Safety in the Peace Corps

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about safety in the Peace Corps. On the day the 20/20 story about safety in the Peace Corps aired, we received a text from our country director reminding us that we could come to her with any questions or concerns. Since that time, I've discussed the episodes with many PCVs and written a few emails home about it. Overall, I thought the story was sensationalized and misleading, especially in regards to how PCVs (and RPCVs) feel about their safety. I have since heard stories of people deciding to not apply to Peace Corps because they are worried about their safety. This really upsets me, since I believe the work we do is so important.

First of all, let me say I feel as safe in Morocco (if not safer) than I do in St. Louis. Here, I don't hesitate to walk alone at night (something I would hesitate to do in my neighborhood back home). Most everyone in this tiny Berber village knows my name and I have had ZERO instances where I felt unsafe. In my cell phone here I have the number of the local police chief, the direct line to the police office, the 24/7 number for Peace Corps (where someone ALWAYS answers immediately),  the cell phones of my Program Manager, Program assistant, the 24/7 doctor line AND my Country Director. If, at any time I feel afraid, I can call any of these people and ask for help (as well as go to my neighbors or any of my countless friends here in my village.) Thankfully, I have never had to do so.

Most people aren't aware of how hard Peace Corps works to make sure PCVs are safe. When they say it is their number one priority, they really mean it. Here in Morocco, we have two full time staff members devoted to safety and security. All PCVs are required to tell these ladies (and usually their local police) when they leave their villages. We have a very thorough action plan in place in case a major catastrophe occurs. It is reiterated at all training events and practiced once a year. If the safety situation in a country looks iffy, Peace Corps is quick to pull the PCVs out. In the vast majority of evacuation stories I've heard, the PCVs had no idea any sort of a crisis had occurred and were confused and upset that they had to leave. From everything I've read and heard from PCVs that were evacuated, Peace Corps ALWAYS errs on the side of caution if a country looks unstable. And of course, PCVs are offered a free ticket home if they, at any time, decide they no longer want to be in Peace Corps. (This is called early termination if you want to google it at www.peacecorps.gov)

I don't want to discount what Kate Puzey and her family went through, nor the horrible rapes of the other PCVs that were interviewed. These were awful tragedies that should be analyzed so that the risk for all future PCVs is minimized. Peace Corps needs to have a formal policy in place for how to notify a family when a PCV dies. PCVs that go through a trauma like rape should be given counseling free of charge, both in the immediate aftermath of the rape and for as many months as they need when the return to the USA. No PCV or family should feel "abandoned" as Kate Puzey's did. All Peace Corps staff should receive yearly training on what do to in an assault situation so that future PCVs feel supported if/when a sexual assault occurs. 

Unfortunately, the 20/20 story did not do an accurate job depicting safety in the Peace Corps. The story threw out many statistics about rape, assault and murder for PCVs. According to 20/20, 1000 female PCVs have been sexually assaulted in the past decade. Furthermore, 23 PCVs have been murdered in the past 50 years. These are awful statistics, right? Its horrifying to read that 23 PCVs have been murdered and 1000 female PCVs have been sexually assaulted. I've heard of people withdrawing their Peace Corps application after hearing these statistics. Who would want to volunteer to live for two years in an unsafe place?

Unfortunately, these statistics are misleading. First, over 200,000 volunteers have served in the last 50 years, which makes the murder rate about 11 in 100,000. This is lower than the murder rates in many US cities, including New Orleans (52 per 100K), Baltimore (37 in 100K), and even St. Louis (40 in 100K). Second, 20/20 quoted that the 1000 female PCVs were sexually assaulted in the past decade. They fail to mention that approximately 11,000 female PCVs served during that time, making the assault rate about 1 in 11 female volunteers, much lower than the US average of 1 in 6 American women!!   (Many thanks to Scott Brinton, an RPCV at the LI Herald for his well-researched article on this issue. You can reach it at Scott Brinton Article)

While I don't think Peace Corps is perfect, and I know there is always room for improvement, I hope that no future volunteers are scared to join because they fear for their safety. The vast majority of PCVs (myself included) serve their 27 months without any major safety issue. Just like in the USA, bad things happen, but I don't think they happen at a significantly higher rate in Peace Corps. For most PCVs, Peace Corps is a time to learn a new language, new culture and a whole lot about yourself. Its a time to help make the world a better place (even if its only your tiny corner of it.) Most importantly, its a time to teach others about the real America and Americans about your new home. 

If anyone has any questions about joining the Peace Corps, or what else Peace Corps does to make sure PCVs are safe, please visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/   or  Peace Corps Wiki Health Care and Safety. You're also free to contact me, either through this blog or at my email :)