The Consequences of Speaking Out: The Harmful Impact of Negative Reactions on Survivors

Survivors of military sexual violence often face immense challenges when speaking out about their experiences. While breaking the silence can be an empowering step toward healing and justice, the response from others, particularly the chain of command and from other service commissioned support providers, can sometimes be deeply damaging. Negative reactions from professionals, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and other community personnel can exacerbate survivors’ trauma, leaving them feeling unheard, disbelieved, and unsupported. These responses not only harm survivors on an individual level but can also contribute to a broader culture of silence that discourages others from speaking out. The consequences of negative reactions toward survivors, particularly from the military hierachy is a cause for concern. When authority figures doubt survivors, blame them for the assault, or refuse to provide support, they send a dangerous message about the ineffectiveness of formal military support systems. This can lead to feelings of powerlessness, self-blame, and a reluctance to seek further help. In many cases, these negative responses serve to silence survivors, reinforcing a societal pattern in which victims are discouraged from reporting sexual violence. When survivors seek help, they often turn to professionals who are expected to offer support, validation, and practical assistance. However, research within this charity has shown that negative reactions from peers, the miltary police, medical professionals, therapists, and crisis counsellors are all too common. These negative responses can take many forms, including disbelief, victim-blaming, minimisation of the assault, or outright refusal to provide help. For example, survivors who report their in- service sexual assault assaults to the military police may encounter skepticism or even hostility. Some Military Police officers may question the survivor’s credibility, implying that they are exaggerating, misremembering, or fabricating their experience. Others may ask inappropriate or leading questions that shift responsibility onto the survivor, such as “Why were you drinking?” or “Why didn’t you fight back?” These kinds of responses can make survivors feel as though they are on trial, forcing them to defend their own actions rather than receiving the support they need. Similarly, medical professionals and mental health providers may also respond in ways that harm rather than help. A doctor who dismisses a survivor’s injuries or fails to offer compassionate care during a forensic exam can deepen the emotional toll of the assault. Likewise, a therapist who invalidates a survivor’s experience or pressures them to “move on” too quickly may cause additional psychological harm. These interactions can leave survivors feeling abandoned by the very people who are supposed to help them heal. Negative responses from professionals can have profound psychological and emotional consequences for survivors. Many survivors already struggle with feelings of shame, self-blame, and fear, and when they encounter disbelief or blame from those they seek help from, these feelings can become even more intense. Being met with skepticism or indifference can reinforce the harmful internalised belief that they are at fault for their own victimisation. Survivors who are blamed or doubted may also experience a worsening of post-traumatic stress symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Research has shown that survivors who face negative social reactions are more likely to struggle with long-term mental health challenges than those who receive positive and supportive responses. The added trauma of being dismissed or mistreated by professionals can compound the original trauma of the assault, making recovery even more difficult. In addition to emotional harm, negative reactions can lead survivors to question the effectiveness of seeking help at all. If a survivor’s first experience with an in-service support provider is a negative one, they may be far less likely to reach out for assistance in the future. This reluctance can prevent survivors from accessing crucial resources, further isolating them in their suffering. One of the most insidious consequences of negative reactions is that they serve to silence survivors. When a survivor speaks out and is met with doubt, blame, or rejection, they may feel as though their voice does not matter. They may internalise the idea that talking about the assault only leads to more pain, leading them to withdraw from seeking further support or justice. Survivors who initially break the silence may quickly reconsider their decision if they are met with dismissive or harmful reactions. Some may even be explicitly told to stop speaking about the assault whether by legal professionals who believe the case is not worth pursuing or by family members who fear stigma. These messages can make survivors feel as though they have no choice but to remain silent, effectively shutting down their ability to advocate for themselves or seek justice. The silencing effect of negative reactions extends beyond individual survivors; it also affects the broader societal discourse on sexual violence. When survivors witness others being doubted, blamed, or ignored, they may decide that speaking out is not worth the risk. This contributes to a culture in which sexual violence is underreported, perpetrators go unpunished, and survivors are left to navigate their trauma alone. The failure of formal support systems to adequately respond to survivors also has serious implications for justice. When survivors report their assaults, they often hope to see their perpetrators held accountable. However, negative responses from law enforcement and legal professionals frequently create barriers to justice. For instance, those in positions of authority may discourage survivors from pursuing charges, suggesting that their case is unlikely to succeed or that going through the legal process will be too difficult. The legal profession may be reluctant to take on cases they perceive as “weak,” particularly if the survivor was drinking, knew the perpetrator, or lacks physical evidence. These responses can make survivors feel as though the system is stacked against them, leading many to abandon legal action altogether. This kind of institutional betrayal, where the very systems meant to protect survivors instead contribute to their harm, can have lasting effects on trust in both legal and support structures. If survivors feel that the criminal justice system does not take their experiences seriously, they may be less likely to report future incidents or advocate for policy changes. This, in turn, allows perpetrators to continue committing acts of sexual violence with impunity. To mitigate the harmful effects of negative reactions, it is crucial to improve the way the military responds to survivors. Professionals who interact with survivors must be trained to offer trauma-informed care, which prioritises validation, empathy, and survivor autonomy. Trauma-informed approaches recognise the profound impact of sexual violence and seek to minimise further harm by providing a supportive and nonjudgmental response. For veteran surviviors, Police officers, medical personnel, therapists, and other professionals should receive comprehensive training on how to interact with military sexual trauma survivors in a way that promotes healing rather than additional trauma. This includes believing survivors, avoiding victim-blaming language, and providing clear and supportive pathways for accessing justice and care. Additionally, systemic reforms are needed to ensure that survivors have access to legal and medical assistance without fear of being dismissed or mistreated. Policies that hold professionals accountable for harmful responses, as well as initiatives that prioritise survivor-centered approaches to justice, can help create an environment where survivors feel safe speaking out. While speaking out about sexual violence can be a crucial step toward healing and justice, negative reactions from formal support services can create significant barriers for survivors. When professionals doubt, blame, or dismiss survivors, they not only cause additional trauma but also contribute to a culture of silence that discourages others from seeking help. These responses can have lasting psychological effects, undermine trust in support systems, and create obstacles to justice. To break this cycle, it is essential to foster a culture in which survivors are believed, supported, and empowered. By addressing the harmful impact of negative reactions and implementing trauma-informed practices, we can help ensure that survivors receive the care and validation they deserve. Only by changing the way the military and service charities respond to sexual violence can we begin to dismantle the barriers that keep survivors silent and powerless.

Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist