2011.09.20: September 20, 2011: Representative Ted Poe writes: Time to protect American angels abroad
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2011.09.20: September 20, 2011: Representative Ted Poe writes: Time to protect American angels abroad
Representative Ted Poe writes: Time to protect American angels abroad
When I met with Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams in February, he seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. And to his credit, he has taken some important first steps towards reform, such as hiring Peace Corps' first Victim Advocate in May to help support Volunteers who were raped or physically assaulted and beginning to implement new training. Still much more needs to be done- as affidavits from current Volunteers testify- to ensure that the culture of neglect and abuse of Peace Corps Volunteers is changed.
Representative Ted Poe writes: Time to protect American angels abroad
Time to protect American angels abroad
By Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) - 09/20/11 05:04 PM ET
Tomorrow, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will vote on the "Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011." It is a long time coming.
In 2007, Kate Puzey, a valedictorian from Georgia, arrived in Benin as a Peace Corps volunteer to teach local children English. When she discovered that girls in her class were being sexually assaulted by another teacher, she notified Peace Corps staff in Benin's capital. While Peace Corps decided to fire the predator, they never told Kate. Kate was now in serious danger. This man was dangerous, and Peace Corps knew that Kate specifically told them how to contact her in the event they took any disciplinary action because she feared retribution. Days later, Kate Puzey, at the tender age of 24, was found on her front porch with her throat slit. Her fear became an unfortunate reality.
Three years earlier, the Peace Corps sent "Jane" a 23-year-old bright eyed and innocent woman to Bangladesh. It was not long before six local men began following her home. One day they surrounded her, grabbed her, shoved her to the ground, and began touching and kissing her before eventually leaving. When she reported the attack to Peace Corps staff, they ignored her. Then, on December 6, 2004, these same men dragged her into an abandoned courtyard, raped her, and beat her until she begged for them to just kill her. In response, Peace Corps took away her cell phone, told her not to tell any of her fellow Volunteers, and sent her back to Washington, D.C. where she was subsequently blamed for the attack.
Unfortunately, Kate and "Jane" are not alone. There are dozens of testimonies of former Volunteers going back 30 years that reveal systematic negligence on behalf of the Peace Corps with regard to both confidentiality and sexual assault response. Volunteers reported being placed in dangerous situations only to be told that moving was not an option. They talked about how they could not report their rapes because of all the people in Peace Corps that would find out. And, throughout all of the testimonies, there was a common theme: blame the victim.
When I met with Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams in February, he seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. And to his credit, he has taken some important first steps towards reform, such as hiring Peace Corps' first Victim Advocate in May to help support Volunteers who were raped or physically assaulted and beginning to implement new training. Still much more needs to be done- as affidavits from current Volunteers testify- to ensure that the culture of neglect and abuse of Peace Corps Volunteers is changed.
With the strong support of the former Peace Corps victims and survivors, RAINN (the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization), and the National Peace Corps Association, the "Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011," requires the Peace Corps to follow best practices in the sexual assault field, sets up an Office of Victim Advocacy to help victims receive services, puts an advisory council in place to review Peace Corps' sexual assault policy and implementation, and establishes new confidentiality requirements.
Spreading goodwill and working for the good of others, Peace Corps Volunteers are some of the best diplomats that we could ever hope to have. I like to call them the ‘American Angels Abroad.' They go to remote areas of the world, far from home, far from their families. They give up the conveniences of America for the primitive conditions of their host country. Yet they go because they believe that the sacrifices are worth it to help those in need throughout the world. This bill will not change Peace Corps overnight nor replace Congress' vital role of oversight, but I believe it will push Peace Corps to become a better institution and to make sure that our ‘American Angels Abroad' are safe and protected.
Rep. Poe serves Texas's second district. He is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He is also co-founder of the Congressional Victims Rights Caucus.
Comments (4)
Years ago I dreamed of going into the Peace Corps. My father was very much against it, saying Africa was too dangerous for women: that I'd be raped or worse. I said to him - it's the Peace Corps, a huge, well respected organization. What could go wrong? It sickens me to hear reports like this. To know that I could have been one of those unfortunate women. Shame on you Peace Corps for not protecting your colleagues.BY JLS on 09/21/2011 at 08:16
Part of the American spirit is to treat all children as our own,anyone that puts another's child in danger while under their tutelage flushes their soul down the toilet…BY russell bowles on 09/21/2011 at 09:51
I am currently a Response Peace Corps Volunteer, (I am also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer 2002-2004) and I agree with this post. As of now I have not had any problems while serving but I know others who have. Our jobs are never easy but we serve because we want to help others and learn about the lives of other people. Peace Corps is not noticed nearly as it should be. When I have applied for some jobs and have mentioned being in the Peace Corps I have received blank looks. They are not aware of Peace Corps nor how important Peace Corps is. When we serve we take chances with our lives and our safety. Many times volunteers serve in areas that are not well populated. We sometimes do not have running water or electricity but we still serve and we do it with our hearts full because we are helping people. Safety is an issue among volunteers and this issue should be addressed. We also should be more recognized throughout America for what we do.BY Alison on 09/21/2011 at 11:16
Young people that truly care and have the ability to give to others,have no clue about how seriously dangerous and violent other countries can be. We take so much for granted in the US.Especially the cultural respect that women have equal rights,and that is still only about 80 yrs old.I find it unexcusable that The Peace Corps not only did not protect them, but tried to bury it to protect their image.BY Elaine on 09/23/2011 at 06:22
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Headlines: September, 2011; Crime; Women's Issues; Congress; Speaking Out; Sexual Assault and Harassment; Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams
When this story was posted in October 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Crime; Women's Issues; Congress; Speaking Out; SA; Williams
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