Earlier this year, Alexandria joined with Congressman Jason Crow, a combat veteran, on CBS to tell their stories of how they experienced the events of January 6.
And today on Veterans Day, as we thank each of our nation’s veterans, active service members, and their families, we want to share these stories with you again in an effort to support all survivors and deconstruct the stigma around trauma.
309 days ago, our nation’s Capitol came under attack. That was the big story, and inside that big story lies thousands of individual accounts, just as valid and important as the other.
Congressman Jason Crow shared that his experience of the events brought back memories of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, while Alexandria shared that she experienced the events through the lens of being a survivor of sexual assault. They both agreed that there’s a legacy to trauma, and that it compounds. Here’s what Congressman Crow had to say:
“What is important to understand about trauma, whether it’s combat trauma or sexual assault trauma, is that it is outside the realm of normal human experience. And everybody is impacted, whether they know it or not. And they’re impacted in different ways, on different timelines. And we are not good as a society with dealing with trauma.
One of the biggest problems is the stigma society puts on survivors. And it prevents survivors from coming forward and getting the help they need. And it's killing people. We have over 20 veterans a day that die by suicide because of the stigma that prevents them from getting help. And other survivors deal with that stigma too. And it has to stop.
I never imagined that I would be put back in that scenario of being an Army Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan where I would feel fearful for my life or having to fight for my life, but that’s what happened on January 6.”
Telling our stories, especially right after the event transpired, is an important part of healing. And this applies to all survivors. Telling your story allows you to move through the emotions, revisit and process that fear, and move past it.
Alexandria decided to share her story about surviving sexual assault, because when survivors walk into a room they bring their whole selves. When we have new experiences, we respond and experience them with the entirety of our life story. And her experience with sexual assault informed her experience on January 6.
Alexandria and Congressman Crow shared their stories because they want to start to destigmatize trauma and getting help. When survivors have their experiences minimized, it’s extremely damaging. So many survivors around the country don’t get the help they need because they internalize people telling them that their trauma isn’t “big enough”.
If you are a survivor of trauma, need help and have a story to tell, please reach out. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 to help you access help right now: 800-273-8255
As we have seen time and time again, the trauma of service impacts every veteran differently, and we must strengthen the support we offer to those who have committed their heroism to defending our country.
Alexandria is committed to improving the care we provide for those who have served. This year, Alexandria and Democrats in Congress fought for billions of dollars in funding for our veterans: $2.2 billion for homelessness prevention programs, including support for veterans reentering the workforce; $2.2 billion for expanded services at VA facilities; and $97.6 billion for boosts to veterans healthcare, including opioid abuse and suicide prevention programs.
We can, and must, continue this work by increasing funding for the VA, improving access to mental health resources, and fighting for the women and gender-nonconforming service members who face healthcare discrimination.
On all days, but especially today, we thank all military members and their families for their service.
Team AOC
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