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
Showing posts with label Casey's notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Casey's notes. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
A Note About the Mission and Commenting from the Editor
I am incredibly grateful for all of the incredible support that I, other survivors and additional members of First Response Action have received during the life of this organization and especially over the last week through yesterday's hearing. Many people have left well-informed, well-intentioned comments that we greatly appreciate.
Our mission is to improve training, response and oversight within Peace Corps to mitigate issues such as rape and sexual assault which are perpetrated against Volunteers. Rape and sexual assault are not the fault of the victim and we feel very strongly about that at First Response Action. It is realistic that rape and sexual assault will not be able to be completely prevented, but response is something that Peace Corps has the power to improve. This is and has been our mission since our organization's inception.
While some comments are well-informed, others have been hateful. There aren't many, but enough that I feel compelled to note that First Response Action does not appreciate sentiments of hate, misunderstanding of issues and of judgment. We reserve the right to moderate comments. Comments that are hateful or attack members of First Response Action, Peace Corps or survivors will not be approved. This is not the appropriate forum for hate. First Response Action stands for peace and positive change.
Thank you again to those of you who are supportive and have responded compassionately. We have the greatest respect for you and your input!
Here's to a stronger, safer Peace Corps for all Volunteers who serve.
Peace,
Casey
Founder, First Response Action
Our mission is to improve training, response and oversight within Peace Corps to mitigate issues such as rape and sexual assault which are perpetrated against Volunteers. Rape and sexual assault are not the fault of the victim and we feel very strongly about that at First Response Action. It is realistic that rape and sexual assault will not be able to be completely prevented, but response is something that Peace Corps has the power to improve. This is and has been our mission since our organization's inception.
While some comments are well-informed, others have been hateful. There aren't many, but enough that I feel compelled to note that First Response Action does not appreciate sentiments of hate, misunderstanding of issues and of judgment. We reserve the right to moderate comments. Comments that are hateful or attack members of First Response Action, Peace Corps or survivors will not be approved. This is not the appropriate forum for hate. First Response Action stands for peace and positive change.
Thank you again to those of you who are supportive and have responded compassionately. We have the greatest respect for you and your input!
Here's to a stronger, safer Peace Corps for all Volunteers who serve.
Peace,
Casey
Founder, First Response Action
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Peace Corps Meeting 12/9/10
This Thursday 12/9/10, members of the First Response Action Coalition are meeting with Peace Corps staff in D.C. to discuss improvement efforts to sexual assault and rape response protocol and support. Pertinent details and outcomes of the meeting will be posted following the meeting.
Thank you for your support - together we can help make change to better support current and future Volunteers!
Peace,
Casey
Thank you for your support - together we can help make change to better support current and future Volunteers!
Peace,
Casey
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Confirmation Received from Director Williams
It is with great pleasure that I announce that I received a letter back from Aaron Williams, current director of Peace Corps, on March 17, 2010!
(Please note: While my intent is to keep this blog focused on the facts, PCV stories and generally written from the third person, I am going to write this post from my own first person account as I feel it is necessary and important for this particular post.)
I am so thankful that Director Williams appears to be taking my situation - and similar situations - seriously. This is a serious matter and I look forward to working with Peace Corps to address the issues of rape and sexual assault against PCVs. Director Williams is also an RPCV and I was hoping he would be open to RPCVs coming to him with suggestions for positive change. I am elated that he responded so positively!
I feel that it is very important here to reiterate that I am a proponent of Peace Corps. Up until I was assaulted, I smiled broadly every day knowing I made the right move to do HIV/AIDS outreach work in a country with the highest AIDS rates in the world even though my family and friends said I was crazy. I felt that I was up to the challenge of the "toughest job you'll ever love." (Which is a Peace Corps' slogan.)
My mission with First Response Action is to enhance what Peace Corps already does in terms of sexual assault and rape protocols. Had my situation been handled differently and had I received the necessary care more quickly, I could very well have managed through a difficult situation and continued my service. I am hoping that with policy creation (and/or enhancement) that we can put protocols in place that will assist other PCV survivors so they can get the care and support they need and possibly continue service.
Many RPCVs will tell you that the retention rates in Peace Corps could be better - a lot better. I was told for Africa to expect that 50% of my group would dissipate by the elusive year one mark. For my training group, that's just about right. At last count, about 40-45% of my group has left our country of service - and 3 of us left due to assault. If PCV survivors were managed better across the board, then there is the possibility that they would be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to continue service. Ultimately, retention of volunteers saves Peace Corps time, effort, materials, monetary resources not to mention that retention is also helpful to maintain good relations with the host country.
On an average annual basis between 2004-2008, roughly 4% of the Peace Corps Volunteer population is raped, sexually assaulted, kidnapped, stalked or otherwise violated. These statistics come from Peace Corps materials - the annual Safety of the Volunteer Reports posted on their website. I have not heard from every single one of the combined 20% of violated PCVs over that five year period (which amounts to nearly 1,500 volunteers, by the way) but I have spoken with several women who experienced trauma as a PCV and who were not taken care of. I am striving to help those people.
As those of us who work with organizations who work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault will tell you, rape and sexual assault are grossly underreported. Those 1,500 are a sliver of what is really happening.
These crimes are intimate violations and can be shaming or embarassing to admit. Many people keep their stories to themselves. Personally, I have actively chosen to bypass the shaming stage so I can move straight forward towards positive change. I do this so that other men and women can avoid situations like mine. That doesn't mean that I don't feel, at times, that there is some scarlet lettering on my chest, but I push through because I need to. Too many of us have been violated and sent out of our countries of service. No more.
If you are a survivor who is reading this right now - please know that you did nothing wrong. NO ONE deserves to be violated.
While there are many stories of survivors who were handled improperly, I also heard stories of survivors who were treated well, med-evac'd as needed, and were able to continue their service. I am striving to level that playing field. Why isn't everyone attended to in the same manner? I am striving to create and implement protocols that will ensure that EACH and EVERY survivor is treated in the same respectful manner. I am hoping to enhance what Peace Corps already has in place.
In upcoming blogs, we, the First Response Action Coalition, are planning to have guest bloggers discuss the ramifications of sexual assault and rape, proper protocols, the importance of not blaming the victim, etc. I also plan to post some additional survivor stories. Please keep in mind as you read this blog that while it started because of my assault, I am not alone as an RPCV victim of sexual assault.
Annually, an average of 4% of PCVs experience a violent crime, sexual abuse, stalking, kidnapping, a death threat or even death. Some people are not emotionally or mentally prepared to go public with such a personal story. I respect that immensely. As someone who has been violated, I understand that everyone approaches these issues in their own personal way. Peace Corps has these statistics and can contact each of them to see how they felt their situation was handled.
While prevention is optimal, for those survivors of sexual assault, rape and other violent crime, I am striving to work with Peace Corps to bring about protocol to better support those volunteers.
I hope that my response from Director Williams, with his request for the Office of Volunteer Support and the Office of Safety and Security to follow-up with me, will be the beginning of a collaboration to enhance the current Peace Corps model. Though my story didn't end well, I continue to support Peace Corps as an organization and I am proud to call myself a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer for the United States of America.
Peace. And Sala Sentle.
Casey
(Please note: While my intent is to keep this blog focused on the facts, PCV stories and generally written from the third person, I am going to write this post from my own first person account as I feel it is necessary and important for this particular post.)
I am so thankful that Director Williams appears to be taking my situation - and similar situations - seriously. This is a serious matter and I look forward to working with Peace Corps to address the issues of rape and sexual assault against PCVs. Director Williams is also an RPCV and I was hoping he would be open to RPCVs coming to him with suggestions for positive change. I am elated that he responded so positively!
I feel that it is very important here to reiterate that I am a proponent of Peace Corps. Up until I was assaulted, I smiled broadly every day knowing I made the right move to do HIV/AIDS outreach work in a country with the highest AIDS rates in the world even though my family and friends said I was crazy. I felt that I was up to the challenge of the "toughest job you'll ever love." (Which is a Peace Corps' slogan.)
My mission with First Response Action is to enhance what Peace Corps already does in terms of sexual assault and rape protocols. Had my situation been handled differently and had I received the necessary care more quickly, I could very well have managed through a difficult situation and continued my service. I am hoping that with policy creation (and/or enhancement) that we can put protocols in place that will assist other PCV survivors so they can get the care and support they need and possibly continue service.
Many RPCVs will tell you that the retention rates in Peace Corps could be better - a lot better. I was told for Africa to expect that 50% of my group would dissipate by the elusive year one mark. For my training group, that's just about right. At last count, about 40-45% of my group has left our country of service - and 3 of us left due to assault. If PCV survivors were managed better across the board, then there is the possibility that they would be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to continue service. Ultimately, retention of volunteers saves Peace Corps time, effort, materials, monetary resources not to mention that retention is also helpful to maintain good relations with the host country.
On an average annual basis between 2004-2008, roughly 4% of the Peace Corps Volunteer population is raped, sexually assaulted, kidnapped, stalked or otherwise violated. These statistics come from Peace Corps materials - the annual Safety of the Volunteer Reports posted on their website. I have not heard from every single one of the combined 20% of violated PCVs over that five year period (which amounts to nearly 1,500 volunteers, by the way) but I have spoken with several women who experienced trauma as a PCV and who were not taken care of. I am striving to help those people.
As those of us who work with organizations who work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault will tell you, rape and sexual assault are grossly underreported. Those 1,500 are a sliver of what is really happening.
Sexual assaults are notoriously underreported. Fewer than half (48%) of all rapes and sexual assaults are reported to the police in the U.S. (Department of Justice, 2001)Within the Peace Corps community, that's no different.
These crimes are intimate violations and can be shaming or embarassing to admit. Many people keep their stories to themselves. Personally, I have actively chosen to bypass the shaming stage so I can move straight forward towards positive change. I do this so that other men and women can avoid situations like mine. That doesn't mean that I don't feel, at times, that there is some scarlet lettering on my chest, but I push through because I need to. Too many of us have been violated and sent out of our countries of service. No more.
If you are a survivor who is reading this right now - please know that you did nothing wrong. NO ONE deserves to be violated.
While there are many stories of survivors who were handled improperly, I also heard stories of survivors who were treated well, med-evac'd as needed, and were able to continue their service. I am striving to level that playing field. Why isn't everyone attended to in the same manner? I am striving to create and implement protocols that will ensure that EACH and EVERY survivor is treated in the same respectful manner. I am hoping to enhance what Peace Corps already has in place.
In upcoming blogs, we, the First Response Action Coalition, are planning to have guest bloggers discuss the ramifications of sexual assault and rape, proper protocols, the importance of not blaming the victim, etc. I also plan to post some additional survivor stories. Please keep in mind as you read this blog that while it started because of my assault, I am not alone as an RPCV victim of sexual assault.
Annually, an average of 4% of PCVs experience a violent crime, sexual abuse, stalking, kidnapping, a death threat or even death. Some people are not emotionally or mentally prepared to go public with such a personal story. I respect that immensely. As someone who has been violated, I understand that everyone approaches these issues in their own personal way. Peace Corps has these statistics and can contact each of them to see how they felt their situation was handled.
While prevention is optimal, for those survivors of sexual assault, rape and other violent crime, I am striving to work with Peace Corps to bring about protocol to better support those volunteers.
I hope that my response from Director Williams, with his request for the Office of Volunteer Support and the Office of Safety and Security to follow-up with me, will be the beginning of a collaboration to enhance the current Peace Corps model. Though my story didn't end well, I continue to support Peace Corps as an organization and I am proud to call myself a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer for the United States of America.
Peace. And Sala Sentle.
Casey
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