Why Congress Must Pass H.R. 6023

Military Sexual Trauma, otherwise known as MST. It’s rape, assault, and degradation that happens within the ranks of the U.S. military — committed not by foreign enemies, but by fellow service members, superiors, or those sworn to protect.

The Veteran Restitution and Justice Act of 2023 (H.R. 6023) would allow MST survivors to rightfully receive retroactive VA benefits from the day of discharge, not the day they found the strength to file a claim.

While 1992 marks the year MST was first acknowledged by the VA, it took decades of advocacy and lawsuits for it to be treated as a legitimate basis for mental health treatment and disability compensation. No where in the civilian society would this have been acceptable. By law, criminals would have been prosecuted.  

MST isn’t rare. It’s systemic.

According to the Department of Defense:

Over 8,942 sexual assaults were reported in 2022 alone. Yet countless more go unreported out of threats and induced fear tactics within the ranks.

An estimated 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men in the military experience MST today.

The military not only failed to protect, but actively silences them. Some were falsely accused of misconduct as retaliation. Others were told to “man up.” 

We have buried too many men and women veterans not only from war, but from despair, overdose, and suicide. Our government has failed them.

Pass H.R. 6023. 

I served 1998-2004. I was nine-teen, like many other girls.  I spent nearly 3 years on a 5000 crew male dominated warship outnumbered and lawless.

As an enlisted, I had no safe space.  Not in the berthing, not in the showers, there was no escaping. All of this while still performing my duties, being a part of a mass casualty clean up crew during Post 9/11 Gulf war deployment.  This unfortunate event added to my mental decline, paralyzing my ability to get help.  

We endured constant harassment, physical violations, and living in fear of retaliation. Anyone who spoke up was ostracized, shamed, or dishonorably discharged. The ones who raped and sodomized? Protected. Promoted. Untouched.

Pass H.R. 6023. Don’t let another survivor die without their country even acknowledging what was done to them.

* 2025 Cynthia A. Sage. All rights reserved.
Title: Veterans Eye
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