Thank you for this important question.
I would like to thank all the committee members for conducting this study, which was key to understanding the dynamics and needs of women veterans. I would also like to thank the women veterans who are keeping up with our work. I acknowledge that, for the women who appeared before the committee, it wasn't always easy to share their experiences. I want to thank them and tip my hat to them, again.
I look forward to receiving the committee's recommendations and reading its report. I know that everyone has worked hard on this. The Department of Veterans Affairs started making internal changes even before the committee studied the issue. One change, which was made a few years ago, concerns women veterans who contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive services as a result of the incidents that they experienced. We now have a team that specializes in handling requests from women veterans.
We also want to ensure that the women who have been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed feel comfortable with the people assigned to work with them and with their case manager. These managers are trained to respond appropriately. We'll continue to improve these programs in order to serve women veterans properly.
I'll soon be announcing the creation of a women veterans advisory council. This council will give advice to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, meaning me, on women's issues. I can't wait to make this announcement. Again, I want to make sure that I'm well informed about the challenges that women face. I'm really looking forward to working with this committee.