Sexual assault in the military is a difficult topic, but San Antonio survivors said they found their voices and want anyone with an ear to hear them.

The number of sexual assaults are on the rise in three of the four branches, which is why a San Antonio nonprofit created an entire symposium on the topic.

For the first time, Justine Castoreno shared her story out loud.

“Because I feel like every soul, every human has a purpose in life, and this is my purpose,” Castoreno said.

Castoreno served three years in the Navy from 2015 to 2018. She said she was honorably discharged early because of the abuse she endured.

Castoreno had experiences that fall under the umbrella of military sexual trauma. Being a female on a ship without proper leadership created an unsafe environment.

She has an i

See Full Page