Every Veterans Day, we honor the incredible strength, courage, and sacrifices of those who’ve served. But there’s a part of many veterans’ stories that rarely gets talked about—and it often starts long before basic training, before enlistment, before the uniform ever comes into the picture. It starts in childhood. During her psychology internship at a VA hospital, Jacqueline Davis-Wright helped co-facilitate a sexual trauma therapy group for female veterans. She expected conversations to center around military sexual trauma (MST). Instead, she found that many women wanted (to some degree needed) to talk about trauma that happened much earlier in life… and they were far from alone.1
The more you look at the research, the clearer it becomes: childhood trauma is incredibly common among veterans. Studies estimate that 26–85% of veterans have experienced some form of childhood trauma. In a national sample, 1 in 5 veterans reported childhood physical or sexual abuse. Among women veterans, as many as 27–49% reported childhood sexual abuse, and 35% reported childhood physical abuse. These numbers are heavy. But what they tell us is important: many veterans were fighting battles long before they entered military service.1
Childhood trauma doesn’t quietly dissolve as people grow older. It can affect how veterans think, feel, cope, and connect… even decades later. Research shows that early trauma is linked to: higher rates of depression, PTSD, and suicidality; more complex symptoms when multiple traumas have occurred; and greater healthcare use and poorer physical health (especially among women veterans). Veterans who experienced both childhood sexual abuse and combat were three times more likely to contemplate suicide. 1
This Veterans Day, we can honor veterans by expanding the way we think about their experiences and the care they deserve. Here’s how:1
- Ask about childhood trauma: Clinicians and providers ask as part of a routine assessment.
- Advocate for legislation: Support therapeutic provisions and resources to veterans.
- Spread awareness: Talk about the role of childhood trauma and start a conversation.
- Remember that healing takes time. Complex trauma requires patience, skill, and space.
Veterans Day is about honoring those who served. But true honor means seeing veterans fully… every chapter, every struggle, every victory. Some veterans survived childhood abuse long before they survived combat. Some learned to be strong far earlier than the military ever required them to be. And some carry invisible wounds that started in childhood and grew heavier over time. If you are interested in becoming an Advocate for the Innocent member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit https://advocatefortheinnocent.org/memberships/.