GAO Audit Revealed Rise in VA Harassment Reports
A new audit found over 31,000 harassment incidents across VA medical centers from 2020 through 2025.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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A Government Accountability Office audit identified more than 31,000 alleged harassment incidents at 140 VA medical centers over a six-year period. The findings highlight a sharp increase in reported non-sexual harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual assault cases between 2020 and 2025.
Why it matters
The report underscores significant safety challenges facing medical staff, with many incidents involving patients experiencing complex cognitive or mental health conditions. Understanding these trends is critical for addressing the safety and work environment of healthcare professionals serving veterans.
Annual non-sexual harassment reports climbed from 583 in 2020 to 2,285 in 2025, while sexual assault allegations rose from 307 to 676. More than 24,000 of the 31,000 documented incidents involved patients allegedly harassing VA staff.
The players
Government Accountability Office
This is an independent, non-partisan agency that investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars.
VA medical centers
These facilities provide healthcare services to military veterans across the United States.
The details
VA facilities rely on the Disruptive Behavior Reporting System to track verbal and physical concerns, while VA police forces manage investigations into sexual assault allegations. Many of the recorded incidents involved patients struggling with dementia, cognitive disorders, depression, anxiety, or alcohol intoxication.
Timeline
2020 marked the base year for the audit data.
2025 served as the final year for data collection.
September 30, 2026, was the date the audit report was released.
Market Landscape
The audit centers on the effectiveness of the Disruptive Behavior Reporting System in tracking patient-staff interactions. This analysis highlights ongoing challenges in managing workplace safety within large-scale public healthcare systems.
Healthcare workers and staff at VA facilities face increasing safety risks that require improved reporting and security protocols. Patients and their families should be aware that these reporting systems are actively used to document and address behavioral concerns in clinical settings.
The takeaway
The data shows a clear upward trend in reported incidents that necessitates enhanced safety measures for staff. Implementing more robust support for patients with cognitive impairments may help reduce the frequency of these disruptions.
Further reading
Learn more about the current workplace environment in Nursing Jobs.
Live Poll
Do you trust that local health facilities are effectively preventing harassment in their clinics?
