Nearly 1 in 4 VA employees report sex harassment, audit says

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By HOPE YEN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 1 in 4 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs say they have been subjected to unwanted sexual comments and other harassment — one of the highest levels in federal government — and an audit says the Trump administration has not been doing enough to protect them.

At a House hearing Wednesday, lawmakers heard VA express a commitment to “changing the culture” to make the department more welcoming to women, but that long-sought improvements urged by the Government Accountability Office could take until 2024 to fully implement.

Lawmakers responded that they’re not willing to wait, even if it means passing legislation to force more immediate changes.

“The VA is not the same VA as four years ago,” insisted acting VA deputy secretary Pam Powers, pointing to increased outreach to women and improved trust ratings in the VA from employees and patients alike according to internal polling.



Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., together with other lawmakers and supporters speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill about ending sexual harassment and assault in the U.S. military and Department of Veterans Affairs Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)


Read more: https://apnews.com/a012403f68da025b89af87c53380f4b0

[47of74]

1. Well of course that orange shitbag doesn't do enough to protect women

#BubonicDonny barely acknowledges other white men as human so it's of no fucking surprise to me that this happened under his watch.

[0nirevets]

2. This is so disturbing. I must say, the VA has taken exceptional care of me over the years.

I owe my life to the VA for taking me in when I had nothing. I was homeless and had no insurance or health care plan at all, but they gave me a full physical every year, provided tests, MRI's, ct scans, prescribed and provided necessary medications, all free of charge. I received the best care I could ever hope for, and certainly could never have paid for. Another VA program (VASH) paid my rent in a small but clean and safe apartment until I was able to find work and get back on my feet. Homeless and hopeless, I would not have survived much longer living in my car. Literally, I owe my life to the VA.

It breaks my heart to hear of this internal, systemic abuse.