As the Honorable Pete Hegseth steps into his role as Secretary of Defense, the military community watches with keen interest, particularly those of us deeply invested in addressing Military Sexual Trauma (MST). After 25 years on the frontlines of MST advocacy and survivor support, I've witnessed firsthand how critical the first hours and days are following an assault.
The pressing challenge facing Secretary Hegseth's administration isn't just acknowledging MST, it's revolutionizing how we handle time-sensitive reporting. Every hour that passes after an assault represents crucial forensic evidence lost, justice delayed, and a survivor's trust potentially shattered.
The current reporting system often creates an impossible choice: risk career repercussions by reporting immediately, or lose vital evidence by waiting until feeling safe enough to come forward. This isn't just a procedural issue, it's a matter of justice that demands immediate attention from our new leadership.
As we enter this new era of military leadership, the question isn't whether we'll address MST, but how quickly and effectively we'll implement changes that protect both evidence and survivors. The success of Secretary Hegseth's tenure may well be measured by his ability to transform MST reporting from a risk into a right.
The Evidence Timeline: Why Early Reporting Matters When it comes to prosecuting sexual assault cases in the military, timing is everything. Early reporting isn't just about administrative procedure, it's about preserving crucial forensic evidence that can make or break a case. Physical evidence, including DNA samples, bruising documentation, and other forensic markers, begins to deteriorate almost immediately after an assault. Each passing hour potentially diminishes the strength of evidence that prosecutors need to build a compelling case. The Investigation Gap Many cases fall through during the investigation phase due to insufficient evidence, a direct consequence of delayed reporting. Without substantial physical evidence or immediate documentation, investigators face an uphill battle in building a case that meets the rigorous standards required for prosecution. Prosecutors must prove cases beyond a reasonable doubt, and without solid forensic evidence, cases often stall at the investigation stage, never making it to court-martial. The Retaliation Factor: A Systemic Barrier to Justice
When service members gather the courage to report sexual assault, they often face an unexpected enemy: retaliation. This isn't just a footnote in the MST crisis, it's a devastating second wave of trauma that silences countless survivors.
The faces of retaliation are many:
• Career Sabotage: Suddenly "problem" service members
• Social Exile: Overnight outcasts in their own units
• Intimidation Tactics: Subtle threats to devastating consequences
• Professional Roadblocks: Blocked promotions and strategic reassignments
• Broken Bonds: The destruction of vital unit relationships
Each act of retaliation sends a chilling message across the ranks: 'Stay silent.' This isn't just about individual careers, it's about dismantling the very trust that holds our military community together.
The cost? A culture of silence that protects perpetrators and punishes those brave enough to speak up. Every survivor who faces retaliation becomes an unwitting warning to others: 'This is what happens when you report.'"
Here's how we're working to transform the reporting landscape:
Shield & Support
• Ironclad anti-retaliation measures with swift, decisive consequences
• Round-the-clock access to dedicated victim advocates
• Secure, confidential communication channels
• Immediate connection to specialized legal counsel
Leadership in Action
• Command accountability at every level
• Enhanced survivor support training
• Zero-tolerance stance on retaliation
• Active dismantling of victim-blaming culture
Streamlined Safety Nets
• Simplified, trauma-informed reporting processes
• Immediate access to medical resources
• Strengthened investigation protocols
• Clear tracking of case progression
The path to justice shouldn't feel like another battle. By implementing these crucial changes, we're not just creating procedures, we're building a foundation of trust that empowers survivors to step forward with confidence.
Remember: Every voice matters. Every report counts. Every survivor deserves to be heard."
Moving Forward: A Call to Action
The military's sexual assault conviction rate of less than 2% is not just a statistic, it represents countless survivors who haven't received justice and perpetrators who haven't been held accountable. Early reporting is crucial for building strong cases, but it can only happen in an environment where survivors feel safe and supported.
Creating this environment requires commitment at every level of military leadership and a fundamental shift in how we approach sexual trauma cases. It demands that we not only improve our investigative and legal processes but also address the cultural factors that allow retaliation to persist.
Until we can guarantee that reporting sexual assault won't result in career suicide or social ostracism, we'll continue to see delayed reporting and, consequently, cases that can't move forward due to lack of evidence. The path to justice begins with creating an environment where survivors feel safe speaking up immediately, knowing they'll be protected, supported, and believed.
The question isn't just how we improve conviction rates, it's how we transform military culture to ensure that every service member knows they can report assault without fear of retaliation. Only then can we begin to see real justice served and meaningful change in how these cases are handled and prosecuted.
Author: Janae Sergio, U.S. Navy Veteran
