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
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A Long Road!: Karen Moldovan's Board Editorial
Legacy: Kate Finn's Board Editorial
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
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
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Kate Puzey Peace Corps Protection Act of 2011 Passes the House!
House Vote Scheduled for Tonight at 5:30
Thursday, October 27, 2011
UPDATE: Senate Passed the Resolution
Thanks to those of you who contacted your Senators!
Peace,
First Response Action
Monday, September 19, 2011
Progress of the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act of 2011
Contact Information: Visit the website of our partner, Kate's Voice, for information on whom to contact, Most important people to contact
What to say:
- Sample email
- Sample phone call
If you have questions or would like to share your opinion or story, please contact firstresponseaction@gmail.com
Peace,
Casey
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Press Conference: Introducing the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Safety and Security Act
The press conference to announce the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Safety and Security Act legislation will be on Thursday, June 23 at 2:15 p.m. in the Capitol on the Senate side in the Senate TV/Radio Gallery, room S-325.
The press conference may be televised. Please check back as it gets closer to the press conference as we may have information about which channel.
