+877.955.5247 SAFE HELPLINE @ www.PROTECTOURDEFENDERS.com, where you can also learn about the impactful documentary film addressing the veteran suicide epidemic and the incredible stories of women warriors.
Stevi
"When I go on the news or on a show and I'm interviewed, everyone says, 'You're a military vet, we want to hear your story!' But I'm not sure they actually want to hear it. My story is about military sexual trauma, specifically about being raped and sexually harassed. That's the story I want to share because other women in the military need to hear it."
Navy Veteran Stevi has competed in the last two seasons of American Ninja Warrior. As an incredibly accomplished athlete and public figure, Stevi also battles with substance abuse. Most recently, another DUI has led her to court-mandated inpatient treatment at the VA in Los Angeles. During her service, she faced harassment and a violent assault, and she believes that the conditions at the VA facility, where she currently resides, reflect the trauma she experienced in the military.
There are very few women at the facility, and the limited services available make it even more challenging. Furthermore, female veterans like Stevi deal with daily harassment from other residents, guards, and even the program's counselor.
Sara
"The military has long been perceived as a man's world, and women are now finding their place within it. The structure was predominantly built around men, leaving female veterans to navigate their roles in this environment."
Sara is a medic in the Minnesota National Guard.
She led her unit, deployed to Afghanistan just before the US withdrawal in 2021. When a suicide bomber struck at the Kabul Airport perimeter, resulting in the tragic loss and injury of many—including 13 US Marines—Sara was a first responder on the scene. She now copes with PTSD stemming from her service and is also a survivor of military sexual trauma (MST).
Let that all sink in for a moment. A female veteran from a small town in the USA found herself deep in the midst of the chaos, caring for her fellow battle buddy.
AMANDA
"I knew from the outset that I was at a huge disadvantage, being a woman in the military." Combat vet Amanda Tallman, who served as an MK19 gunner in Afghanistan, left the military in 2018. She now lives with serious physical disabilities resulting from injuries sustained during her deployment. Additionally, Amanda is on a journey of recovery from the psychological scars of her military sexual trauma inflicted by one of her trusted battle buddies—a story that reflects the challenges faced by many female veterans.
