THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON

 

October 16, 2019

The Honorable Mark Takano
Chairman

Committee on Veterans? Affairs
US. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Takano:

Thank you for your September 20, 2019, letter to the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) regarding an alleged sexual assault in the atrium of the Washington, DC VA
Medical Center.

These are serious allegations and VA is treating them as such. The Department
immediately turned this matter over to its independent Inspector General and the Office
of the Deputy Attorney General to conduct a thorough criminal investigation. I have
asked the Inspector General to provide me a copy of his findings and notice of any
criminal referral to law enforcement. Given the alleged incident occurred almost a
month ago and the allegations were made public soon after, I am hopeful those findings
can be provided to both of us without delay.

While we await the Inspector General's findings, I can share with you what VA is
doing to make women Veterans feel more welcomed. VA recognizes that all Veterans
should feel safe and welcomed in VA facilities, and that at times women Veterans have
reported harassment by others. VA launched a campaign of education, reporting, and
accountability to end harassment of Veterans and to help VA staff and Veterans
intervene if harassment occurs. We developed posters, videos, and training materials
and implemented the program at all our facilities. I want Veterans to know that VA has
been working to ensure all Veterans can engage fully in their own health care in a
welcoming and mutually respectful environment. We are proud of our care for women
Veterans and are working to increase their trust and knowledge of VA services, so they
will continue to choose VA.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission and our Nation's Veterans.
A similar letter has been sent to Congressman Roe.

Sincerely,

9' 1/ 

Robert L. Wilkie