March 6, 2025

By Ramona du Houx

AUGUSTA, ME – In a VA national screening program when participants were asked if they have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) they found one in three women and 1 in 50 men responded affirmatively.

Before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, Maine State Rep. Morgan Rielly, (D-Westbrook) introduced two bills, LD 662 and LD 665 to support veteran survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) and harassment on March 5, 2025.

A study by the Veterans Administration (VA) of Iraq or Afghanistan veterans found that those who experienced military sexual trauma were twice as likely to become homeless.

“Women veterans are the fastest growing sector of the population who are becoming homeless. We swear an oath to defend the Constitution from any threat domestic or foreign. When doing so we put our lives on the line for our country – our democracy,” said Rebecca Cornell du Houx, Sisters in Arms Center Executive Director. “No woman who takes the oath takes it without realizing the implications. Too many don’t expect the domestic enemy to be in their own unit. Until the day MST becomes history, we will need safe places of refuge for these victims. Homes where they can heal with professional help available. The Sisters in Arms Center is that sanctuary here in Augusta, but we need a sustainable financial stream to do our job and provide these brave women with what they deserve from our country.”

LD 662 would provide funding for an executive director, house manager, an administrative coordinator, a contracted therapist, a National Guard liaison and part time, per diem coverage to better support organizations like the Sisters in Arms Center (SIAC) and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) along with the survivors they support.

The Sisters in Arms Center is a welcoming community where women can receive guidance from licensed professionals who show them how to navigate the trauma they are experiencing within a group, and with assistance from relevant agencies. 

“Military sexual trauma liaisons are necessary to support our veterans and Guard members who are survivors here in Maine,” said Rep. Morgan Rielly. “This is my third time going before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee to request funding. I have been working with advocates and survivors to find a sustainable stream of funding for these crucial positions that can help our veterans navigate through some of the most horrific moments of their lives. I am hopeful that they will finally receive the funding support they need this legislative session.”

There are more than 10,000 women veterans currently living in Maine. 

“I think if people knew the disheartening stories of assault that happened to these women while they were in the service, I think that they wouldn’t hesitate to fund a position so that they could get help, ” added Cornell du Houx.

Researchers also now identify MST as the biggest factor driving a more than 60 percent increase in suicide rates among women veterans since 2001.

Previous legislation backed the creation of two sexual trauma liaisons at community-based organizations in the state, but funding never came to fruition.

“Many veterans, specifically women who have been assaulted, have been expecting the state to provide this funding in the budget since June, 2023 after the recommendation from the Governor’s Advisory Council. This is almost two years of desperately waiting,” said Former Maine State Rep. Ben Collings, during his testimony. “Some of these women are homeless, many suffering from substance abuse and mental health, often these assaulted veterans battle PTSD and thoughts of suicide. They gave us all and yet have experienced the cruelest of realities. It is for them I kindly ask the leaders of Maine to act now and immediately include this funding in the baseline budget.”

There are some existing resources for the state’s active duty reserve and veteran uniform military who have faced MST. However, it is limited and doesn’t cover all their needs.

Rep. Mathew David McIntyre (R-Lowell), the bill’s co-sponsor, said he believes the funding in this bill is both nominal and reasonable to improve the portfolio of support available to victims.

LD 665 would enhance support and protection for survivors by allowing military protective orders to be used as evidence when a survivor is seeking a temporary protection from abuse order.

The Sisters in Arms Center (SIAC) is a safe haven for women veterans who have found themselves homeless out of no fault of their own. SIAC provides housing and help for them and their children. 

Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) represents and supports Maine’s sexual assault support centers.

Rep. Rielly is serving his third term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He represents a portion of Westbrook.