On September 26, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act (S. 1280). The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved an earlier version of the bill on July 26 (see The Source, 7/29/11); the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved its version of the legislation (H.R. 2337) on September 21 (see The Source, 9/23/11).
According to the committee report, the bill “aims to enhance and improve both the preventative measures and the response of the Peace Corps in cases of crime and sexual assault.” Specifically, the bill would develop a comprehensive sexual assault, risk-reduction, and response training as part of overall training provided to Peace Corps volunteers; develop and implement a comprehensive sexual assault policy; and establish the Office of Victims Advocacy and Sexual Assault Advisory Council.
During consideration of the bill, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a substitute amendment by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) that would, among other provisions, establish a 24-hour hotline to the Peace Corps’ Office of Victim Advocacy in order to connect the volunteer with trained personnel who would receive the volunteer’s report and provide necessary information to support the volunteer.