The Silenced Voices of MST podcast empowers MST survivors with resources, community, and better access to healing. Our mission is to break the silence surrounding Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and empower survivors to share their stories. This groundbreaking podcast sheds light on the untold experiences within our Armed Forces community, both among service members, veterans, and their loved ones. MST can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, rank, race, physical strength, or gender. Join us as we amplify the voices of survivors, raise awareness about MST, and spark crucial conversations for change. Our content includes MST survivor interviews, offering resources, and nurturing a community that truly understands trauma. Subscribe to our show, leave a review, and be part of a movement that creates a brighter future for all who have served. You are not alone. Together, we can make a difference.
Visit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com
Social media: bio.site/silencedvoicesmst
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The Silenced Voices of MST podcast empowers MST survivors with resources, community, and better access to healing. Our mission is to break the silence surrounding Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and empower survivors to share their stories. This groundbreaking podcast sheds light on the untold experiences within our Armed Forces community, both among service members, veterans, and their loved ones. MST can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, rank, race, physical strength, or gender. Join us as we amplify the voices of survivors, raise awareness about MST, and spark crucial conversations for change. Our content includes MST survivor interviews, offering resources, and nurturing a community that truly understands trauma. Subscribe to our show, leave a review, and be part of a movement that creates a brighter future for all who have served. You are not alone. Together, we can make a difference.
Visit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com
Social media: bio.site/silencedvoicesmst
In Part 2, Lakeydra Houston, a US Air Force veteran, shares her profound journey through trauma, resilience, and advocacy. From her initial reluctance to join the military to facing multiple instances of sexual assault, Lakeydra's story is exemplar of the challenges many veterans face. She discusses the toxic culture within the military, the impact of alcohol, and the cycle of trauma that can ensue. However, through her struggles, Lakeydra found purpose in advocating for others, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and creating supportive communities. Her journey is one of pain, healing, empowerment.
For a full episode summary, visit The Silenced Voices Blog Post | Broken Systems, Broken Hearts: Lakeydra’s Fight for Her Life (Part 2). We highly recommend visiting the blog if you find it difficult to hear stories of trauma or mental health struggles. The blog gives an extensive trauma-informed overview of the episode's contents, as well as a list of potentially triggering content timestamps (also listed below).
Takeaways
- Military culture and peer pressure has lasting psychological effects. - Alcohol abuse normalization creates and insulates unsafe environments, especially for those unprepared or influenced by previous traumas. - MST survivors face systemic silencing and deep betrayal. - Personal grief and loss amplify the mental health crisis among service members. - Human trafficking within the military requires urgent investigation and accountability. -Advocacy, peer support, and community are critical tools for healing. Institutional reform and trauma-informed care are essential for true change.
This episode contains a few references to news articles and books that are listed below: - KeyFit (https://www.keyfitllc.com/) - The Pink Berets (https://thepinkberets.org/) - The Turning Point (https://www.theturningpoint.org/) - Wounds to Wisdom: Healing Through Veteran and First Responder Narratives (https://www.thepowerofourstory.com/) - Boulder Crest (https://bouldercrest.org/) - 1 in 6 (https://1in6.org/)- Military One Source (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/all-the-ways/)
Chapters 00:00 Cultural Shifts and New Deployments 02:13 Alcohol Culture in the Military 03:58 The Cycle of Trauma and Survival 04:29 MST and Betrayal 07:36 Confronting Systemic Issues in Military Culture 09:07 The Harsh Reality of Trafficking in Military Culture 10:48 Struggles with Empathy and Protection 11:06 The Impact of Devastating Personal Loss 16:06 The Journey to Healing and Therapy 17:57 Advocacy and Empowerment in the Military 24:06 Finding Grace and Support in Healing 24:59 Creating Unity and Empowerment through KeyFit 31:40 Introduction to Lakeydra’s Journey 31:52 Heroism and Outreach: Lakeydra’s Impact 32:19 Supporting the Podcast and Amplifying Voices 32:45 Looking Ahead: Future Conversations on MST 32:51 Next Week's Guest: Founder of the Gender Violence Institute Trigger Warning Timestamps 01:18 - 02:29 Alcohol abuse and toxic drinking culture 02:32 - 02:50 MST and military inaction 02:54 - 04:10 Peer pressure, bullying, isolation 04:23 - 05:39 SA, betrayal, victim blaming 05:42 - 06:18 Further assault, deepening trauma 06:25 - 07:23 Depression, reluctance to disclose 07:44 - 08:18 Human trafficking, leadership complicity 08:24 - 10:19 "Juicy Girls," survivor guilt 11:02 - 14:10 Sister’s death, harassment, self-harm, suicidal thoughts 17:34 - 18:39 Supporting another MST victim, starting advocacy 19:31 - 20:34 Survivor silencing, victim blaming 26:08 - 26:43 Transition out of service, overdose mention, ongoing healing More Resources: Need help processing or want to share your story? Join our supportive community on Facebook:
The Silenced Voices of MST
The Silenced Voices of MST podcast empowers MST survivors with resources, community, and better access to healing. Our mission is to break the silence surrounding Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and empower survivors to share their stories. This groundbreaking podcast sheds light on the untold experiences within our Armed Forces community, both among service members, veterans, and their loved ones. MST can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, rank, race, physical strength, or gender. Join us as we amplify the voices of survivors, raise awareness about MST, and spark crucial conversations for change. Our content includes MST survivor interviews, offering resources, and nurturing a community that truly understands trauma. Subscribe to our show, leave a review, and be part of a movement that creates a brighter future for all who have served. You are not alone. Together, we can make a difference.
Visit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com
Social media: bio.site/silencedvoicesmst
