MST – Multiple Map Markers

The Case For Multiple MST Map Markers

The Military Sexual Trauma (MST) map is a geographic tool that allows survivors to anonymously mark locations where they experienced harassment or assault while serving in the military. These markers are far more than just a point on a map.  Each marker represents an individual event with a perpetrator or perpetrators.  Each marker symbolizes a story of betrayal that left an indelible mark on the psyche of a military member. (The impact of these events often extends beyond the survivors, influencing force readiness and the overall health of the military community).

Honoring Each Traumatic Experience

When it comes to trauma, every instance matters. Just as the justice system treats each crime as a distinct case, the MST map recognizes that survivors may have endured multiple forms of harassment or assault. Consolidating these experiences into a single data point would fail to capture the full breadth of suffering.

Imagine a scenario where a person experiences two distinct criminal acts: a home burglary resulting in the loss of cherished possessions, followed by a carjacking where they were threatened at gunpoint. Would these two traumatic events be represented by a single marker on a crime map simply because they happened to the same person? Certainly not. Each incident warrants its own marker to accurately depict the extent of criminal activity in a given area.

Reflecting the Reality of MST

In the same way, the MST map respects the individuality of each survivor’s experience by allowing multiple markers for a single individual. This approach acknowledges that each incident of harassment or assault has its own context, consequences, and legal considerations. This also provides an opportunity to visualize by location the true extent of MST within the military.