Thread by @TrueBoots

This morning: by @DeptVetAffairs's own numbers, 1 in 5 veteran claims for military sexual trauma #MST were wrongfully denied.

@DeptVetAffairs As @DeptofDefense & @DeptVetAffairs continue to struggle w/ climates where sexual assault & harassment remain pervasive, we should see strong, clear commitments from top leaders to change organizational culture.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense Tune into this morning's join hearing on how VA supports #MST survivors, happening now:

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense Important notes: reports of military sexual assault are up. Reports of assaults at VA facilities continue. #MST is a high risk factor for suicide. #MST claims have been wrongfully denied. Even aside from all this, barriers remain for #MST survivors to access care.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense VA staff haven't been fully trained to screen for & work with #MST survivors.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense American Legion's @Tammy_Barlet describes overtasked #MST coordinators at @DeptVetAffairs facilities. Powerful demand for zero tolerance policy at VA to end sexual harassment. Well done Tammy!

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet .@kwilliams101 describes recent CNAS study findings that women do not seek care at @DeptVetAffairs because of perceived organizational culture that is unsafe or unwelcoming.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 .@kwilliams101 points out higher denial rate of #MST claims by male veterans. We know that more men than women experience #MST, yet more than half of mens' #MST claims are denied by @DeptVetAffairs.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 .@SamanthaKubek powerfully describes the impacts of recurring retraumatization throughout #MST claims process--some survivors become suicidal during this process as a result of being questioned & examined repeatedly about their assault.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek .@VetAffairsOIG describes @DeptVetAffairs provider training on #MST as not being completed & viewed as inadequate by providers who do complete the training.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG .@JuliaBrownley points out that most @DeptVetAffairs facilities do not have full-time #MST coordinators.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG @JuliaBrownley "Sometimes biases creep in," responds @VAVetBenefits to explain lower approval rate for male #MST claims.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG @JuliaBrownley @VAVetBenefits "Every @DeptVetAffairs leader should publicly state their commitment to ending harassment at VA facilities" says @kwilliams101 "Hold them accountable." 👏👏👏👏👏

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG @JuliaBrownley @VAVetBenefits Reminder that this is recent expression by @SecWilkie on sexual assault at VA facilities: bit.ly/31ssOXj

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG @JuliaBrownley @VAVetBenefits @SecWilkie This hearing is really valuable in pointing out discrepancies happening nationally: @VAVetBenefits rejecting attorneys as valid spox for #MST survivors, repetitive rehashing of trauma in C&P exams. Thank you @SamanthaKubek for speaking up on behalf of your clients.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG @JuliaBrownley @VAVetBenefits @SecWilkie Also @VeteransHealth states that Guard & Reserve who are not otherwise eligible for VA care cannot receive care for #MST experienced during their reserve component service. This is a terrible gap.

@DeptVetAffairs @DeptofDefense @Tammy_Barlet @kwilliams101 @SamanthaKubek @VetAffairsOIG @JuliaBrownley @VAVetBenefits @SecWilkie @VeteransHealth Following a hearing pointing out gut-wrenching gaps in caring for #MST survivors & ongoing harassment at @DeptVetAffairs facilities, now this from @SecWilkie: