Peace Corps volunteer protection

The Peace Corps Act is amended by inserting after section 8 (22 U.S.C. 2507) the following new sections:

8A.

Sexual assault risk-reduction and response training

(a)

In general

As part of the training provided to all volunteers under section 8(a), the President shall develop and implement comprehensive sexual assault risk-reduction and response training that, to the extent practicable, conforms to best practices in the sexual assault field. (b)

Development and consultation with experts

In developing the sexual assault risk-reduction and response training under subsection (a), the President shall consult with and incorporate, as appropriate, the recommendations and views of experts in the sexual assault field. (c)

Subsequent training

Once a volunteer has arrived in his or her country of service, the President shall provide the volunteer with training tailored to the country of service that includes cultural training relating to gender relations, risk-reduction strategies, treatment available in such country (including sexual assault forensic exams, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV exposure, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy testing), MedEvac procedures, and information regarding a victim's right to pursue legal action against a perpetrator. (d)

Information regarding crimes and risks

Each applicant for enrollment as a volunteer shall be provided with information regarding crimes against and risks to volunteers in the country in which the applicant has been invited to serve, including an overview of past crimes against volunteers in the country. (e)

Contact information

The President shall provide each applicant, before the applicant enrolls as a volunteer, with— (1)the contact information of the Inspector General of the Peace Corps for purposes of reporting sexual assault mismanagement or any other mismanagement, misconduct, wrongdoing, or violations of law or policy whenever it involves a Peace Corps employee, volunteer, contractor, or outside party that receives funds from the Peace Corps; (2)clear, written guidelines regarding whom to contact, including the direct telephone number for the designated Sexual Assault Response Liaison (SARL) and the Office of Victim Advocacy and what steps to take in the event of a sexual assault or other crime; and (3)contact information for a 24-hour sexual assault hotline to be established for the purpose of providing volunteers a mechanism to anonymously— (A)report sexual assault; (B)receive crisis counseling in the event of a sexual assault; and (C)seek information about Peace Corps sexual assault reporting and response procedures. (f)

Definitions

In this section and sections 8B through 8G: (1)

Personally identifying information

The term personally identifying information means individually identifying information for or about a volunteer who is a victim of sexual assault, including information likely to disclose the location of such victim, including the following: (A)A first and last name. (B)A home or other physical address. (C)Contact information (including a postal, email, or Internet protocol address, or telephone or facsimile number). (D)A social security number. (E)Any other information, including date of birth, racial or ethnic background, or religious affiliation, that, in combination with information described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), would serve to identify the victim. (2)

Restricted reporting

(A)

In general

The term restricted reporting means a system of reporting that allows a volunteer who is sexually assaulted to confidentially disclose the details of his or her assault to specified individuals and receive the services outlined in section 8B(c) without the dissemination of his or her personally identifying information except as necessary for the provision of such services, and without automatically triggering an official investigative process. (B)

Exceptions

In cases in which volunteers elect restricted reporting, disclosure of their personally identifying information is authorized to the following persons or organizations when disclosure would be for the following reasons: (i)Peace Corps staff or law enforcement when authorized by the victim in writing. (ii)Peace Corps staff or law enforcement to prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the health or safety of the victim or another person. (iii)SARLs, victim advocates or healthcare providers when required for the provision of victim services. (iv)State and Federal courts when ordered, or if disclosure is required by Federal or State statute. (C)

Notice of disclosure and privacy protection

In cases in which information is disclosed pursuant to subparagraph (B), the President shall— (i)make reasonable attempts to provide notice to the volunteer with respect to whom such information is being released; and (ii)take such action as is necessary to protect the privacy and safety of the volunteer. (3)

Sexual assault

The term sexual assault means any conduct prescribed by chapter 109A of title 18, United States Code, whether or not the conduct occurs in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and includes both assaults committed by offenders who are strangers to the victim and assaults committed by offenders who are known or related by blood or marriage to the victim. (4)

Stalking

The term stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to— (A)fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or (B)suffer substantial emotional distress.

8B.

Sexual assault policy

(a)

In general

The President shall develop and implement a comprehensive sexual assault policy that— (1)includes a system for restricted and unrestricted reporting of sexual assault; (2)mandates, for each Peace Corps country program, the designation of a Sexual Assault Response Liaison (SARL), who shall receive comprehensive training on procedures to respond to reports of sexual assault, with duties including ensuring that volunteers who are victims of sexual assault are moved to a safe environment and accompanying victims through the in-country response at the request of the victim; (3)requires SARLs to immediately contact a Victim Advocate upon receiving a report of sexual assault in accordance with the restricted and unrestricted reporting guidelines promulgated by the Peace Corps; (4)to the extent practicable, conforms to best practices in the sexual assault field; (5)is applicable to all posts at which volunteers serve; and (6)includes a guarantee that volunteers will not suffer loss of living allowances for reporting a sexual assault. (b)

Development and consultation with experts

In developing the sexual assault policy under subsection (a), the President shall consult with and incorporate, as appropriate, the recommendations and views of experts in the sexual assault field, including experts with international experience. (c)

Elements

The sexual assault policy developed under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following services with respect to a volunteer who has been a victim of sexual assault: (1)The option of pursuing either restricted or unrestricted reporting of an assault. (2)Provision of a SARL and Victim’s Advocate to the volunteer. (3)At a volunteer's discretion, provision of a sexual assault forensic exam in accordance with applicable host country law. (4)If necessary, the provision of emergency health care, including a mechanism for such volunteer to evaluate such provider. (5)If necessary, the provision of counseling and psychiatric medication. (6)Completion of a safety and treatment plan with the volunteer, if necessary. (7)Evacuation of such volunteer for medical treatment, accompanied by a Peace Corps staffer at the request of such volunteer. When evacuated to the United States, such volunteer shall be provided, to the extent practicable, a choice of medical providers including a mechanism for such volunteers to evaluate the provider. (8)An explanation to the volunteer of available law enforcement and prosecutorial options, and legal representation. (d)

Training

The President shall train all staff outside the United States regarding the sexual assault policy developed under subsection (a).

8C.

Office of victim advocacy

(a)

Establishment of office of victims advocacy

(1)

In general

The President shall establish an Office of Victim Advocacy in Peace Corps headquarters headed by a full-time victim advocate who shall report directly to the Director. The Office of Victim Advocacy may deploy personnel abroad when necessary to help assist victims. (2)

Prohibition

Peace Corps Medical Officers, Safety and Security Officers, and program staff may not serve as victim advocates. The victim advocate referred to in paragraph (1) may not have any other duties in the Peace Corps that are not reasonably connected to victim advocacy. (3)

Exemption

The victim advocate and any additional victim advocates shall be exempt from the limitations specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) and paragraph (5) under section 7(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506(a)). (b)

Responsibilities

(1)

Victims of sexual assault

The Office of Victim Advocacy shall help develop and update the sexual assault risk-reduction and response training described in section 8A and the sexual assault policy described in section 8B, ensure that volunteers who are victims of sexual assault receive services specified in section 8B(c), and facilitate their access to such services. (2)

Other crimes

In addition to assisting victims of sexual assault in accordance with paragraph (1), the Office of Victim Advocacy shall assist volunteers who are victims of crime by making such victims aware of the services available to them and facilitating their access to such services. (3)

Priority

The Office of Victim Advocacy shall give priority to cases involving serious crimes, including sexual assault and stalking. (c)

Status updates

The Office of Victim Advocacy shall provide to volunteers who are victims regular updates on the status of their cases if such volunteers have opted to pursue prosecution. (d)

Transition

The Office of Victim Advocacy shall assist volunteers who are victims of crime and whose service has terminated in receiving the services specified in section 8B(c) requested by such volunteer. (e)

Sunset

This section shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

8D.

Establishment of Sexual Assault Advisory Council

(a)

Establishment

There is established a Sexual Assault Advisory Council (in this section referred to as the Council). (b)

Membership

The Council shall be composed of not less than 8 individuals selected by the President, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, who are returned volunteers (including volunteers who were victims of sexual assault and volunteers who were not victims of sexual assault) and governmental and nongovernmental experts and professionals in the sexual assault field. No Peace Corps employee shall be a member of the Council. The number of governmental experts appointed to the Council shall not exceed the number of nongovernmental experts. (c)

Functions; Meetings

The Council shall meet not less often than annually to review the sexual assault risk-reduction and response training developed under section 8A, the sexual assault policy developed under section 8B, and such other matters related to sexual assault the Council views as appropriate, to ensure that such training and policy conform to the extent practicable to best practices in the sexual assault field. (d)

Reports

On an annual basis for 5 years after the date of the enactment of this section and at the discretion of the Council thereafter, the Council shall submit to the President and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on its findings based on the reviews conducted pursuant to subsection (c). (e)

Employee status

Members of the Council shall not be considered employees of the United States Government for any purpose and shall not receive compensation other than reimbursement of travel expenses and per diem allowance in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (f)

Nonapplicability of FACA

The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council. (g)

Sunset

This section shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2018.

8E.

Volunteer feedback and Peace Corps review

(a)

Monitoring and evaluation

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the President shall establish goals, metrics, and monitoring and evaluation plans for all Peace Corps programs. Monitoring and evaluation plans shall incorporate best practices from monitoring and evaluation studies and analyses. (b)

Performance plans and elements

The President shall establish performance plans with performance elements and standards for Peace Corps representatives and shall review the performance of Peace Corps representatives not less than annually to determine whether they have met these performance elements and standards. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting the discretion of the President to remove a Peace Corps representative. (c)

Annual volunteer surveys

Annually through September 30, 2018, the President shall conduct a confidential survey of volunteers regarding the effectiveness of Peace Corps programs and staff and the safety of volunteers. The results shall be provided in aggregate form without identifying information to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. Results from the annual volunteer survey shall be considered in reviewing the performance of Peace Corps representatives under subsection (a). (d)

Peace Corps Inspector General

The Inspector General of the Peace Corps shall— (1)submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives— (A)a report, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, and biennially through September 30, 2018, 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; (B)a report, not later than two years and five years after the date of the enactment of this section, evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of the sexual assault risk-reduction and response training developed under section 8A and the sexual assault policy developed under section 8B, including a case review of a statistically significant number of cases; and (C)a report, not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, describing how Peace Corps representatives are hired, how Peace Corps representatives are terminated, and how Peace Corps representatives hire staff, including an assessment of the implementation of the performance plans described in subsection (b); and (2)when conducting audits or evaluations of Peace Corps programs overseas, notify the Director of the Peace Corps about the results of such evaluations, including concerns the Inspector General has noted, if any, about the performance of Peace Corps representatives, for appropriate action. (e)

Portfolio reviews

(1)

In General

The President shall, at least once every 3 years, perform a review to evaluate the allocation and delivery of resources across the countries the Peace Corps serves or is considering for service. Such portfolio reviews shall at a minimum include the following with respect to each such country: (A)An evaluation of the country’s commitment to the Peace Corps program. (B)An analysis of the safety and security of volunteers. (C)An evaluation of the country’s need for assistance. (D)An analysis of country program costs. (E)An evaluation of the effectiveness of management of each post within a country. (F)An evaluation of the country’s congruence with the Peace Corp’s mission and strategic priorities. (2)

Briefing

Upon request of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate or the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, the President shall brief such committees on each portfolio review required under paragraph (1). If requested, each such briefing shall discuss performance measures and sources of data used (such as project status reports, volunteer surveys, impact studies, reports of Inspector General of the Peace Corps, and any relevant external sources) in making the findings and conclusions in such review.

8F.

Establishment of a policy on stalking

(a)

In general

The President shall develop and implement a comprehensive policy on stalking that— (1)requires an immediate, effective, and thorough response from the Peace Corps upon receipt of a report of stalking; (2)provides, during training, all Peace Corps volunteers with a point of contact for the reporting of stalking; and (3)protects the confidentiality of volunteers who report stalking to the maximum extent practicable. (b)

Development and consultation with experts

In developing the stalking policy under subsection (a), the President shall consult with and incorporate, as appropriate, the recommendations and views of those with expertise regarding the crime of stalking. (c)

Training of in-country staff

The President shall provide for the training of all in-country staff regarding the stalking policy developed under subsection (a).

8G.

Establishment of a confidentiality protection policy

(a)

In general

The President shall establish and maintain a process to allow volunteers to report incidents of misconduct or mismanagement, or violations of any policy, of the Peace Corps in order to protect the confidentiality and safety of such volunteers and of the information reported, and to ensure that such information is acted on appropriately. This process shall conform to existing best practices regarding confidentiality. (b)

Guidance

The President shall provide additional training to officers and employees of the Peace Corps who have access to information reported by volunteers under subsection (a) in order to protect against the inappropriate disclosures of such information and ensure the safety of such volunteers. (c)

Penalty

Any Peace Corps volunteer or staff member who is responsible for maintaining confidentiality under subsection (a) and who breaches such duty shall be subject to disciplinary action, including termination, and in the case of a staff member, ineligibility for re-employment with the Peace Corps.

8H.

Removal and assessment and evaluation

(a)

In general

If a volunteer requests removal from the site in which such volunteer is serving because the volunteer feels at risk of imminent bodily harm, the President shall, as expeditiously as practical after receiving such request, remove the volunteer from the site. If the President receives such a request, the President shall assess and evaluate the safety of such site and may not assign another volunteer to the site until such time as the assessment and evaluation is complete and the site has been determined to be safe. Volunteers may remain at a site during the assessment and evaluation. (b)

Determination of site as unsafe

If the President determines that a site is unsafe for any remaining volunteers at the site, the President shall, as expeditiously as practical, remove all volunteers from the site. (c)

Tracking and recording

The President shall establish a global tracking and recording system to track and record incidents of crimes against volunteers.

8I.

Reporting requirements

(a)

In general

The President shall annually through September 30, 2018, submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report summarizing information on— (1)sexual assault of volunteers; (2)other crimes against volunteers; (3)the number of arrests, prosecutions, and incarcerations for crimes involving Peace Corps volunteers for every country in which volunteers serve; and (4)the annual rate of early termination of volunteers, including demographic 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 Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report evaluating the quality and accessibility of health care provided through the Department of Labor to returned volunteers upon their separation from the Peace Corps. (c)

Access to communications

(1)

In general

The President shall determine the level of access to communication, including cellular and Internet access, of each volunteer. (2)

Report

Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this section, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on the costs, feasibility, and benefits of providing all volunteers with access to adequate communication, including cellular service and Internet access.