In this seven-part series, "Casualties of Peace," Russell Carollo and Mei-Ling Hopgood examine problems in what is often looked upon as an almost sacred institution, the Peace Corps



In this seven-part series, "Casualties of Peace," Russell Carollo and Mei-Ling Hopgood examine problems in what is often looked upon as an almost sacred institution, the Peace Corps

2004 Winning Report

Russell Carollo and Mei-Ling Hopgood, Dayton Daily News, United States

In this seven-part series, "Casualties of Peace," Russell Carollo and Mei-Ling Hopgood examine problems in what is often looked upon as an almost sacred institution, the Peace Corps. Their investigation reveals, often in vivid detail, the widespread violence directed at Peace Corps volunteers, who since 1962 have died at a rate of about one every two months. The two also report on how the agency has responded to these incidents.

For 20 months, Carollo and Hopgood traveled around the world, interviewing more than 500 people in 11 countries, to detail the danger of sending volunteers to some of the most dangerous corners of the world. After filing more than 75 Freedom of Information Act requests, the Dayton Daily News ultimately sued the Peace Corps in federal court to free public records that document assaults against volunteers. The agency had never before released its database on assaults, preventing closer scrutiny into the incidents and allowing the agency to hide the real dangers its volunteers often face. The Peace Corps, the reporters found, logs aggression against individuals as "incidents" or "events," not as crimes against individuals. Thus when three female volunteers were raped and two male friends assaulted, the database records it as a single rape "incident."

Following the publication of the series, the Peace Corps redesigned its Web site to include extensive information on safety and security. Hearings were also held in both houses of the U.S. Congress; legislation was introduced to establish a Peace Corps ombudsman to investigate health and safety complaints and asking the agency to detail its safety procedures.

To read the entire series, please go to: To read the entire series, please go to: http://www.daytondailynews.com/project/content/service/peacecorps.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

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December 4, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Correction: PC to get 3.6% Budget increase 3 Dec What if Chris Matthews interviewed Bob Dylan? 3 Dec Bellamy addresses mine-free summit 2 Dec Donna Shalala says Protect families from HIV 1 Dec RPCV mentioned as candidate to head NAACP 1 Dec Bill Moyers wins Environmental Citizen Award 1 Dec RPCV is designer of Humane Trophies 1 Dec RPCV Chris Matthews interviews RPCV Chris Shays 30 Nov RPCV Bruce Anderson is town muckraker 30 Nov Tony Hall calls for more pressure on Sudan 30 Nov Peace Corps Census up for Second Straight Year 29 Nov Peace Corps gets chance in Mexico: 28 Nov more top stories...

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The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference. RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls. Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate. Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.

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