Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Toll Free Number Is Available For Females

The department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding efforts to reach out to women veterans who experienced sexual trauma while serving in the military, according to a news release.

VA recently publicized its national toll-free number, reminding women veterans who need information on sexual trauma counseling and treatment, and filing claims for disability compensation to call VA's toll-free number 1-800-827-1000.

The department activated the number after normal business hours in connection with the November 15 airng of ABC's 20/20 which featured two segments on rape in the military. More than 2,000 calls were received. Although not all were related to sexual trauma, VA staff were able to assist a number of women veterans who needed counseling and referrals to the nearest VA facility or community resource.

Women veterans who call the toll-free number seeking assisstance are routed to the regional office women veteran coordinators who canprovide information and assist in referrals to VA medical centers or Readjustment Counseling Service Veterans Outreach Centers (Vet Centers). Male veterans are referred to the nearest VA facility with a post-traumatic stress disorder program or to the nearest Vet Center.

Legislation signed in 1992 authorized VA to provide priority counseling and treatment to eligible women veterans to overcome trauma resulting from sexual assault, battery or harassment while on active military duty. More recent legislation extended that authority and made it gender- neutral so that VA can provide these services to male and female veterans.