February 4, 2004: Headlines: Peace Corps Directors - Vasquez: Safety and Security of Volunteers: Albuquerque Journa: Today's Peace Corps The Safest Ever by Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Special Reports: October 26, 2003: Dayton Daily News reports on Peace Corps Safety and Security: Guest Commentary: February 4, 2004: Headlines: Peace Corps Directors - Vasquez: Safety and Security of Volunteers: Albuquerque Journa: Today's Peace Corps The Safest Ever by Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-69-95.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.69.95) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 1:43 pm: Edit Post

Today's Peace Corps The Safest Ever by Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez

Today's Peace Corps The Safest Ever by Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez

Today's Peace Corps The Safest Ever by Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez

Today's Peace Corps The Safest Ever

By Gaddi H. Vasquez, director

Peace Corps

Your editorial "Peace Corps' Danger Level Is Unacceptable" uses inaccurate references that perpetuate misinformation previously reported by the Dayton Daily News.

Your editorial states that every two months since 1962, about one volunteer has died. This is a distortion of the data. The "one every two months" statistic you cite takes the total number of deaths in the Peace Corps' 42-year history and divides it out over the total number of months the Peace Corps has been in existence.

The reality is deaths in service have decreased dramatically over the years. In the last 24 months, there have been two deaths, neither of which were the result of a crime or act of violence against a volunteer.

In addition, the majority of volunteer deaths in the Peace Corps' history, which accounts for 0.001 percent of the 170,000 Americans who have served, occurred in the very early years— in the 1960s and 1970s.

The vast majority of all deaths have been accident related. By taking a responsible look at the data, you will find that over the years, the Peace Corps has responded to accidents and tragedies by changing policies and improving training. As a result, we have been trending in the right direction with our safety policies and procedures.

Over the past two years, every piece of evidence available shows that the Peace Corps has experienced a significant drop in volunteer deaths, major sexual assaults and minor assaults. For an accurate and global look at the Peace Corps' safety and security record since 2002, please visit the Peace Corps Web site, www.peacecorps.gov.

Your assertion that "attackers are rarely prosecuted— and so, criminals and rapists feel free to continue targeting vulnerable American volunteers" is without merit.

When an assault against a volunteer occurs, the Peace Corps Office of the Inspector General (OIG) works with the U.S. State Department's regional security officers to assess and assist local police efforts to apprehend individuals who have committed crimes against Peace Corps volunteers, trainees, or American staff.

The OIG also works with the U.S. Department of Justice on prosecutorial efforts to hold offenders accountable.

In 2002, a reorganization was approved that created a new Office of Safety and Security and increased by 80 the number of full-time safety and security personnel. The staff was restructured to better communicate, supervise, monitor and help set safety and security policy. In addition, each Peace Corps post has established a safety and security coordinator in country to oversee volunteer safety in the field.

The safety and security of volunteers is the highest priority of the Peace Corps, and we remain committed to developing conditions for a safe and fulfilling experience for every volunteer. From recruitment through the 27 weeks of training and consistently during their service, the Peace Corps shares with the applicants and volunteers the risks in serving abroad. In addition, the Peace Corps' Web site has an in-depth safety and security section dedicated to educating volunteers on safety issues.

Today, there are 7,533 volunteers serving in 71 countries. The current number of volunteers represents a 28-year high and Americans across the nation continue to show interest in Peace Corps service.

As one returned Peace Corps volunteer stated in a letter addressing the Dayton Daily News, "Every volunteer is educated about the dangers they could face. They are smart adults who understand that the Third World, by definition, is going to be poor, dirty, dangerous and corrupt. Any person who leaves for (Peace Corps duty) thinking it is going to be as safe as the U.S. has not paid attention to the information provided by the Peace Corps."




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Story Source: Albuquerque Journa

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Peace Corps Directors - Vasquez; Safety and Security of Volunteers

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