Ever since September 11, 2001, as we travel on public transportation you hear announcements like “If you see an unattended bag, please report it.” The same goes for suspicious activities. For the safety of those around you, if you see something, you say something. It is as simple as that.

So why is it so difficult to say something if you see someone being harassed or bullied. Perhaps, you are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, getting fired, harassed or hurt yourself. Many times, we just don’t want to get involved.

As members of The American Legion, we have a responsibility to make sure our family members feel safe, not just in our Legion Posts, but throughout the community as well. If you see something, say something.

Our national American Legion Headquarters harassment policy states that they “will not tolerate, condone or allow harassment, whether engaged in by management, supervisors, fellow employees, or other non-employees who conduct business with The American Legion.” That goes for all the members and volunteers as well.

I realize that sometimes it is hard to know what to say or how to insert yourself into a situation where you might see someone being harassed or mistreated. Sometimes you might not know if the person is being harassed or if people are just joking around.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has created a training session to help you identify harassment and learn how intervene if you witness harassment or sexual assault.

https://www.va.gov/STOP-HARASSMENT/policy/index.asp

Once on this page, select the Bystander Intervention Techniques and Training option and launch the course. This is about a 35-minute session which will help you:

• Recognize unwanted and unwelcome harassing behaviors.
• Identify situations where bystander intervention may be appropriate.
• Intervene effectively when encountering an incident of harassment or sexual assault.
• Report an incident of harassment or sexual assault.
• Locate resources that are available to support bystanders and persons who have experienced harassment or sexual assault.

This training is aimed at reporting at a VA facility, but you can adjust reporting within your Post home by reporting up The American Legion chain of command.

It is simply a matter of respect, treating others with dignity and honoring them in our interactions. Even if you have never been harassed, the odds are that a loved one, friend or colleague has been.

As leaders, it is up to us to help identify cultural changes that need to take place and do something about it. Please encourage members to take the training offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.