More than 25,000 female veterans live in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
But fewer than half are enrolled for Veteran Affairs healthcare benefits.
San Diego's VA healthcare system is trying to change that. It held a special event Friday at its Oceanside clinic to encourage more women to sign up.
Jennifer Roberts, VA Women Veterans program manager, said female vets have some unique needs.
For example, Roberts said one in five have been either sexually harassed or sexually assaulted during their years of service.
“And those are just the females that are willing to admit it from the get-go," she explained. "A lot of patients will screen positive after their second appointment, when they feel more comfortable with their provider.”
San Diego's VA offers both individual and group counseling that’s geared toward helping female vets recover from sexual trauma. It offers a host of other healthcare services and has three women’s care clinics in Mission Valley, Oceanside and La Jolla.
Navy veteran Maria Kosiek said it’s not your grandfather’s VA.
"It’s getting more geared to females," she said. "They’re not snubbing you, or putting you last. Now, we’re just as important as the men. And that’s really nice.”
About 9.2 percent of veterans are women. There are an estimated 2 million female vets nationwide.
