Congressional Hearing Postponed

The Congressional hearing about sexual assault in Peace Cops, which was scheduled for this month, has been postponed due to a need for a hearing about the current crisis in Libya. The House Foreign Affairs Committee is looking at dates and checking schedules of parties who need to be present at the rescheduled hearing. Feel free to check our website, www.firstresponseaction.org, or this blog for updates.

You can also join our mailing list by emailing firstresponseaction@gmail.com with 'Join' in the subject line.

Candlelight Vigil for Kate Puzey on Friday, March 11 in D.C.

Kate Puzey is a Volunteer who was murdered in Benin in 2009. Her story was highlighted on an episode of 20/20 in January. The Puzey family have started a new website in Kate's memory and they are hosting a vigil this Friday in D.C. to honor her memory and service as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Here are details from the Kate's Voice website, which the Puzey family started to honor Kate's memory:

March 11th Vigil: “Light A Candle For Kate”

On Friday, March 11th – the 2nd anniversary of Kate Puzey’s death – there will be a vigil to honor Kate and the sacrifices of all other Peace Corps volunteer victims in front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.

They also have a facebook page for Kate's Voice.

The Puzey family is also very sensitive to the experiences of other Volunteers who are victimized, including survivors of physical and sexual assault. They are hoping for a supportive turnout at the vigil this Friday. If you or someone you know is in the D.C. area this Friday, please consider honoring Kate's memory with a visit to the Capitol.

Peace,
Casey

First Response Action Requests Your Stories for Congressional Hearing

Following the recent episode of 20/20 which featured RPCVs who were sexually assaulted during their service, Congress has decided to explore the issue further and has asked First Response Action to provide additional information from RPCVs about their experiences, prevention and response efforts, and possible policy enhancements. This is for an upcoming hearing, most likely at the end of March.

Pursuant to that request, we, First Response Action, are gathering stories of former volunteers who experienced sexual assault while serving in the Peace Corps. We have model affidavits to help survivors tell their stories, and will share those stories with Congress affording survivors whatever level of anonymity or attribution they choose. We are also interested in the stories of RPCVs advocates and others, including Peace Corps staff (current or former) including former Country Directors, who may have information regarding sexual assault prevention and response policies.

The parameters are very open for this. We are seeking stories from Volunteers who served during any decade, in any region and who have any type of story. Every story helps Congress frame the issue of Peace Corps' response to sexual assault.

If you are interested in sharing your story, or would like further information, please contact Casey Frazee at firstresponseaction@gmail.com.

All inquiries will be considered confidential.

Trouble with Worker's Comp?

About a week ago, one of our First Response Action members, Jess Smochek, met with Peace Corps officials and one of our Congressional allies. Ed Hobson, Associate Director for Safety and Security at Peace Corps, said he was SHOCKED that survivors are having trouble accessing services through Worker's Comp.

Ed personally agreed to advocate for survivors who are having trouble getting money and support from Worker's Comp.

If you are having trouble with Worker's Comp (or haven't tried for fear of trouble) please contact me at firstresponseaction@gmail.com and I will get you in touch with the right people to help.

Peace Corps promises to cover any service-related injuries for the rest of your life and being assaulted or raped (or otherwise violated) during service counts as a service-related injury and you DESERVE to be covered.

I'm happy to see that Peace Corps is taking a step in the right direction to support survivors.

Casey

Peace Corps Job Posting for Victim Advocate

Within the past two weeks, Peace Corps posted a Victim Advocate position on their website. After the first posting was taken down and re-vamped, it re-appeared this week in it's current, more robust form. The Victim Advocate will be based in D.C.

Here are the highlights:

Job Title: Program Advisor (Victims Advocate)

Agency: Peace Corps

DUTIES:(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

Serves as the principal agency advocate for Volunteers who become victims of crime. Develops processes to ensure effective communications channels for victims.

Establish best practices protocols for victim support.

Develops training objectives and course materials for formal training programs in the area of victims advocacy.

Performs liaisons and consultations with other federal agencies and outside organizations on victims support and advocacy.

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Qualifications and Evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:(The KSAs below may not apply at all grades)

Demonstrated knowledge of victims advocacy protocols, programs, best practices.

Ability to conduct complex analyses of institutional policies, practices and procedures.

Ability to identify and develop corrective strategies aimed and ensuring holistic support services and systems for victims of crimes.

Ability to communicate with senior level policy makers in government and outside experts in the area of victims advocacy.

Ability to coordinate response and support services and track outcomes.

Ability to work in a multi-cultural context

Take a look at the full Victim Advocate job posting for yourself and let me know what you think at firstresponseaction@gmail.com.

Casey

Congressman Ted Poe's Floor Speech 2-8-11

Congressman Ted Poe, who is the co-chair of the Victims Rights Caucus, is a supporter of First Response Action and of increased Peace Corps response to sexual assault and rape. He gave a floor speech about this important issue on 2/8.

View the floor speech here.

Congressman Poe spoke about the need to respond appropriately to incidences of sexual assault and rape and not to blame victims. He stresses that perpetrators need to be held accountable for their crimes. Congressman Poe describes situations that happened to several Volunteers.

ABC News: Congress to Investigate Peace Corps Treatment of Sex Assault Victims

In an ABCnews.com story today, ABC News reports about an anticipated Congressional investigation into Peace Corps' management of incidences of sexual violence.

The story was spurred by a speech given by Congressman Poe to the House floor on Monday 1/24. Congressmen Ted Poe, R-Texas, and Jim Costa, D-CA, head the Victims' Rights Caucus and are supporters of First Response Action. Jointly, they sent a letter of support to Peace Corps in favor of FRA's mission to improve training on sexual assault and response to survivors of sexual violence.