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.