New panel to advise VA leaders on better response to sexual misconduct issues 9 hours ago Last December, former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie drew widespread condemnation after an inspector general report criticized him for an “unprofessional” response to a September 2019 sexual assault report filed by a Hill staffer, who said she was physically abused during a visit to the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Faced with controversy and watchdog concerns about sexual harassment and misconduct within Veterans Affairs facilities, department officials are looking for volunteers for a new working group tasked with finding solutions how those cases are handled and how to prevent them in the first place.