I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2337 
To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault risk-reduction and 
response training, the development of sexual assault protocol and guide-
lines, the establishment of victims advocates, the establishment of a 
Sexual Assault Advisory Council, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 23, 2011 
Mr. POE of Texas (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. 
COSTA, Mr. FARR, Ms. TSONGAS, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. CONNOLLY of 
Virginia, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Ms. BUERKLE, Ms. WILSON of Florida, 
Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. CAPUANO, and Ms. SPEIER) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault 
risk-reduction and response training, the development of 
sexual assault protocol and guidelines, the establishment 
of victims advocates, the establishment of a Sexual As-
sault Advisory Council, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Kate Puzey Peace 
Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER PROTECTION. 
The Peace Corps Act is amended by inserting after 
section 8 (22 U.S.C. 2507) the following new sections: 
‘‘SEXUAL ASSAULT RISK-REDUCTION AND RESPONSE 
TRAINING 
‘‘SEC. 8A. (a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the training 
provided to all volunteers under section 8(a), the Director 
of the Peace Corps shall develop and implement com-
prehensive sexual assault risk-reduction and response 
training that conforms to best practices in the sexual as-
sault field as appropriate for first responders and other 
staff. 
‘‘(b) DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTATION WITH EX-
PERTS.—In developing the sexual assault risk-reduction 
and response training under subsection (a), the Director 
of the Peace Corps shall consult with and incorporate, as 
appropriate, the recommendations and views of experts in 
the sexual assault field. 
‘‘(c) SUBSEQUENT TRAINING.—Once a trainee has 
arrived in such trainee’s country of service, the Director 
of the Peace Corps shall provide such trainee with training 
tailored to such country, including cultural training relat-
ing to gender relations, risk-reduction strategies, a safety 
plan in the event of an assault, treatment available in such 
country (such as forensic rape exams, PEP for HIV expo-
sure, STD screening, and pregnancy testing), MedEvac 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘assault’ 
means an act that— 
‘‘(i) creates an apprehension in an in-
dividual of an imminent, harmful, or offen-
sive contact; or 
‘‘(ii) is a harmful or offensive touch-
ing. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSION.—The term ‘assault’ in-
cludes stalking and sexual assault. 
‘‘(2) SEXUAL ASSAULT.—The term ‘sexual as-
sault’ means any conduct described in chapter 109A 
of title 18, United States Code, relating to aggra-
vated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and sexual contact, 
whether or not the conduct occurs in the special 
maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United 
States, and includes both assaults committed by of-
fenders who are strangers to the victim and assaults 
committed by offenders who are known or related by 
blood or marriage to the victim. 
‘‘(3) STALKING.—The term ‘stalking’ means 
engaging in a course of conduct directed at a spe-
cific person that would cause a reasonable person 
to— 
‘‘(A) fear for his or her safety or the safety 
of others; or 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) suffer substantial emotional distress. 
‘‘(4) INCLUSION OF TRAINEES.—The term ‘vol-
unteers’ includes trainees. 
‘‘SEXUAL ASSAULT PROTOCOL AND GUIDELINES 
‘‘SEC. 8B. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the 
Peace Corps shall develop and implement comprehensive 
sexual assault protocol and guidelines that— 
‘‘(1) conform to best practices in the sexual assault 
field; and 
‘‘(2) are applicable to all posts at which volunteers 
serve. 
‘‘(b) DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTATION WITH EX-
PERTS.—In developing the sexual assault policy under 
subsection (a), the Director of the Peace Corps shall con-
sult with and incorporate, as appropriate, the rec-
ommendations and views of experts in the sexual assault 
field. 
‘‘(c) ELEMENTS.—The sexual assault protocol and 
guidelines developed under subsection (a) shall include, at 
a minimum, the following services with respect to a volun-
teer who has been a victim of sexual assault: 
‘‘(1) Protection of such volunteer’s confidentiality. 
‘‘(2) Provision of a victim’s advocate to such volun-
teer. 
‘‘(3) Provision of a sexual assault forensic evidence 
kit to such volunteer upon request. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) Provision of emergency health care to such vol-
unteer, including, to the greatest extent practicable, a 
choice of medical providers and a mechanism for such vol-
unteer to evaluate such provider. 
‘‘(5) Provision of counseling and psychiatric medica-
tion. 
‘‘(6) Completion of a safety and treatment plan with 
such volunteer. 
‘‘(7) Evacuation of such volunteer, accompanied by 
a Peace Corps staffer at the request of such volunteer. 
‘‘(8) An explanation to such volunteer of available law 
enforcement, prosecutorial options, and legal representa-
tion. 
‘‘(d) DISTRIBUTION AND TRAINING.—The Director 
of the Peace Corps shall distribute to and train all in- 
country staff regarding the sexual assault protocol and 
guidelines developed under subsection (a). 
‘‘(e) REMOVAL
AND ASSESSMENT
AND EVALUA-
TION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If a volunteer feels at risk of im-
minent bodily harm and requests removal from the site 
in which such volunteer is serving, the Director of the 
Peace Corps shall, as expeditiously as practical after re-
ceiving such request, remove such volunteer from such 
site. If the Director of the Peace Corps receives such a 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
request, the Director of the Peace Corps shall assess and 
evaluate the safety of such site and may not assign an-
other volunteer to such site until such time as such assess-
ment and evaluation is complete and such site has been 
determined to be safe. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION OF SITE AS UNSAFE.—Volun-
teers may remain at a site during an assessment and eval-
uation under paragraph (1). If the Director the Peace 
Corps determines that a site is unsafe, the Director of the 
Peace Corps shall, as expeditiously as practical, remove 
all volunteers from such site. 
‘‘(f) SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAMS.—The Di-
rector of the Peace Corps shall establish sexual assault 
response teams, including Safety and Security Officers, 
medical staff, and a victim advocate, that can respond to 
reports of sexual assault against a volunteer. 
‘‘(g) CASE REVIEW.—The Director of the Peace 
Corps shall conduct case reviews of a statistically signifi-
cant number of cases on a quarterly basis to determine 
if proper procedures were followed in accordance with the 
sexual assault protocols and guidelines developed under 
subsection (a) and including the elements specified in sub-
section (c). 
‘‘(h) TRACKING AND RECORDING.—The Director of 
the Peace Corps shall establish a global tracking and re-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
cording system to track and record incidents of assault 
against volunteers. 
‘‘(i) PROHIBITION ON COMBINING INCIDENTS.—The 
Director of the Peace Corps may not combine into one 
incident for purposes of tracking and recording under sub-
section (h) reports by different volunteers of assault 
against such volunteers even if such assaults were com-
mitted by one individual against such volunteers at any 
one time. 
‘‘(j) ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS.—The Director of the 
Peace Corps shall establish an alternative reporting sys-
tem and hotline access system through which volunteers 
who are victims of assault can report and receive support 
on an anonymous basis. Such alternative systems shall be 
published in the Volunteer Handbook. 
‘‘VICTIMS ADVOCATES 
‘‘SEC. 8C. (a) VICTIMS ADVOCATES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Peace Corps 
shall assign a certified victims advocate in Peace Corps 
headquarters who shall report directly to the Director. The 
Director of the Peace Corps shall assign not fewer than 
three additional certified victims advocates to assist such 
victims advocate. Such additional victims advocates shall 
have regional expertise and may be posted abroad if such 
victims advocate determines that such is necessary. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION.—Peace Corps Medical Officers, 
Safety and Security Officers, and program staff may not 
serve as victims advocates. The victims advocate and addi-
tional victims advocates may not have any other duties 
in the Peace Corps. 
‘‘(3) EXEMPTION.—The victims advocate and addi-
tional victims advocates shall be exempt from the five year 
rule on appointments and assignments under section 7. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The victims advocate and 
additional victims advocates shall help develop and imple-
ment the sexual assault risk-reduction and response train-
ing described in section 8A and the sexual assault protocol 
and guidelines described in section 8B and ensure such 
training and such protocol and guidelines are being prop-
erly updated and followed. The victims advocate and addi-
tional victims advocates shall assist volunteers who are vic-
tims of assault by making such victims aware of the serv-
ices specified in section 8B(c) available to them and facili-
tating their access to such services. 
‘‘(c) STATUS UPDATES.—The victims advocate and 
additional victims advocates shall provide to volunteers 
who are victims of assault regular updates on the status 
of their cases if such volunteers have opted to pursue pros-
ecution. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(d) TRANSITION.—A victims advocate who is work-
ing with a volunteer who is a victim of assault and who 
relocates back to the United States shall assist such volun-
teer to receive the services specified in section 8B(c) re-
quired by such volunteer, including through the duration 
of the claim with the Department of Labor, even after 
such volunteer is medically separated. 
‘‘ESTABLISHMENT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORY 
COUNCIL 
‘‘SEC. 8D. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is estab-
lished in the Peace Corps a Sexual Assault Advisory Coun-
cil (in this section referred to as the ‘Council’). 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council shall be composed 
of individuals selected by the Director of the Peace Corps 
who are returned volunteers (including volunteers who 
were victims of sexual assault and volunteers who were 
not victims of sexual assault) and governmental and non-
governmental experts and professionals in the sexual as-
sault field. 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS; MEETINGS.—The Council shall 
meet not less often than annually to review the sexual as-
sault risk-reduction and response training developed under 
section 8A, sexual assault policy developed under section 
8B, and the confidentiality policy developed under section 
8F to ensure that such training and policies conform to 
best practices in the sexual assault field. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—The Council shall annually submit 
to the Director of the Peace Corps and the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives and Committee on For-
eign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate a report on its findings based on the reviews 
conducted pursuant to subsection (c). 
‘‘(e) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Coun-
cil shall not be considered Federal employees for any pur-
pose and shall not receive compensation other than reim-
bursement of travel expenses and per diem allowance. 
‘‘(f) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF FACA.—The Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to the Council. 
‘‘VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK AND PEACE CORPS REVIEW 
‘‘SEC. 8E. (a) MONITORING AND EVALUATION.—Not 
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
section, the Director of the Peace Corps shall establish 
goals, metrics, and monitoring and evaluation plans for 
all Peace Corps programs and Country Directors. Moni-
toring and evaluation plans shall incorporate best prac-
tices from monitoring and evaluation studies and analyses. 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL VOLUNTEER SURVEYS.—The Director 
of the Peace Corps shall annually conduct a confidential 
survey of volunteers regarding the effectiveness of Peace 
Corps programs and staff and the safety of volunteers. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(c) PEACE CORPS INSPECTOR GENERAL.—The In-
spector General of the Peace Corps shall submit to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Ap-
propriations of the House of Representatives and Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate the following: 
‘‘(1) A biennial report on reports received from 
volunteers relating to misconduct, mismanagement, 
or policy violations of Peace Corps staff, any 
breaches of the confidentiality of volunteers, and any 
actions taken to assure the safety of volunteers who 
provide such reports. 
‘‘(2) A report, not later than two years after 
the date of the enactment of this section and every 
five years thereafter, evaluating the effectiveness and 
implementation of the assault risk-reduction and re-
sponse training developed under section 8A and the 
sexual assault protocol and guidelines developed 
under section 8B. 
‘‘(3) A trend analysis every three years of the 
annual volunteer surveys, including actions taken in 
response to such surveys. 
‘‘(4) A report, not later than two years after 
the date of the enactment of this section, describing 
how Country Directors are hired, how Country Di-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
rectors are terminated, and how Country Directors 
hire staff. 
‘‘(d) EVALUATION DEFINED.—For purposes of this 
section, the term ‘evaluation’ means the systematic collec-
tion and analysis of information about the characteristics 
and outcomes of programs and projects as a basis for 
judgments, to improve effectiveness, or inform decisions 
about current and future programming. 
‘‘NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVATE 
INFORMATION 
‘‘SEC. 8F. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the 
Peace Corps shall establish and maintain a process to 
allow volunteers to report incidents of assault, incidents 
of misconduct or mismanagement, or violations of any pol-
icy, of the Peace Corps in order to protect the confiden-
tiality in accordance with subsection (c) and safety of such 
volunteers and of the information reported, and to ensure 
that such information is acted on appropriately. The Di-
rector of the Peace Corps shall train all volunteers and 
staff about this process. 
‘‘(b) GUIDANCE.—The Director of the Peace Corps 
shall provide guidance to officers and employees of the 
Peace Corps who have access to the information reported 
by volunteers under subsection (a) in order to protect 
against the inappropriate disclosure of such information 
and ensure the safety of such volunteers. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(c) NONDISCLOSURE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graphs (1) and (2), the Director of the Peace Corps 
may not— 
‘‘(A) disclose any personally identifying in-
formation or personal information of a volun-
teer who is a victim of assault collected in con-
nection with services requested, utilized, or de-
nied through Peace Corps programs; or 
‘‘(B) reveal such information without the 
informed, purpose-limited, and reasonably time- 
limited consent of such volunteer about whom 
such information is sought. 
‘‘(2) RELEASE.—If the release of information 
described in paragraph (1) is authorized by statute 
or compelled by court order, the Director of the 
Peace Corps shall— 
‘‘(A) make reasonable attempts to provide 
notice to the volunteer with respect to whom 
such information is being released; and 
‘‘(B) take such action as is necessary to 
protect the privacy and safety of such volunteer. 
‘‘(3) INFORMATION SHARING.—The Director of 
the Peace Corps may share— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) nonpersonally identifying information 
in the aggregate regarding services to volun-
teers and nonpersonally identifying demo-
graphic information in order to comply with re-
porting, evaluation, or data collection require-
ments; 
‘‘(B) nonpersonally indentifying informa-
tion that would protect the safety of volunteers; 
‘‘(C) court-generated information and law- 
enforcement generated information contained in 
secure, governmental registries for protection 
order enforcement purposes; and 
‘‘(D) law enforcement- and prosecution- 
generated information necessary for law en-
forcement and prosecution purposes. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITION.—In this section, the terms ‘per-
sonally identifying information’ and ‘personal information’ 
mean information for or about a volunteer who is a victim 
of assault, including information likely to disclose the loca-
tion of such victim, including the following: 
‘‘(1) A first and last name. 
‘‘(2) A home or other physical address. 
‘‘(3) Contact information (including a postal, 
email, or Internet protocol address, or telephone or 
facsimile number). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) A social security number. 
‘‘(5) Any other information, including date of 
birth, racial or ethnic background, or religious affili-
ation, that, in combination with paragraphs (1) 
through (4), would serve to identify such victim. 
‘‘REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
‘‘SEC. 8G. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the 
Peace Corps shall annually submit to the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on For-
eign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate a report summarizing information on— 
‘‘(1) sexual assault against volunteers; 
‘‘(2) assault against volunteers; and 
‘‘(3) the annual rate of early termination of volun-
teers, including, to the maximum extent practicable, demo-
graphic data associated with such early termination. 
‘‘(b) GAO.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on For-
eign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate a report evaluating the quality and accessibility 
of health care provided through the Department of Labor 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
(1) by inserting ‘‘(including, if necessary, for 
such volunteers and for trainees, services under sec-
tion 8C)’’ after ‘‘health care’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘including services provided in 
accordance with section 8C (except that the six- 
month limitation shall not apply in the case of such 
services)’’ before ‘‘as the President’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:10 Jun 29, 2011
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2337.IH
H2337
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS