March 11, 2011 > Service Women's Alert Service Women's Alert By Denny Stein If you are a woman and have served or are serving in the United States Military, be aware that a Federal class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of service women who are survivors of MST, military sexual trauma, i.e. sexual assault or rape while serving their country. This lawsuit, and its underlying human stories and faces, has garnered huge media attention on both regular and cable broadcast channels. The Service Women's Action Network (SWAN.org) is spearheading the effort to hold the Armed Forces accountable for rape, sexual assault and harassment. Rape occurs in the military at double the rate of the civilian population, while one-third of women veterans - at least - were victims of rape or sexual assault while serving in the military, according to the Veterans Medical Center. (newschange.org) You can find the entire lawsuit text and how to get involved at swan.org, or go to facebook.com/servicewomen. For further insight, read "The Lonely Soldier, The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq" by Helen Benedict, the book that started the ball rolling. If you or someone you know has undergone or is suffering from MST, please find out more about how you can get help, or be a part of this action.