Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Presents Framed Legislation to Survivors

On December 7, 2011, Congresswoman and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) presented framed copies of the 'red-lined' legislation to RPCV survivors who spoke at the May 2011 hearing as well as RPCV survivor and founder of First Response Action Casey Frazee.

Pictured from left to right: Natalie Hirt Adams, lawyer at Wilmer Hale law firm which represents First Response Action; Carol Clark and Jess Smochek, RPCV survivors who testified at the May 2011 House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing; Congresswoman and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Casey Frazee, founder and director of First Response Action

President Obama Signs the Kate Puzey Act into Law

President Obama Signs the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 into Law
November 21, 2011
Oval Office of the White House

Pictured:
Left of President Obama: Peace Corps staff Paul Weinberger and Carrie Hessler-Radelet, Senator Johnny Isakson R-GA, First Response Action board member and Legislative Liaison Kate Finn, Peace Corps Director Williams, RPCV survivor Carol Clark who testified at the May 2011 Congressional hearing

Right of President Obama: David Puzey (Kate Puzey's brother), Mr. and Mrs. Puzey (Kate's parents), Rep. Ted Poe R-TX, RPCV and survivor Karestan Koenen, Ph.D. who testified at the May 2011 Congressional hearing

A Long Road!: Karen Moldovan's Board Editorial

The following blog post is from First Response Action board member Karen Moldovan, who served in the Kingdom of Tonga 2007-09, about her thoughts on the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act legislation passing the House and being sent to President Obama. Karen has supported this campaign as a field advocate through her work at the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She serves on Peace Corps' Volunteer Sexual Assault Review Panel which engages experts to address the issue of sexual assault training and response. Karen is an integral member of the board and her expertise, passion and dedication are outstanding.

It goes without saying that the passage of The Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act is a momentous occasion. With this legislation, we will truly see a BETTER, STRONGER Peace Corps for all Volunteers. As some people may know, I became involved with this issue in 2007, during my Pre-Service Training as Volunteer in the Kingdom of Tonga. Because I had worked in sexual violence response and prevention prior to joining the Peace Corps, I entered my service with a strong foundation in this work. I therefore realized the huge deficiencies in sexual assault prevention training, education, and formalized response protocol. Although I petitioned both in-country staff as well as Peace Corps Headquarters for improved practice around responding to sexual assault, change and a commitment for reform was virtually non-existent. I left Peace Corps truly feeling that the largest source of my frustration with my service was the inability to create change around this critical issue.

Post Peace-Corps service, I had the opportunity to help build First Response Action with other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who cared deeply about this issue. Some of us joined as allies, some as survivors. Together, we were able to build a viable campaign for reform. The list of people to thank would be far too long for a blog post. However, I am deeply grateful for everyone who lent their voice to this cause and would like to acknowledge the members of the Colorado delegation, Senator Michael Bennet and Rep. Ed Pelmutter, who co-sponsored this legislation. This Act truly creates a survivor-centered approach to responding to victims of crime. The confidentiality provisions allow a survivor to regain power and control by allowing her or him to decide when and how agency officials know about this very personal crime. It allows survivors to access critical medical and support services while still maintaining confidentiality. The Act provides improved training for staff and volunteers and oversight for staff who do not follow protocol. It also establishes the global presence of Victim Advocates.

Over the past year, I've been honored to work with Peace Corps' newly-formed Volunteer Sexual Assault Review Panel. First Response Action believes it is critical for an outside panel of experts in the field of sexual assault response to have the ability to review and help revise Peace Corps training, education, and policies. I am excited about the work of the Review Panel and am thankful for the agency's leadership and renewed commitment toward addressing this issue. With the passage of the legislation, a Sexual Assault Advisory Council will now be codified into law!

It is an absolute honor that this legislation is named in memory of Kate Puzey. I've often felt that she's another board member of First Response Action. I hope that her spirit is at peace and we are so thankful for all that she did to make the world a better place for women and girls.

Karen

Legacy: Kate Finn's Board Editorial

The following blog post is from First Response Action board member Kate Finn, who served in Costa Rica, about her thoughts on the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act legislation passing the House and being sent to President Obama. Kate has supported this campaign as the Legislative Liaison collaborating with various legislative allies. She has also bravely told her own story as a survivor and has been instrumental to the forward movement of this campaign.

Wow. CSPAN has never been more interesting! Watching the Congressional votes post on Nov. 1 was an incredible reminder to me of the time and effort that it has taken to create awareness surrounding Volunteers who are victims and survivors of sexual violence during their time of service as Peace Corps Volunteers.

For me, serving on the Board of First Response Action has been a remarkable experience both personally and professionally. After I was raped during my time of service, I really did believe that it was just my country that messed up the response. I knew intuitively that I wasn't the only Volunteer that this had happened to, but I certainly felt alone. I learned about FRA and was immediately released from that sense of isolation. I am humbled to have joined a board that worked so hard to examine the individual experiences of survivors, like myself, and translate those experiences into meaningful policy change. This board has truly connected the experiences of men and women with this legislation, and I know that when enacted, this legislation will have a profound positive impact for Volunteers on the ground.

I think we would be remiss to not mention that we are not the first group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to bring up this issue. We know several people, often survivors of crime, that have told their stories since the 1980s to effect change. Carol Clark has been telling her story since the 1980s and I have learned a lot from her perseverance, humility and kindness. She has been pursuing improved services for Volunteers who experience sexual violence for years and we could not have achieved this success without her. We have put in a lot of work, but in many ways I feel that we were able to "tip the scale" only because of the work of so many courageous women before us.

It is impossible for me to not mention Kate Puzey. We know that in her life she was a fierce champion for women and girl's rights. I hope that her legacy lives on in this legislation as more women are able to find peace and well-being after surviving sexual violence.

Kate

A Sense of Hope: Meg Long's Board Editorial

The following blog post is from First Response Action board member Meg Long, who served in Kenya, about her thoughts on the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act legislation passing the House and being sent to President Obama. Meg has supported this campaign with Volunteer outreach, material creation and survivor support. Meg adds a sense of fairness, peace and justice to the work which has been vital to progress of survivor and whistle blower support.

Even as I write this I am still processing the impact that The Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act will have on current and future Peace Corps Volunteers. I first joined FRA because of a manual I wrote to educate members of my community in Kenya about domestic violence and sexual assault. When I began writing this manual I never imagined the end result would be playing a part in ensuring the safety of Volunteers for years to come.

I think of all the people I have met and spoken with since joining FRA over 2 years ago. The amount of collective energy, passion, determination, and dedication is almost too overwhelming to comprehend. But mostly what I think about is my village. I think about all the volunteers who are living in a country most of us could not point to on a map. I think of how isolating and lonely being a Volunteer can be and I think of how terrifying it would have been to been assaulted. Then I think of all the stories I have heard from Peace Corps Volunteers and what they endured even after their assault. For for first time since joining this campaign I am not overcome with anger and a sense of complete injustice when thinking of these stories. For the first time I feel a sense of hope that future Volunteers will not have these same stories. That their stories will include support, compassion, and empathy.

I am so proud of my fellow board members, of the volunteers who provided testimonies, and of all the Congressmen and their staffers who worked tirelessly on this Act. I feel honored that the legislation was worthy of Kate Puzey's name. I feel that a part of her will always have a protective arm around Peace Corps Volunteers.

Meg

Ask President Obama to Host a Signing Ceremony for the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act!

This important legislation passed both the House and Senate UNANIMOUSLY! That deserves a public signing ceremony! Please contact the White House to ask that President Obama host a public signing ceremony. Ask your friends to call too! A public signing is a great way to show the White House commitment to a stronger, safer Peace Corps for all Volunteers!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
(212) 456-1414 - White House Switchboard

Primary provisions of the bill include:

1. Confidentiality for reporters of crime, both victims and whistleblowers, through a restricted reporting system similar to the U.S. Military.

2. Improved training for Volunteers and staff on the dynamics of sexual assault and response policies.

3. A Sexual Assault Advisory Council to provide recommendations on policies and trainings related to victim response.

4. Establishment of an Office of Victim Advocacy.

5. Oversight for Peace Corps staff who respond poorly to reports of sexual assault.

Gratitude

It is with sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act legislation that I write this blog as the founder and director of First Response Action. Countless supporters called, wrote and spoke to members of the House and Senate. So many people were involved in this effort to better support victims of sexual violence in Peace Corps, as well as whistle blowers. Thank you to each and every supporter. It's because of YOUR support and action that helped us get this legislation passed!

More than two years ago, I was sexually assaulted as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa. I was confused, alone and often walking numb. There were no resources available to survivors. I am thankful that since First Response Action's inception in 2009, Peace Corps now has a manual for staff to be trained on how to respond to sexual assault, that legislation has been passed to support Volunteers and that Peace Corps has hired a Victim Advocate. The tide is turning for victim support in Peace Corps and that success is thanks to supporters around the world. Advocates, survivors, family, friends, RPCVs, Volunteers, former Peace Corps staff, current Peace Corps staff, members (and their staffers) of the House and Senate, staff at Change.org, the National Peace Corps Association, Dr. Karestan Koenen, the Puzey family and the legal team at WilmerHale have made this dream a reality for me that victims in Peace Corps would have rights, access to services and help navigating the rough terrain of the post-assault landscape.

The work of supporting Peace Corps Volunteer victims of crime has only begun. Once legislation is enacted, it is imperative that we follow-up closely to be sure that victims are receiving the services they need and that all Volunteers are being trained on issues of sexual violence. I hope that supporters will continue to lend their time, talent and voices to this cause.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am indebted to each and every supporter of victims of crime in Peace Corps.

Casey Frazee
Founder & Director
First Response Action

Kate Puzey Peace Corps Protection Act of 2011 Passes the House!

Tonight, Congress passed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011. The Senate unanimously passed this legislation in September and it will now go onto President Obama to be signed into law. Stay tuned to this blog and our website, www.firstresponseaction.org, for more information about this ground-breaking legislation to support whistleblowers and victims of sexual assault and rape.

Watch the Legislation Discussed Live on CSPAN

The House speeches prior to the vote is running live at this moment. Visit http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN/ to watch.

House Vote Scheduled for Tonight at 5:30

The House is scheduled to vote on the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011, which was passed by the Senate in September. There has been no confirmation yet if the vote will be televised, but this blog will be updated as we receive new information.

UPDATE: Senate Passed the Resolution

In a post on 10/16/11 we asked legislation supporters to contact their Senators to ask them to support certain provisions in the Kate Puzey legislation so they would not sunset in seven years, as the bill is currently written. (Read about those provisions here.) We are happy to report that the Senate voted and passed the resolution so that these important provisions will remain and will not end (or 'sunset')!

Thanks to those of you who contacted your Senators!

Peace,
First Response Action

Take Action to Remove Aspects of the Sunset Provision!

Last month, the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 passed the Senate with a ‘sunset’ provision which would require the provisions in the Kate Puzey Act to end in seven years. This is customary and allows for revision of the bill at sunset to ideally improve legislation. The Senate is now trying to pass a resolution, introduced by Senator Isakson, which would amend this sunset provision so that the selected provisions of confidentiality, training requirements and the extension of the Inspector General would not be affected by the sunset. To be clear, the remaining provisions in the bill would sunset, but these provisions would remain. It's important that these key provisions remain standing to continue supporting victims in Peace Corps.

The resolution needs your support to pass! We are asking that you call your Senator(s) TODAY to ask for them to pass this resolution in support of victims and whistle blowers.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing Room
May 2011

Once this resolution is finalized, the bill will go to the House. This is a critical step in the passage of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act. We appreciate any calls you are able to make! We’ve included a sample script which you can use as a guide if you wish. Please feel free to expand and put the words into your own voice. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Sample script:

“Hello, I’m calling as a (former Peace Corps Volunteer, supporter of the Kate Puzey bill, etc.). I am a constituent in (Senator’s) district and I would like to encourage (Senator) to vote in favor of the resolution to amend the sunset provision in the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 so that the provisions of confidentiality, training and the extension of the Inspector General would remain after the bill sunsets. These provisions are vital to the continued support of victims of rape and sexual assault as well as whistle blowers. Thank you for your time.”

Find your Senator(s): Click this link to find your Senator's contact information: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Thank you for your support of victims of sexual assault and other crimes in Peace Corps!

Testimony from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing: Peace Corps, The Next 50 Years

Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing about the next 50 years of Peace Corps. You can read testimony from panelists here. Panelists included former Senators, Peace Corps Director Williams, National Peace Corps Association Director Kevin Quigley and a survivor.

Senate Passes the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act!

On Monday, September 26, the Senate passed the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 by unanimous consent! You can track the bill here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s112-1280 The next step is to have the bill voted on in the House. If it passes, then the final step is to have the legislation signed into law by President Obama.

First Response Action is grateful for the leadership of Senators Johnny Isakson, R-GA, and Barbara Boxer, D-CA, who introduced this legislation on June 27, 2011. The bipartisan support of these Senators and their staff has been incredible and they have worked tirelessly to get the bill passed. You can read the press releases about the unanimous consent vote for both Isakson and Boxer on their websites.

Thank you to everyone who has called, visited or contacted their representatives to get this important legislation to this level!

This is another big step in the right direction!

Casey and the board of First Response Action

House panel approves bill to boost safety for Peace Corps volunteers after rapes, murder

By Associated Press, Published: September 21

WASHINGTON — A House panel has approved legislation to improve safety and security for Peace Corps volunteers after criticism that the agency did little to train its workers to deal with violent attacks such as rape and murder.

By voice vote Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee pushed ahead two bills that would establish a process for volunteers to make confidential reports of rape or sexual assault, set up training for staff on how to respond and create a Victim Support Office.

In May, three Peace Corps volunteers raped while serving overseas and the mother of a fourth who was murdered in Benin complained to lawmakers. They said the agency failed to train its workers about how to avoid or deal with violent attacks. They also said it was insensitive or unhelpful.