User talk:Empowerleaders

Silver Lining Villages (SLV) ) is an agency that offers a variety of programs, service and events for female and male veterans who have experienced Military sexual trauma (MST), the term that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses to refer to unwanted sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service. Silver Living Villages is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that also provides combat stress, family and reintegration work for veterans.

History
Silver Linings Villages was formed in 2012 in response to the growing problem of sexual assault and harassment in the United States Military. Twenty-five years of Pentagon studies, task force recommendations and congressional hearings, rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment continued to occur at alarming rates year after year.

Legislation
In 2004, the Department of Defense indicated the need for a powerful and centralized organization to address the issue which eventually transitioned into the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO).

Mission of SAPRO
“The Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) serves as the single point of authority for program accountability and oversight, in order to enable military readiness and reduce -- with a goal to eliminate -- sexual assault from the military.”

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acknowledged and approved treatment for sexual trauma. The VA categorizes services under mental health.

Post Traumatic Stress
Active duty soldiers and veterans who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) are at a higher risk for Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and more likely to experience depression, anxiety, sleep and eating disorders and substance abuse. . One out of every five women in the military report experiencing sexual assault. While rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment are strongly associated with a wide range of mental health conditions for both men and women veterans, they are the leading causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women veterans, while combat trauma is still the leading cause of PTSD among men. Sexual violence is often a risk factor for homelessness among women veterans, along with substance abuse, and the leading cause female veterans have difficulty finding work after discharge.

Treatment
The Wounded Warrior Project did a study of its alumni and found that "almost half of the respondents indicated accessing care through VA for MST related conditions was 'Very difficult'. And of those who did not seek VA care, 41% did not know they were eligible for such care." "Submission for the Record of Wounded Warrior Project".

More than 85,000 veterans sought treatment last year in connection with military sexual trauma, according to an article by the Associated Press. What this means is that above and beyond the cases reported this year or last year, thousands of veterans from decades past are still trying to come to grips with the abuse they suffered while serving.

The treatment of MST can last for the rest of a veteran’s life, according to Joy Ilem, Deputy National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Silver Lining Villages Nonresidential Programs
The Sing Another Song Sam MST retreats are one of various kinds of retreats offered: training in holistic healing methods, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Matrix Reimprinting, Theta Healing, and Pranic healing. Activities also include relaxation exercises such as yoga and tai-chi, nutritional and cooking instruction, Fine Arts therapy including art, poetry and music.

Silver Lining Villages Residential Programs
According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the most effective programs that help veterans are those that coordinate secure housing in a supportive environment, education and support for nutritional needs, and basic physical and mental health care including treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.

Awards
Both community and corporate support is growing as more attention is given to this issue. Verizon Wireless took a major step forward to provide much-needed assistance for these American heroes. SLV, along with the Georgia National Guard was nominated for The National Guard 2014 Sexual Assault Prevention Innovation Award at the Veteran’s Life Skills Academy.