On July 26, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a series of bills en bloc, by voice vote, including the Katy Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act (S. 1280).
Sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), the Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act (S. 1280) would amend the Peace Corps Act (P.L. 87-293) to require sexual assault reduction and response training, development of sexual assault protocol and guidelines, establishment of victim advocates, and establishment of a sexual assault advisory council. The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved its version of the FY2012 Foreign Relations Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2583), which contains similar provisions on July 21 (see The Source, 7/22/11), and held a hearing on the subject on May 11 (see The Source, 5/13/11).
Specifically, the measure would require country-specific training that includes cultural training relating to gender relations, risk-reduction strategies, a safety plan in the event of an assault, in-country treatment available to victims (e.g., forensic rape exams, post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV exposure, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy testing), medical evacuation procedures, and information regarding the legal process for pressing charges against an attacker.
The sexual assault protocol and guidelines would protect the victim’s confidentiality and provide the victim with a victim’s advocate; sexual assault forensic evidence kit upon request; emergency health care, counseling, and psychiatric care; evacuation of the volunteer; and explanation of available law enforcement, prosecutorial option, and legal representation.
During consideration of the bill, the committee amended the bill to require the president to oversee the creation of the Peace Corps’ sexual assault policy and training, review the performance of Peace Corps officers, establish a system to gather volunteer feedback; and develop a process for volunteers to confidentially report wrongdoing by agency officials. The original version of the bill required the director of the Peace Corps to perform these responsibilities.
