virtually unavailable, and recent Congressional legislation has been necessary to force the VA to meet its obligations toward women veterans victimized during their service in the military. Concepts and suggestions for the provision of adequate and appropriate services to meet these obligations, particularly in the treatment of PTSD, are presented.; Finally, the VA disability claims system and its abusive features which revictimize women veterans rather than helping them is examined. An entire case history is presented which clearly demonstrates the exacerbating effects upon a victim trying to survive the system in order to receive care.