Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2337
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2011-06-23 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal justice information and records
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Employment and training programs
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Peace Corps
Right of privacy
Sex offenses
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-06-23
text: 
Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to require the Director of the Peace Corps: (1) as part of the training provided to all volunteers, to develop and implement comprehensive sexual assault risk-reduction and response training that conforms to best practices in the sexual assault field; and (2) once a trainee has arrived in such trainee's country of service, to provide that individual with training tailored to such country, including cultural training relating to gender relations, risk-reduction strategies, a safety plan in the event of an assault, treatment available in such country, MedEvac procedures, and information regarding the legal process for pressing charges against an attacker.

Requires the Director to provide each: (1) applicant for enrollment with a historical analysis of crimes against, and risks to, volunteers in the country in which the applicant has been invited to serve; and (2) trainee, before enrolling as a volunteer, with contact information of the Peace Corps' Inspector General for purposes of reporting violations of the sexual assault protocol or any other criminal or administrative wrongdoing by individuals who do business with the Peace Corps, and with clear, written guidelines regarding whom to contact and what steps to take in the event of a sexual assault.
 
 Requires the Director to: (1) develop, implement, and distribute comprehensive sexual assault protocol guidelines that conform to best practices in the sexual assault field that are applicable to all posts at which volunteers serve, and train all in-country staff regarding the protocol and guidelines; (2) expeditiously remove a volunteer who feels at risk of imminent bodily harm and requests removal from the site in which such volunteer is serving, and assess and evaluate the safety of the site; (3) establish sexual assault response teams; (4) conduct case reviews of a statistically significant number of cases on a quarterly basis; (5) establish a global tracking and recording system to track and record incidents of assault against volunteers; (6) establish an alternative reporting system and hotline access system through which volunteers who are assault victims can report and receive support anonymously; and (7) assign a certified victims advocate in Peace Corps headquarters who shall report directly to the Director.
 
 Establishes in the Peace Corps a Sexual Assault Advisory Council.
 
 Requires the Director to: (1) establish goals, metrics, and monitoring and evaluation plans for all Peace Corps programs and Country Directors; (2) annually conduct a confidential survey of volunteers regarding the effectiveness of Peace Corps programs and staff and the safety of volunteers; (3) establish and maintain a process to protect confidentiality and safety of volunteers reporting incidents and the information reported and to ensure that such information is acted on appropriately; and (4) determine the level of access to communication, including cellular and Internet access, of each volunteer. 
 
Prohibits the Director from: (1) disclosing personally identifying information or personal information of a volunteer who is a victim of assault collected in connection with services requested, utilized, or denied through Peace Corps programs; or (2) revealing such information without the informed, purpose-limited, and reasonably time-limited consent of such volunteer about whom such information is sought.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-21
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2011-09-21
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-06-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2011-06-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-06-23
text: Introduced in House