For Women · Hope Through Valor
Sexual Harassment of Women
You deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard. This page is for women who are serving, have served, or are finding their footing after service. Go at your pace. You are not required to share, report, or decide anything today.
If you are in immediate danger or feel you may harm yourself, get to a safe place and contact local emergency services right away. For crisis options and what to expect, visit Crisis Support.
What sexual harassment can feel like
Sexual harassment can show up as unwelcome comments, jokes, attention, messages, or behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or less respected. It can happen in a unit, a workplace, a training setting, online, or anywhere in daily life.
You might feel unsure whether it "counts." You might doubt yourself, feel embarrassed, or tell yourself to just push through. Those reactions are common, and none of them mean you did something wrong. How it affected you matters, and support without judgment is available if you want it.
If what you experienced was more severe, our MST (Military Sexual Trauma) page offers focused support.
How it can affect you
Everyone responds differently. You may notice some of these, all of them, or none. There is no right way to react.
Emotional
Struggling with these? See PTSD Resources, Depression & Anxiety Support, or Difficulty Expressing Emotions.
Immediate safety and boundaries
Your safety and comfort come first. Choose only what feels right in this moment. Small steps count.
1. Move to a safer setting
If you can, step into a space where you feel more at ease: another room, a public area, or somewhere you are near other people.
2. Ground with both feet on the floor
Press both feet into the floor. Notice the support under you. Breathe in slowly, then let the exhale be longer than the inhale. Repeat a few times. For more grounding tools, visit PTSD Resources.
3. Contact one trusted person
Choose one person who listens without judging. You can simply say, "I had a hard day and don't want to be alone." Support without judgment is available when you're ready.
4. Set one boundary
A boundary can be short and calm: "I'm not comfortable with that." You can also limit contact, leave a conversation, or choose not to respond. Only do what feels safe. Learn more about setting boundaries without judgment.
Not sure where to begin? Visit Mental Health Support Without Judgment.
Documenting and seeking support at your pace
There is no deadline on healing and no required order of steps. What you do with your experience is your decision.
- Write it down only if it feels safe. Dates, places, and what was said can help you remember later, and some people find it clarifying. Keep notes somewhere private. Skipping this is also okay.
- Reporting is your choice. Options and processes differ by situation and setting. You can learn about them in general terms first, without committing to anything.
- Information here is general. It is not legal advice. For questions about rights or processes, a qualified professional can help.
Trusted-person and professional support
You do not have to carry this alone. Support can come from a friend, a family member, a chaplain, a counselor, or a healthcare provider. You can share as little or as much as you like.
- Prepare one provider question. For example: "What support is available for stress after a difficult experience at work?"
- Take it one step at a time. A first conversation can be short. You can ask to pause or stop at any point.
- Look for someone who listens first. You deserve care that is respectful and unhurried.
VA and military resources
Whether you are on active duty, in the Reserve, or a veteran, there are resources built to help. Our pages explain what exists and how to approach it, in plain language and at your own speed.
- VA Support: how to reach VA care and benefits
- Military & Veterans Resources: a broader directory of help
- Community Partners: trusted organizations beyond the military and VA
Women's peer and community support
Sometimes it helps most to hear from someone who understands the culture, the pressure, and the silence. Peer and community spaces can offer connection without pressure to explain everything.
- Listen first. You do not have to speak until you are ready.
- Share only what you choose, and leave whenever you need to.
- Start at For Women to find women-centered resources across Hope Through Valor.
MST-related support
Military sexual trauma (MST) is a term for sexual harassment or assault experienced during military service. If anything on this page feels close to your experience, support is available, and you decide whether, when, and how to use it. You do not need to give details to explore these resources.
Recovery and transition
Healing is not a straight line, and it does not have to wait for a perfect moment. Whether you are still serving, separating, or building a life after service, steadier days are possible.
- Take one manageable next step. A walk with a trusted friend, a good night's rest, or a single phone call all count.
- Be patient with transitions. Changes in duty, career, or identity can bring stress to the surface. Explore Transition.
- Care for the whole picture. Loss and heavy feelings are real: Grief Support. If substances have become a way to cope, Substance Use Disorders offers judgment-free information.
Crisis support
If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or are thinking about harming yourself, reach out for help now. If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. For more crisis options and guidance, visit our Crisis Support page. You are not a burden, and you do not have to wait until things get worse.