BIG VOICE MST | Podcast News Update - February 19th

Hi Madvocates, we’re back after a very long bresk. My apologies, I was quite ill for a long time. I had Covid, then an Upper Respiratory infection, the Covid again! Then my super intelligent self decided that getting the flu and Covid vaccine afterward was a great idea. Spoiler alert: It was not!

We are back though, and it time to share some updates with the podcast as well as news about MST and our community of victims, advocates, and survivors.

Our next episode will be starting on February 25, 2025. Our guest is named Brian, and he’s a former U.S. Marine Corps Infantryman. In the clip below, he shares the surreal experience of finding the GQ Article: https://www.gq.com/story/male-rape-in-the-military

So, another thing to bring up is The BIG VOICE. I wanted to bring that back, but with my schedule, adding another set of videos would not be feasible. But blog posts are! So I’ll be sharing a few news stories once a week to update the community on big news concerning MST globally, progress in accountability, and keeping an eye on how the new administration’s changes will affect us.

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Soldier's tragic inquest sees more than 1,000 military women share stories of rape, abuse and harassment - as Army chief tells senior officers to 'step up'

Daily Mail UK
By Noor Qurashi and Andy Dolan

The head of the Army has written to senior officers condemning 'shameful behaviour' after more than 1,000 women shared stories following the suicide of a teenage soldier.

In a letter seen by MailOnline, General Sir Roly Walker said he was 'disgusted' by new allegations of sexual abuse and that the behaviour does not match 'our values and standards'.

It comes amid an inquest into the death of Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, who was tragically found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15 2021.

She had previously complained about the behaviour of a senior colleague who 'pinned her down and tried to kiss her' as well as another 'psychotic and possessive' male colleague who she feared had hacked her phone.

An Army service inquiry report published in October 2023 said it was 'almost certain' an 'intense period of unwelcome behaviour' had been a causal factor in the teenager's death.

Now, hundreds of women have shared stories of being raped, abused and harassed while serving in the military as the inquest into Gunner Beck's death continues.

Posts uploaded anonymously to social media include allegations of women being pinned to the floor by male officers as well as reports of men trying to force their way into their female colleagues' rooms.

Read the article here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14411121/soldier-inquest-100s-women-stories-sex-abuse.html

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Soldiers Who Are Domestic Violence Victims

Psychology Today
By Lisa Aronson Fontes Ph.D. and co-authored with Rachel Arment, JD

No one welcomes or invites domestic abuse. Certain life experiences may make a person less likely to recognize it. Our experience suggests that military training, along with childhood abuse, may prime people to suffer intimate partner abuse in silence.

“I can see how a military background, where their intention is to break you down, set me up to accept life with my husband. In bootcamp and as an enlisted person in the army, mistreatment was normal. I was expected to perform well under stress and duress. I did not have much of my identity or self-worth left. When I got together with my abuser, I felt a lot of pride and identity in helping him and his kids. I cooked elaborate meals, made his place into a home, and kept his house clean. I sucked it up when he was nasty, demanding, and unkind.” –A former military service member who became a victim of domestic abuse

Enlistees are generally quite young when they join the military. Their training and early service may be their first job, their first time away from home, and their first time out of the United States, if they ship out. These new experiences come with the expectation of total dedication. Employment is contracted rather than at will. Someone who is kicked out or who chooses to resign is seen as failing in the core values.

Read the article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/invisible-chains/202502/soldiers-who-are-domestic-violence-victims

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Lawmakers want answers on DoD’s pause on sexual assault training

Federal News Network
By Michele Sandiford

House Democrats are pressing the Defense Department about the military services pausing sexual assault prevention and response training programs. In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the lawmakers said the decision is “not only irresponsible but also dangerous.” The lawmakers also said the law requires providing this training to incoming service members, civilian employees, first responders and staff directly supporting victims. At least some military branches have paused the program as the Defense Department works to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order banning all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the government.

Read the SAPR Oversight Letter: https://sarajacobs.house.gov/imo/media/doc/sapr_oversight_letter.pdf
Read the article: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-newscast/2025/02/lawmakers-want-answers-on-dods-pause-on-sexual-assault-training/

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Alright, that’s our post. Please feel free to share the clip, and tune in on February 25, 2025.

A Special Update on The Silenced Voices of MST

Madvocates (that’s our new name, y’all!), as many of you know, I've been on a path of deep reflection and soul-searching recently. This journey has led me to reconsider how our podcast and YouTube channel can best serve you, our dedicated listeners and viewers. Over the past few months, I've reached out to many of you to ask what you truly want from this platform. Your feedback has been invaluable, and it’s clear that we’re ready for some changes.

More Value, More Support

Pin it!

You’ve asked for more actionable resources, and I hear you. The episodes that have resonated the most with our community are those that offer tangible benefits—like discussions on float spas for PTSD relief or Pablo's story about using plant medicine for healing. Moving forward, we promise to focus on providing the resources that will genuinely improve your lives. Expect more episodes filled with coping strategies, alternative healing methods, and expert advice designed to empower you every step of the way.

Why the Big Voice is Taking a Break

The "Big Voice"—the news segment we've used to address military sexual trauma—will be taking a backseat for now. This decision wasn't made lightly. I realized that most of us who tune into the podcast or watch our YouTube channel are already well aware of the prevalence and severity of MST. It’s a reality we live with daily; it's not new to us, and constantly hearing about it in broad strokes doesn’t add meaningful value to our lives. Our community understands the depth of the issue. What we need now is not more reminders of how often these tragedies occur but rather resources, support, and practical tools to help us navigate the aftermath. That’s where our focus will shift.

So, how can you expect our content to change? Moving forward, we plan to produce more in-depth content rather than weekly summaries. This means fewer, but more substantial episodes and videos. We'll dive deep into specific stories, using Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and other investigative tools to uncover how systemic failures occur and explore potential solutions. These deep dives will allow us to understand not just the “what” but the “why” and the “how”—how things went wrong, why they continue to go wrong, and what can be done to fix them. By focusing on these comprehensive investigations, we can offer a clearer path forward and actionable insights for our community.

Connecting Emotionally: The Power of Stories and Support

Our shift in focus also comes from a desire to connect with you on a deeper emotional level. I am committed to sharing stories that not only highlight the challenges we face but also the resilience and strength within our community. By spotlighting those who have been tirelessly fighting the good fight, we can inspire and support each other. I’ve connected with incredible individuals and organizations doing this work not for profit, but to protect others from what happened to them. It’s time these unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve.

Expanding Our Global Impact

Another exciting development is our expansion into the global landscape of MST. You may not know this, but military sexual trauma is not confined to any one country; it is a pervasive issue affecting militaries worldwide. I've had the privilege of connecting with people in different armed forces around the globe, and I told you the podcast was growing—I wasn't kidding! Together, we will create an international dialogue that highlights the universal nature of this problem, pushing for change wherever it is needed.

Practical Tools and Resources for Healing

In future episodes, expect practical, easy-to-implement advice that can help you navigate your healing journey. And if you become a member of our Patreon, you'll get access to them before anyone. Whether it's understanding how to get the most out of your C&P exam or finding new ways to cope with trauma, we're here to provide you with the tools you need. The podcast will focus on actionable content designed to make a real difference in your daily life. To continue receiving all these valuable insights and resources, make sure you're subscribed to our podcast and YouTube channel. Don't miss out on the latest episodes filled with expert advice, powerful stories, and practical tools to support your journey. Hit that subscribe button now and join us in this global movement for change.

Thank You for Your Patience and Support

I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you—our listeners, viewers, readers—our Madvocates—for your patience as I navigate these changes. Your feedback and support have been a guiding light. I've realized that the work we're doing here is vital, and I’m committed to making this space as supportive, informative, and empowering as possible. I’ve been through quite a bit in the last year since starting this show, and I truly appreciate you going on this journey with me. It’s been an interesting one, to say the least, but I’m here for you, and I’m determined to continue growing and evolving this platform. This new direction feels like the best way forward, with a focus that is clear and unified.

What Do You Want to See Next?

As we move forward, I want to hear more from you. What kind of content would be most helpful? What topics do you want us to explore? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Your input is crucial to ensuring that this podcast continues to serve its most important purpose: supporting and empowering survivors.

Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments. What would you like to see from the podcast? How can we better support you as you heal? Your feedback is invaluable, and I’m committed to incorporating your ideas to make this podcast the best it can be.

Let’s keep moving forward, together.

<3 Rachelle