Have you ever been told to smile more? Been cat-called? Have you been stared at or had sexual gestures made at you?
Has anyone ever questioned your Veteran status, maybe saying you don’t “Look like a Veteran” or maybe you are “Too pretty to be a Veteran?”
Harassment happens more often than you may think, but it is not tolerated at VA.
About 1 in 5 women Veterans have reported being harassed while at a VA facility, so VA is working to address and end inappropriate behavior. If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, it’s important to know what to do.
Everyone who visits a VA facility, including employees, Veterans, family members and caregivers, should take care to make sure their actions don’t cause someone else to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
We all have a responsibility in keeping VA a safe place to get care. If you see or experience something that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please speak up and report it when you feel safe to do so. There’s no wrong way to report harassment. VA will take action.
What is harassment?
Harassment can take many forms, from unwelcome comments or inappropriate questions to bullying or intimidating language or behavior. If it is unwelcomed and makes you uncomfortable, it is harassment.
VA defines harassment as “Any unwanted verbal, visual or physical behavior.”
How to report harassment
If you ever experience harassment, we encourage you to report it to the facility’s VA police, Patient Advocate, Women Veteran Program Manager or any VA staff member. For additional help, you can call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-829-6636, or chat with them online. You can also call the VA Harassment Prevention Program at 1-888-566-3982.
What will VA do when you report it?
VA has zero tolerance for all forms of harassment. We will take your report seriously, investigate it thoroughly and take appropriate action. VA specialists are here to help you and will guide you through the process.
VA is here for you
All Veterans deserve to visit VA facilities or come in for an appointment without having to worry about being harassed. We’re listening to your concerns and are working to address them, so that you can receive your health care at a place that feels safe and where you belong. We’re committed to making sure that our Veterans, regardless of gender, never feel uncomfortable, unsafe or disrespected at VA.
We know it can be difficult to talk about and report, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Bystander Intervention Training can help you recognize inappropriate behavior, intervene effectively when you see or hear it happen, report incidents at a VA facility, and locate the appropriate VA resources. If you need additional support, learn more about VA’s mental health resources or chat with the Women Veterans Call Center for help.
