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t m c » p u l s e | m a r c h 2 0 1 8 15 anywhere, especially in the military." El-Serag stressed the importance of a safe environment, citing studies that suggest harassment is associated with an increase in the number of no-shows to medical appointments. "One event—it could be the smallest of things that could happen to them— could keep a woman veteran away from the VA for another year or two for critical care they really need," she said. "We know that the implications of this harassment are very significant in terms of their overall wellness and their health care." The VA built a Women's Health Center on its Houston campus and El-Serag is also heading up an "End Harassment" cam- paign, which focuses on accountability and training for all individuals associated with the VA—veterans, law enforcement, employ- ees and staff. "In the past, some of our complaints have come from frustration from patients that staff hasn't acted on their behalf," El-Serag said. "I think, ultimately, the most effective technique is accountability. If we follow through when that type of behavior is witnessed, then we stand up and let our veterans or whoever is doing the harassing know that this is not going to be tolerated. I think that is going to be the best way to spread the word and make people aware that this is not acceptable. Women veterans need to feel like we understand that this is a threat to them and that we are doing something about it." Baylor's training curriculum also addresses what to do as a bystander who witnesses harassment. "You've got a social responsibility when it comes to speaking up or providing resources, much like if someone had a heart attack on the sidewalk and you're CPR certified. We'd want you to act," Morehead said. Special training around sexual harassment helps propel an organization's ethos forward, El-Serag said. "It's not intuitive how to deal with these situations," she said. "A lot of people will stay out of these situations just because they really simply don't know what to do." El-Serag hopes her "End Harassment" campaign will help female veterans feel more comfortable reporting instances of sexual harassment and abuse. "What we hope is that as a result of this campaign, we actually see an increase in the number of complaints at first, not a decrease. It may seem like, 'Wow, why is this happening more and more?' But the truth is that it's always been happening, we just need to create an atmosphere where women feel safe to come forward about it." In the Texas Medical Center and beyond, giving survivors a voice and a safe space to use it helps ensure lasting change. "Even as we're reminded that the kinds of issues that underlie the #MeToo movement are unfortunately ever-present, and are in many ways challenges of multiple generations," Horn said, "we also understand that we have these opportunities to change the narrative and change the direction." You've got a social responsibility when it comes to speaking up or providing resources, much like if someone had a heart attack on the sidewalk and you're CPR certified. We'd want you to act. — MIKIBA W. MOREHEAD Title IX and student disability coordinator at Baylor's Office of Institutional Diversity, Inclusion & Equity N O W P R E - L E A S I N G G A L L E R I A / U P T O W N D I S T R I C T C L A S S A A M E D I C A L O F F I C E S PA C E TANGLEWOOD MEDICAL Justin Brasell | Vice President 713.231.1595 | Justin.Brasell@transwestern.com Eric Johnson | National Director 713.272.1217 | Eric.Johnson@transwestern.com

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