Founder and Director of VetWow, Ms. Susan Avila-Smith is
a sought-after media guest who has spoken to international audiences about the
challenges faced by survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) - sexual
harassment, assault and rape while serving on active duty. From VAMC health care
to the VARO benefits system, she has discussed both their benefits and failures
from the perspective of MST victims. Currently, she trains other advocates to
help with this work. And realizing that American service personnel's needs were
too often being ignored by the military and the government, she formed VetWow;
the leading grassroots non-partisan organization, which addresses the needs of
American service members and veterans.
"I had attended a Homeless Veterans meeting in October 1987 where I met Makeda
Nandi, a Social Worker from King County Veterans Program, who encouraged me to
further pursue my interest in helping women veterans. Once I had helped the
first person, the word spread - and my volunteer 'career' began."
Ms. Avila-Smith has spoken about gender issues and sexuality in the military to
many different audiences. She has been featured in newspaper and magazine
articles, in video on the web, and in film documentaries. She has leadership
experience; and brings a strong sense of fairness, drive, and justice to the
active duty and veterans community. She personally supports and guides her
fellow veterans; providing them with resources for medical services, help with
VA claims, and psychological counseling; as well as recommending policy change
to officials. She continues to educate the public about MST.
"My passion for helping active duty military personnel and veterans with
Military Sexual Trauma, and a few with other issues, has given me a new focus. I
try to be the voice that survivors have lost when I speak to the media about
MST. My primary concern for any veteran I work with is that they feel safe."
"I work with the media to educate the public about MST. I do so in the hope that
attention will bring improved help to the increasing numbers of Active Duty
Personnel and Veterans who have been traumatized. In concert with congressional
leaders and their staffs, I work to get real support for active duty soldiers
and sailors at military bases both here and abroad."
"I am a veteran, a survivor of Domestic Violence (DV) and MST. I did what was
right - within the restrictions of an illegal order of silence from my command.
But I found I was in the biggest battle of my life. There was no support for me.
I felt powerless. I realized I would have to take on the Army while in the Army,
where the Army had all the power and made all the rules. I reported the assaults
and provided evidence, but was thwarted continuously for seventeen months by my
Command. Finding I had this experience in common with other women veterans also,
beside the encouragement of Makeda Nandi, led me to the idea of creating VetWow.
"
VetWow serves all survivors of MST; it provides direct peer counseling to active
duty women and men who have experienced this trauma. It connects veterans with
therapists and Veterans Service Officers who can help process their VA claims.
VetWow advocates with members of Congress for changes in the armed forces that
will prevent MST, and for improvements in VA systems to help victims. VetWow
also provides services to veterans for MST-related conditions.
She has participated as an active member of the veterans community since 1995,
specializing in development of VA benefit claims for victims of MST.
Born in San Jose, California, Ms. Avila-Smith received her Bachelor of Science
from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She served four years
in the United States Army as a Chinese Linguist in the field of Military
Intelligence. Susan was Honorably Discharged . She speaks English, Chinese,
Italian, French, Spanish and Swahili. She earned badges for weapons
qualifications of Grenades and M-16 rifles as well as National Service Medal,
Good Conduct Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
"I was sent to Fort Jackson, SC, for Basic Training as a Specialist (E-4) at the
age of 34. Having had college training, world travel, and work experience
started me off with rank - an issue for every Drill Sergeant I encountered."
In 1992, Ms. Avila-Smith experienced sexual assault by her medical team after
sinus surgery at Darnell Hospital Ft. Hood, Texas. Later in her tour of duty she
was subjected by her violent ex-husband to repeated physical and sexual
assaults, resulting in the murder of her unborn child; and then to more than two
years of stalking. This occurred with her Command's knowledge. Her Command
protected her ex-husband at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, by telling civilian
police he was no longer stationed there. Felony kidnapping and assault charges
failed in court, leading to his conviction for misdemeanor charges that were not
enforced by the judge.
"I was betrayed by my Chain of Command. I was never put on the promotion list.
My Personnel File was 'misplaced.' I filed an Inspector General's (IG)
complaint. The IG would not accept it. I was followed by U.S. Army Criminal
Investigation Command (CID) who were trying to establish a fictitious case of
'Adultery' and who on multiple occasions attempted to charge me. During this
time, I followed the military rules, regulations and procedures assiduously, in
order to avoid other false charges. I learned my integrity was greater than that
of my entire Chain of Command."
"My experiences were horrific and long term. Fifteen years out of the Army, I
still continue to have problems related to PTSD. Telling my story and the
similar stories of other veterans help those with MST to understand the issue.
The regulations that allow people to fall through the cracks at DoD and VA need
to be fixed. I am proud of the fact that I continue to help bring some measure
of justice to other survivors, and I am grateful for the opportunity afforded by
VetWow."
" Since the establishment of VetWow in 1996, I have assisted more than 2,200 men
and women victims of MST with their VA claims for benefits as well as helped
attend to the needs of their families. VetWow is the nation's oldest support
system for survivors of MST. It provides 17 Yahoo groups for veterans with MST,
showing by example how veterans can get the care they are due.
"Service members ought to feel safe with their peers while deployed overseas, as
well as in the country they defend."
Each year hundreds of servicemen and women are sexually assaulted by their
colleagues and supervisors while serving. Far too many face constant
humiliation, re-victimization, and lose their jobs because they report assaults,
as required by the regulations. The perpetrators far too often continue their
careers; and, more likely than not, any charges for rape or assault "disappear,"
(are expunged) from the record. The term "Command Rape," meaning the rape by a
commander of a subordinate, has been added to MST vocabulary recently, because
it has become so common.
"I do not work for anyone, and purposely keep myself free of rules and
regulations that could hamper my ability to get positive results for veterans.
My sole objective is to affect changes that will benefit veterans."
Veterans of all ages and eras have had difficult or unproductive experiences
with VA hospitals, Vet Centers and the VA claims system. In too many cases those
experiences led them to give up on the VA, and in some cases their lives.
Mistreatment and neglect, or just incorrect information encountered at VA
facilities is often reason enough for traumatized veterans to fall through the
cracks. The inability to get help can result in further problems like eating
disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, homelessness, and/or suicide.
MST survivors who have already been mistreated by their military Command may be
re-traumatized by harassment or mistreatment at VA facilities. A Federal Mandate
requires that VAMC employees be trained to provide victims of MST with specific
information about
VA Compensation for MST, unlike any other VA service connected disability claim.
Yet, VA fails to train all employees, including those who work on claims.
Failures like these contribute to the backlog in VA Claims, reported to be near
one million.
"In fact, virtually all the veterans I have worked with have said that DoD and
VA causes more stress than the sexual assault itself."
Working with officials of the DoD; including the Pentagon as well as the
Departments of the Army, Air Force and Navy; the White House; the Congress; the
VA; and the Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Avila-Smith promotes justice,
advocacy, health care, and safety for those with MST. Her clients range in age
from young adults to the geriatric population, and include women, pregnant or
with children - many with psychiatric disorders and/or substance dependence.
"Commanders at an O-3 level should not be in the position of Judge and Jury in a
rape case. Over time, and with limited experience 0-3's have changed Rape from a
Military 'Hanging Offense' to that of a letter of reprimand with perhaps a small
fine. It is extremely rare for perpetrators to be held accountable for their
crimes; while survivors of MST have their lives, families, and careers destroyed
forever."
Project Examples
Advocated for soldier raped then abandoned in Kuwait, obtained local care and
transportation to return to the US to her family. Provided housing while
handling International media relations to include featuring the story on
Dateline NBC. Assisted soldier in obtaining an Honorable medical discharge from
active duty and then 100% VA benefits.
Educated and trained advocates in maneuvering the VA and Social Security
Disability systems to obtain benefits for veterans. Developed materials to guide
veterans from the application to receipt of benefits.
Successfully exposed multiple sex offenders in three jobs where they had access
to and abused women veterans, resulting in their replacement.
Successfully mediated a Sexual Harassment claim for a Veterans Service
Organization employee.
Negotiated Active Duty emergency Administrative Discharges in all services for
MST, with full benefits.
Won difficult benefits claim cases that have lingered for decades within the VA
on various denials and appeals. Able to understand CFR Title 38, legal and
medical journals. Identify and correct mistakes made by VA health care
providers, adjudicators and attorneys. Successfully obtained benefits for two
MST clients who fought and waited for seventeen years, and another for fourteen.
Provided financial planning opportunities to veterans who receive settlements of
$100,000 or more.
Successfully challenged and changed VAMC/VARO VISN policies and procedures by
persistent education.
Found PTSD Service Dogs, and funding to help disabled veterans.
Through media, advocated for women victims of MST during the Air Force Academy
rape scandal and victims of MST and DV at Fort Bragg.
Fourteen years of managing more than 2,700 female and 30 male clients at various
stages of recovery from MST. Fifteen years personal experience seeking care,
support, and benefits within the VA system for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
related to MST and DV, to include all options. Represented claimants before the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Discharge Review Boards and
Boards for the Correction of Military Records.
Continuing my mission to link active duty service personnel and veterans with
information on face book.
Teaching and Presentations
Has conducted over twenty lectures, workshops, retreats and seminars on topics
related to MST/PTSD and VA benefits law, including Veterans and Active Duty
Medical Claims, violence and suicide assessment, available VA psychiatric
treatments, competency in personal financial matters, Representative Payee
issues, Social Security and QTC psychiatric disability evaluations, Service Dogs
and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as sexual harassment.
Academy Women Annual presentations include Understanding Gender Bias, and MST -
Needs versus Reality.
"I trained Laura Watterson for nearly a year. She testified before the House
Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Military Sexual Trauma. She and I
worked on her statement, and she was selected from 2,000 applicants to testify.
She had not left her bedroom for many months prior to this event."
Congressional Inquiries into Sexual Assault in the Military, Article 32 Hearings
Ft. Hood and Ft. Lewis, Medical Boards, training for Civilian and Government
Healthcare Providers and Veterans Service Officers. Congressional Women's
Caucus. Oregon and Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Active Duty and
Women Veterans Conferences.
Clients
Caseload includes men, women, transgendered and under age recruits abused by
military recruiters and active duty personnel. Clients come from Army, Navy, Air
Force, Coast Guard, Marines and encompass a span of over 75 years of service.
Represents clients worldwide, guiding MST victims, and their families to
transition them to safety.
"Few people who enlist in the armed forces realize the extent to which sexual
trauma (sexual harassment, assault and rape) occurs in the military. Fewer
people know that MST affects men as well as women."
Ms. Avila-Smith understands how MST can affect a service member's life. She also
understands that seeking help from the VA for MST/PTSD can re-traumatize the
victims. VetWow can advise and guide veterans to heal and empower themselves
with the personal decisions they make.
Current Projects
Speaker, 2010-2011 International Programs, UW Comparative History of Ideas,
Clowes Center for the Study of Conflict and Dialogue
Training - VA Benefits and Claims for Seattle Attorneys.
Chain Camera Pictures - Documentary, Military Sexual Trauma.
Panelist, California Psychological Association Convention, Alliant International
University.
Speaking Tour with "Female Faces of War" Documentary.
National Geographic - Photo Essay on MST.
Benefitingveterans.org - Podcasts, Video instruction with Jessica "Kris" Kenyon.
Packparachute.org* - Advocate Training.
National Center for PTSD Clinical Training Program.
Mentors
Dr. Irene Trowell-Harris, Director WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH STRATEGIC HEALTH CARE
GROUP
Dr. Patricia Hayes, CHIEF CONSULTANT, WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH STRATEGIC HEALTH
CARE GROUP
Dr. Cynthia Padden-Stoddard, Psychiatry & Neurology
Dr. Bridget Cantrell, Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
Dr. Tom Schumacher, PTSD Program Director, Washington Department of Veterans
Affairs
Lourdes "Alfie" Alvarado-Ramos, Deputy Director Washington Department of
Veterans Affairs
Gloria Grace, National Center for PTSD (Retired)
BG Pat Foote, (Retired)
Denise Pritzl, LICSW (Retired)
Joel Estey, Former Director of King Country Veterans Program
Constance Burns, Director, National Association of American Veterans
History
VetWow provides separate group forums for male and female veterans to connect,
share, support and heal with their brothers and sisters-in-arms who struggle
with "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and MST". Veterans from WWII to
Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom work together (and with their providers)
to overcome the multitude of issues and struggles associated with MST.
"When applying for compensation for MST and for conditions related to it, women,
and especially men, face overwhelming odds against being awarded a disability
rating without help. Veterans often feel that the benefits system is rigged
against them. Reports of sexual assault and harassment are often simply ignored
by Commanders, or their records are 'sanitized.' Service members who report
sexual assault or harassment are often threatened by the Investigative Agency,
the perpetrator's friends, or punished by their Command for reporting. The
victims also 'feel' that the VARO will either validate the fact that they were
raped or not. This self induced pressure leads to many in-patient
hospitalizations that could be avoided if VA employees had appropriate
training."
Ms. Avila-Smith has worked with many Government Agencies and Non Profit groups
nationwide, focusing on collaboration with organizations like Academy Women,
Healing Combat Trauma, Monadnok Women and multiple national Veterans Service
Organizations to raise awareness and create outreach to service members.
"Everyone's story was different, yet I noticed patterns surfacing. What was
happening to me was very similar to what was happening to others and had been
going on for a long, long time. "
" Working closely with the Congressional staffers and Senators, we can see the
beginning of the desire for change in military policy regarding sexual assault,
and changes at both the VAMC and VARO."
Every man and woman that volunteers to serve their country should have the right
to serve without fear of being sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, or raped.
And, no one should be reprimanded or punished for reporting the crime of sexual
assault - especially considering "new policies" the DoD has adopted making
victims "now safer than ever before."
Susan extends herself with courage, revealing something few MST survivors can
express. In telling the story of her personal trauma and subsequent struggle,
she opens the door to an insider’s view of the hostile world confronting victims
of MST. Her battles with bureaucrats for rightful recognition and compensation
for her permanent disabilities trigger disgust and anger in those learning about
the reality of the very system that is supposed to care for her and others with
MST.
Ms. Avila-Smith's Active Duty training, her experience of reporting both DV and
MST while in the Military, of being treated for years by Washington State's best
counselors, of obtaining VA Benefits, and her extensive contact with other
Active Duty and Veteran MST survivors as well as her participation in the 60-day
National Center for PTSD's Women's Trauma Recovery Program (WTRP) give her an
inside view of the real issues surrounding MST that is not offered anywhere
else.
"I have changed victim's lives by helping them apply for and win their VA
benefits, and I have had an extraordinary life over the past 15 years because of
it. I have learned much and want to share this knowledge with people who can
teach or do this work. By working on my personal PTSD issues, helping others,
and sharing my experience; I have become healthier."
Since leaving the military, she has been a tireless advocate for veterans, and
women veterans in particular. Ms. Avila-Smith is well-versed on the effects of
PTSD. She speaks to these issues, as well as the increasing rates of suicide,
substance abuse and homelessness among our service members. Her work is funded
out of pocket.
Ms. Avila-Smith is a gardener, equestrian, and art enthusiast; and has traveled
to forty countries. She is a breast cancer survivor, loves a challenge, and
faces all her fears. She and her husband Steve, live happily in Enumclaw,
Washington, when they are not traveling overseas.
* Pack Parachute is a nonprofit organization launched in July, 2009. Kira
Mountjoy-Pepka, an Air Force Academy Cadet, created this 15 years after Susan
Avila-Smith made the decision that VetWow should have a Non-Profit Charity
capability. This charity is dedicated to meeting the financial needs of our
Advocates and MST veterans from all eras and all military branches.
www.packparachute.org
Media Interview
CNN, 360 with Anderson Cooper: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/04/acd.00.html
Good Morning America with Charlie Gibson - Raped in Kuwait
KOMO 4 TV
KING 5 NEWS
KIRO TV - http://www.kirotv.com/news/4428631/detail.html
SEATTLE PI -
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/219613_crusader11.html; http://www.seattlepi.com/local/277262_swift12.html
DEMOCRACY NOW: www.democracynow.org/.../meet_me_in_fort_lewis_protes
BBC INTERNATIONAL
TIME
NPR
MSNBC
NEWSWEEK
THE BOSTON GLOBE
THE DENVER POST - Betrayal in The Ranks
THE GUARDIAN (UK)
BBC INTERNATIONAL
IL MANIFESTO (ITALY)
CORRIERE DELLA SERA - (ITALY)
PEOPLE
REDBOOK - Nominated for Women's Award
VA WATCHDOG - http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfFEB08/nf021108-6.htm
TRUTHOUT: http://www.truthout.org/article/for-female-soldiers-sexual-assault-remains-a-danger
SACRAMENTO BEE: http://www.ncdsv.org/images/AssaultpolicyalteredMilitaryincreasesvictimconfiden.pdf
GI VOICE: http://www.givoice.org/how-pentagon-fails-protect-u-s-troop
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: http://www.mywir
SALON: http:/letters.salon.com/news/feature/2007/03/07/women_in_military/view/index42.html?show=all
OPB: http://news.opb.org/article/3781-what-being-done-about-rape-military/
IN THESE TIMES: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3541/silenced_in_the_barracks/
DAYTON DAILY NEWS: http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/oh/story/opinions/columns/2008/02/04/ddn020508mary.html
ALTERNET: http://www.alternet.org/story/78507/
TRUTHDIG: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080801_sexual_assault_in_the_military_a_dod_cover_up/
SELF MAGAZINE
SEATTLE TIMES
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
USA TODAY
THE NORTHWEST VETERANS NEWSLETTER
AMERICAN LEGION LEGIONNAIRE
REPETITION AND AVOIDANCE QUARTERLY
THE GIFT WITHIN
THE ARMY TIMES
THE ISSAQUAH PRESS
MEDIA CONSULTATIONS:
60 MINUTES
60 MINUTES II
NEW YORK TIMES
THE NEWSHOUR
THE EARLY SHOW
NORTHWEST AFTERNOON
THE BOSTON GLOBE
DENVER POST
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE NBC
20/20
HOUSE MILITARY SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA:
STREET NEWS SERVICE: https:/www.wowowow.com/politics/reported-rapes-us-military-ri
CENTRAL OREGON JOB AND WORKFORCE
Affiliations/Websites
Board Member, King County Veterans - 3 terms
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs - Consultant
Founding Board Member National Association of American Veterans
Women Veterans of America Past Post co-Commander
American Legion Post #204 - Member since 1996
Academy Women - Speaker
Veteran's Independent Enterprises of Washington
Veteran's History Project
Governors Veteran Advisory Committee
Vietnam Veterans of America
African American PTSD Association
USO
Veterans of Modern Warfare
Washington State County Veterans Coalition
WoVEN - Women Veterans Empowerment Network
NSDVA - Member
*
http://www.vetwow.com - Founder and Director
http://www.packparachute.org - Co Founder
http://www.dav.org/ - Life Member
http://NASDVA.net - Advisory Board Member
http://sanctuaryvf.org/?page_id=7 - Provider
http://www.guideon.org/ - Founding Member
http://www.american-veterans.org/ Member
http://peacetags.com/ - Ambassador
http://www.cominghomeproject.net/ - Provider Participant
http://www.healingcombattrauma.org - Consultant
http://my.voiceseducation.org/profile/Su... - Member
http://www.wildirismedia.com/5101.html - Documentary Participant/Consultant
http://www.womensmemorial.org/ - Member
http://www.legion.org/ - Member since 1996
http://www.sanctuaryone.org/ - Provider
http://www.bridgetcantrell.com/ - Colleague
http://www.academywomen.org/index - Member/Speaker
http://www.guideon.org/ - Founding Member
http://cvcwashington.org/ - Participant
http://becausefoundation.org / - Documentary Consultant
http://iava.org/ - Life member, Supporter
http://www.vmwusa.org/ - Supporter
http://www.naavets.org/ - Founding member
http://www.nabvets.com/ - Supporter
http://www.americancoldwarvets.org/ - Member
http://www.lionessthefilm.com/ - Supporter
Documentaries
FEMALE FACES OF WAR - WILD IRIS MEDIA
BECAUSE FOUNDATION - MST