Volunteers with the U.S. Peace Corps have claimed the agency still has not improved its handling of sexual assault accusations, according to a recent poll. An anonymous questionnaire filled in by Peace Corps volunteers shows that one in five have been sexually assaulted during their service, according to CBS News. Several of the survey respondents aired their complaints and many indicated they felt criticized and were threatened with job loss.
Yet, in 2011 following nearly two years of scrutiny, the Peace Corps promised a change.
The U.S. Congress even passed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act after the murder of a volunteer who had accused an employee of molesting women in Benin, according to The Daily Beast.
"The law was passed to get the Peace Corps to take care of Peace Corps Volunteers that were assaulted, rather than to cover up and hide... They haven't gotten to that place yet," Rep. Ted Poe, a congressman who was involved in designing the bill told The Daily Beast. "They find reasons not to help victims rather than find reasons to support them."
However, those in the agency said they have been making changes since the law was passed.
"In total these efforts demonstrate our commitment to building a culture that does not in any way blame victims or retaliate against them for speaking out, but rather an agency that continues to make great strides in reaching out to victims of sexual assault and ensuring they are receiving the care they deserve," Peace Corps spokesman Kevin Harris said. "We are proud of our significant efforts to date, which include more than 30 policy changes, and we continue to assess areas where our response can be made stronger."
In 2010-2011, several Peace Corps Volunteers expressed concern about the agency's reaction to sexual assault complaints calling the response "inadequate, uncompassionate, victim-blaming, and ineffective and cited a lack of staff accountability to or oversight of the response effort," according to a U.S. Government document.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed the Peace Corps' process in 2011, which resulted in some changes to how the Peace Corps handles complaints. Some of those changes included a framework for responding to sexual assaults, the hiring of a victim advocate and guidance and training for staff.
The victim advocate, Kellie Greene, has expressed frustration over the survey results.
"I pushed the agency to really do what they have the capability of doing," Green told CBS News. "And that's what's so frustrating because they have the ability to do this and it is a choice not to."
The Peace Corps has suspended Greene without pay and has accused her of creating a hostile work environment.
The survey reported by CBS News was sent to 183 people and 52 responded.
Despite the controversy there has been an increase of volunteers hoping to serve with the agency. This year alone has seen 23,000 applications, the highest number since 1975, according to The Daily Texan.
About 7,000 Peace Corps serve in over 60 countries, according to CBS News.
