Erin Breaks Her Silence As A Navy Commander
12/09/23 • 93 min
Today, we sit down with Navy Commander Erin Elliot, a courageous woman who shares her harrowing experience of sexual assault by a former boyfriend, shedding light on the complexities of reporting assault and the varying support systems she encountered.
Commander Elliot opens up about her traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted after a seemingly ordinary brunch with a former boyfriend and a friend. She shares the challenges, nuances, and emotional toll of each decision, providing valuable insights into the military's response to such incidents.
Commander Elliot contrasts the support she received from different commanders. While one provided unwavering support and empathy, another displayed the complete opposite, highlighting the inconsistency in how the military handles sexual assault cases.
Commander Elliot faced additional stressors such as the loss of a parent, rigorous training, and assuming command responsibilities. Her ability to navigate these challenges serves as a testament to her strength and determination.
Commander Elliot has transformed her experience into a platform for change. She actively engages with Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy groups, military and civilian leaders, and various organizations to raise awareness about the issue. Her testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel in 2019 underscores her commitment to driving systemic change.
Her advocacy work focuses on creating a more supportive environment for survivors, fostering accountability, and challenging existing norms surrounding sexual assault within the armed forces.
Commander Elliot testifying :
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4789779/navy-lieutenant-commander-shares-personal-rape-story
Feedback Survey: https://forms.gle/pkKEv2EgTYJPDm9G8
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone you think it would impact.
To leave Commander Elliot a note of thanks or encouragement, please visit: https://silencedvoicesmst.com/salute-to-survivors
Winners of Starbucks Gift Cards!
Jessie Chen, Asher Skylark, and Charlyne Styles thank you for particpating!
No material on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider, and follow their advice.
If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact 911 or any of the following resources.
Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988
Veterans Crisis Line - 988, then press 1
NAMI - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264),
Intro and Outro by Rich Culbreath - https://www.facebook.com/Lyricist4Lyfe
Podcast Mentor Benter Oluoch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benter-oluoch-ba944a179/
Marketing Advisor Rex Seaton - https://www.instagram.com/rexseaton
Today, we sit down with Navy Commander Erin Elliot, a courageous woman who shares her harrowing experience of sexual assault by a former boyfriend, shedding light on the complexities of reporting assault and the varying support systems she encountered.
Commander Elliot opens up about her traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted after a seemingly ordinary brunch with a former boyfriend and a friend. She shares the challenges, nuances, and emotional toll of each decision, providing valuable insights into the military's response to such incidents.
Commander Elliot contrasts the support she received from different commanders. While one provided unwavering support and empathy, another displayed the complete opposite, highlighting the inconsistency in how the military handles sexual assault cases.
Commander Elliot faced additional stressors such as the loss of a parent, rigorous training, and assuming command responsibilities. Her ability to navigate these challenges serves as a testament to her strength and determination.
Commander Elliot has transformed her experience into a platform for change. She actively engages with Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy groups, military and civilian leaders, and various organizations to raise awareness about the issue. Her testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel in 2019 underscores her commitment to driving systemic change.
Her advocacy work focuses on creating a more supportive environment for survivors, fostering accountability, and challenging existing norms surrounding sexual assault within the armed forces.
Commander Elliot testifying :
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4789779/navy-lieutenant-commander-shares-personal-rape-story
Feedback Survey: https://forms.gle/pkKEv2EgTYJPDm9G8
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone you think it would impact.
To leave Commander Elliot a note of thanks or encouragement, please visit: https://silencedvoicesmst.com/salute-to-survivors
Winners of Starbucks Gift Cards!
Jessie Chen, Asher Skylark, and Charlyne Styles thank you for particpating!
No material on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider, and follow their advice.
If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact 911 or any of the following resources.
Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988
Veterans Crisis Line - 988, then press 1
NAMI - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264),
Intro and Outro by Rich Culbreath - https://www.facebook.com/Lyricist4Lyfe
Podcast Mentor Benter Oluoch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benter-oluoch-ba944a179/
Marketing Advisor Rex Seaton - https://www.instagram.com/rexseaton
Previous Episode
Tammy Breaks Her Silence As An Army Chaplain
In this episode, we hear meet Chaplain Tammy Briggs, a member of the US Army that is dedicated to protecting her fellow soldiers after experiencing varying forms of MST throughout her career.
She shares the impact of MST on her mental health and the outward ripple effect of how that impacted her children and her ability to cope with every day life after returning from deployment. Her heartbreaking insight toward what it is like to deal with "mommy guilt" while also displaying PTSD, depression, and anxiety as soon as she returned home turned her into someone that was unrecognizable to her family members will have you shaking your head with empathy.
She turned toward her faith and understood that getting help with therapy simultaneously was the solution to helping her heal and giving her kids, not only their mother, but the tools and information to prevent them from ever sharing the same experiences.
Her observation of what Army life was like in the 90's serves as a stark reminder of how far we've come in recent years with our understanding and treatment of MST survivors and how to protect our current service members of all ages, ranks, races, and genders.
Episode Feedback Survey - https://forms.gle/LmUSNVqSzv6SYQUD8
Stay tuned for next week's episode featuring a Navy Commander that refused to give up while trying to manage being a leader, the loss of a family member, and a court martial process that dragged on over several years..
Your engagement and sharing can help break the silence and provide solace to those who need it. Thank you for being part of our community. Also our podcast is run thanks to generous donations from our listeners. You can donate here to help us with the costs of keeping this podcast going. Thank you!
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone you think it would impact.
To leave Chaplain Briggs a note of thanks or encouragement, please visit: https://silencedvoicesmst.com/salute-to-survivors
No material on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider, and follow their advice.
If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact 911 or any of the following resources.
Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988
Veterans Crisis Line - 988, then press 1
NAMI - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264),
Intro and Outro by Rich Culbreath - https://www.facebook.com/Lyricist4Lyfe
Podcast Mentor Benter Oluoch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benter-oluoch-ba944a179/
Marketing Advisor Rex Seaton - https://www.instagram.com/rexseaton
Next Episode
Jaye Breaks Her Silence On Military Culture
In this impacrful episode, we sit down with Jaye, a brave survivor who enlisted in the Army in 1978. Throughout her 17-year military career, Jaye faced unimaginable challenges, including rape and constant sexual harassment. Tune in as she candidly shares her journey—navigating life after assault, the impact on her well-being, and the difficulties she encountered while simply being female within the military system.
But Jaye's story doesn't end there. After leaving the Army, she continued her battle, facing the VA to file claims. Jaye's resilience and determination shine through as she discusses the aftermath of her assaults and the hurdles she overcame.
As a passionate advocate, Jaye has been conducting research on military sexual trauma, shedding light on the often overlooked aspects of this pervasive issue. Join us in honoring Jaye's courage, strength, and indomitable spirit as she breaks the silence surrounding military culture and sexual trauma.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone you think it would impact.
To leave Jaye a note of thanks or encouragement, please visit: https://silencedvoicesmst.com/salute-to-survivors
Survey: https://forms.gle/Q2MDTVnGtt72PpUUA
No material on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider, and follow their advice.
If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact 911 or any of the following resources.
Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988
Veterans Crisis Line - 988, then press 1
NAMI - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264),
Intro and Outro by Rich Culbreath - https://www.facebook.com/Lyricist4Lyfe
Podcast Mentor Benter Oluoch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benter-oluoch-ba944a179/
Marketing Advisor Rex Seaton - https://www.instagram.com/rexseaton
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