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More wounded warriors are reporting they've been sexually assaulted in the military

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More wounded warriors are reporting they've been sexually assaulted in the military.

"I chose to be very, very brave. I was frightened the whole time," Elizabeth Odell said.

Odell said she was sexually assaulted while serving in the military by a man who was more than her boss. He was her superior officer.

"I just couldn't believe it," she said.

It's an all-too familiar story. According to a recent survey by Wounded Warrior Project, four out of 10 women in the military reported they were sexually assaulted.

These are women who are wounded warriors.

Surveys were sent to more than a 100,000 warriors. Just under 36,000 warriors completed the survey. It also showed more warriors are having thoughts of suicide.

"So that's 33% thought they'd be better off dead or had thoughts of self-harm in the last two weeks," said Melanie Mousseau, metrics director at Wounded Warrior Project.

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Mousseau said warriors can't give up.

"It's very important that they are staying connected and that they know there is hope, and there is help," she said. 
 
"Looking back, I say, 'Wow, I can't believe that I did have that courage," Odell said.

Seventeen years later, Odell continues to deal with those dark moments. She said it helps to open up.

"I'm positive, and I'm hopeful. Every time I get an opportunity to speak, I think that it is healing for me," she said.

As horrible as it was, Odell said assault doesn't have to destroy your life.

"It's something that happened, but it's not going to define you. It doesn't have to define you. It doesn't define me. It's made me better," she said.

To see the full survey, click here.

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