Katie Mazanec

UWRIT 1104
Assignment 2 Draft
October 30th 2015

Introduction:
For dreamers that do. a Peace Corps poster states. The dream of making a difference
in the world and helping others is what many volunteers experience. The Peace Corps is a
competitive program where Americans can volunteer in poor areas around the world in 2 year
increments. This program is filled with nearly 220,000 volunteers and takes place all over the
world. There are many reasons why people join the Peace Corps but most have a desire to make
a difference in the world and to help others in need. Volunteers are assigned specific projects to
work on with the community such as teaching children how to read or teaching adults about
contraceptives which would be the practices of the community. Before the volunteer is left in
their new community they go through a three month intensive training so that they are
comfortable with the area and the customs of the community. Through the three months the
volunteers will learn about their projects in a more detail and learn how to fit into their new
home. Depending on the area where the volunteer is placed different living conditions will
apply. (Mazanec, 2015) Safety is a huge factor in this training process. The three month training
does not only include safety but also learning how to work with the people of the community and
becoming comfortable with their customs.
Is the Peace Corps still safe? In the past decade, problems regarding the safety of
volunteers has arisen. The death of a volunteer and numerous women speaking out about being

victims of sexual assault. The Peace Corps has responded to this by creating outreach programs
and extensive training for future volunteers. Many argue that it is still not safe, but others believe
the benefits outweigh the risks. What are ways to improve this? Should there be another
segment of volunteers serving for the safety of the others? Could there be a more extensive
program that all volunteers must complete? The possibilities for keeping volunteers safe are
extensive and many have not yet been explored.
By observing the safety issues, precautions, and statistics; I will become more
knowledgeable of the topic regarding the safety of the volunteers. Areas of research for this topic
include rape cases, the death of Kate Puzey and responses, evacuation plans, and statistics
gathered regarding the health of the volunteers. The analysis of safety in a program where a
volunteer is in another country for 2 years is relevant to those considering the Peace Corps, like
myself. The safety of volunteers is not only important to themselves but also, to their family.
Safety in the Peace Corp
(Journal of Travel Medicine, 2008) Peace Corp volunteer death rates from 1984 to 2003 were
compared to United States death rates to show the general safety of being in another country. The
cause of death was listed and used to calculate the percentage of death per every 100,000
volunteers. This number was then compared to the United States death rates. The Peace Corps
volunteers have significantly different risks when compared to the United States death rates but
do not have a higher death rate. Only 66 deaths were studied in this time frame. Over 60% of the
deaths in the Peace Corps were listed as unintentional injuries. Compared to the death rate of
females in the United States the rate was much higher. This can be due to the small sample size
and the high percentage of female volunteers in the Peace Corps.

The Journal of Travel

Medicine also studied the occurrences of tuberculosis and protein derivative in Peace Corp

locations from 1996 to 2005. The results collected from regions all over the world were
surprisingly low. The purpose of these gathering this information was focused on those who plan
to travel and the safety precautions that come along with traveling in a highly endemic country.
However, since the purpose of the Journal of Travel Medicine was to gather information for
those who were interested in traveling to that country for a shorter period of time than Peace
Corps volunteers. Also the population of Peace Corps volunteers is much smaller than the entire
United States population. Therefore, the death rates would be higher in the United States since
there is more people per capita rather than a few volunteers in a foreign country. The information
gathered is still informative for those who wish to travel and also to those who are interested in
volunteering in those areas. These statistics give us information on the health safety of the
volunteers. Conclusions can be drawn to certain regions of the country or world regarding the
safety of volunteers.
The health safety of volunteers is another form of safety that can be gathered through the
statistics gathered in the Journal of Travel Medicine. The Peace Corps responds to outbreaks of
infectious disease. The outbreak of Ebola hit areas where Peace Corps were located. The U.S.
Peace Corps evacuated nearly 350 volunteers from countries in Western Africa with high Ebola
outbreaks. The program is responsible for the safety of the volunteers and it is mandatory that
they retrieve their volunteers to safety when necessary or in extreme cases like the Ebola
outbreak. State Department Officials did not say where the volunteers were located and when
and/or if they came in contact with the virus, in order to keep their identity private. The
importance of an organization making sure the volunteers did not get sick.
(ABC News, 2012) Sexual assaults when volunteering are shockingly higher than
expected. Peace Corp volunteer rape victims openly discuss their rape cases on ABC News. They

all mention how the Peace Corps did not offer any help and rather blamed them for the situation.
Head of the Peace Corps responds by saying she is sorry that this has happened to them and they
are trying to improve the situation regarding their help. A year earlier, Peace Corps volunteer,
Kate Puzey has been murdered. According to ABC News the organization was hiding the
evidence and still have not came out with the information regarding her death. Kate reported
another teacher for raping and sleeping with children in her school. Officials believe this may
have been the trigger for the murderer. As a result the Kate Puzey Act was passed which
contained many changes to the organization including new safety procedures. The website of the
Peace Corps talks about FAQs and safety. In 2013 the Peace Corps launched a Sexual Assault
Risk Reduction and Response.
(Peace Corps, 2011) gives a positive aspect of becoming a volunteer. Focusing more on
safety, interviewed volunteers in the video mention how they go through training in safety to
know what places not to go to and other safety precautions. The volunteers interviewed all have
something positive to say about their experiences in the Peace Corps and the benefits they have
received even after serving. (Mazanec, 2015) includes the definition and interpretation of the
Peace Corps. Observations of videos of volunteers experiences in the Peace Corps are included
and analyzed. An interview with a Peace Corps recruiter is also included giving personal insight
of the Peace Corps and of previously being a volunteer.
Entering the Conversation
The issue of safety in the Peace Corps was brought to court and an act was passed when
President Obama signed on November 21st 2011. The Kate Puzey Act included over 30 policy
changes, extensive sexual assault training for volunteers, and response for sexual assault cases

along with a program that monitors the Peace Corps and its programs. The Sexual Assault Risk
Reduction and Response (SARRR) program monitors and reports cases of volunteers.
To further this program I suggest it can be improved by not only monitoring sexual
assault cases but aggravated assault or violence cases. This will give a wider range of statistics
involving the safety of volunteers. A study which could take place would be a statistical analysis
of the all the cases from year to year. To go further in depth this study could monitor each
individual region of the world or country. This will show which regions where the risk of the
volunteers is greater. This can be used for the Peace Corps determining which countries to serve
in, if the risk is very significant. By gathering this information future volunteers will become
aware of which country they will be serving in. The Peace Corps can also use this gathered
information to either withdrawal from service in a country or confront them of the issues.
Hopefully with these statistics logical conclusions can be made by the Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps is all about making the world a better place but I think everyone should
know the risks of living in a least developed country. The benefits for many, outweigh the risks
but it should be made clear to every potential volunteer that safety is an issue and they must be
aware of the risks.
Mandatory training has been put in place for all volunteers before entering another
country. This includes risk-prevention, bystander, response, and reporting issues to the Peace
Corps. An addition to this training could be self-defense classes which will test the physical
ability of the volunteers. This will boost their confidence when placed in areas where they may
not feel as safe. Along with self-defense each region of the Peace Corps should require a safety
volunteer. A safety volunteer would be like all the other volunteers except they would have
protective gear. This would not include firearms. A safety volunteer would have pepper spray and

other safety equipment which would not permanently hurt the criminal. A safety volunteer would
go through even more extensive training than a normal volunteer and would have to be in peak
physical shape. A safety volunteer would still have the same purpose of the other volunteers.
They could be a health or education volunteer but, also be considered a safety volunteer. By
having a safety volunteer in each region or community the reports of safety issues would most
likely decrease.
Many volunteers have the option of living by themselves. If Kate Puzey was not living by
herself she may have not been murdered. Though the case of Kate Puzey is not completely
relevant to her living by herself, it is still relevant to volunteers potential safety. When selecting
where the volunteer wants to live in the community, officials should include the safety issues of
living alone. It should be encouraged to live in with a family of the community. If a volunteer
chooses to live by themselves more training should be required than those who live with a family
of a community or another volunteer. A study can also be conducted for the safety of volunteers
who live by themselves versus with a family. The results of this study should be included when
volunteers are selecting where they would like to live.
Peace Corps officials are not always in the community with the volunteer and many times
they live in the city which can be a day trip to get to. The volunteers may not have the fastest
communications when in need of help. All communities should have more than one volunteer. If
a volunteer has another with them they can feel safer. A lot of times it can be hard to understand
what the natives of the community are saying. By having another person with them volunteers
can get more projects done along with feeling safe having another American with them. Though
the Peace Corps does not directly state what will happen directly after a sexual assault, the
volunteer should have the option of leaving as soon as possible. The sexual assault should not

have to be proven because if a volunteer does not feel safe enough they should have the
opportunity to go home.

CONCLUSION
Safety of volunteers is an issue that has been addressed by the Peace Corps but not to an
extent where it should be. As a response to recent rape cases and the murder of a volunteer the
Peace Corps have created numerous programs regarding the safety health of all Peace Corps
members. Although the programs created have been successful so far, a lot more can be done to
further the assurance of safety of the volunteers. Volunteers should go through more extensive
training to be able to defend themselves in unsafe situations and be encouraged to live with a
native family so that they are not alone. Safety volunteers should also be a consideration for the
Peace Corps. If any form of violence occurs all volunteers should have the right to leave
immediately. By adding some of these safety procedures the program will have lower amounts of
safety related assaults and issues. This will in turn result in happy returned volunteers and a more
secure safety procedure for the new volunteers.
The safety of Americans is very important, especially in a patriotic country. Volunteers
are just as or more important than those fighting overseas. Volunteers are giving their time to
change the world and help those in need. The need for extra safety measures for volunteers is
crucial to maintain a good reputation for a government agency; the Peace Corps. By improving
the safety of a volunteer through additional safety measures, their confidence builds making
them a very successful Peace Corps volunteer.
Volunteers are giving two years of their life to serve a country in need, volunteers deserve
safety. The Peace Corps Organization needs to extend their measures of safety. This can be done

through gathering statistics on each country where the Peace Corps serves, extending safety
classes to include self-defense, and encouraging volunteers to live with another volunteer or
native family, and considering creating a new volunteer- safety volunteers. Through this we can
answer many questions about their safety. Through extra classes one can gain confidence and
knowledge about assault but would volunteers be able to defend themselves if put into a
situation? The statistics gathered must show some sort of correlation in some areas of the world
compared to others. Which countries are the safest? How can we ensure the safety in a relatively
unsafe country? Safety volunteers need to have experience about protecting and defending their
country; in this case the volunteers. Could safety volunteers potentially be paired with military
veterans? Most of all if all extra safety measures were put into place- Would the volunteer feel
safer?

Citations
Be a Volunteer [Television broadcast]. (2011, September 1). In Peace Corps. From
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxR8XZOeV-s
Jung, P., & Banks, R. (2008). Tuberculosis Risk in US Peace Corps Volunteers, 1996 to
2005.Journal of Travel Medicine J Travel Medicine, 87-94.
Mazanec, K. (2015). Assignment 1. Figured World-The Peace Corps.
Nurthen, N., & Jung, P. (2008). Fatalities in the Peace Corps: A Retrospective Study,
1984 to 2003.Journal of Travel Medicine J Travel Medicine, 95-101.
Peace Corps Evacuates Hundreds Of Volunteers Amid Ebola Outbreak. (2014, July 31).
Retrieved October 15, 2015, from: http://www.npr.org/2014/07/31/336743868/peace-corpsevacuates-hundreds-of-volunteers-amid-ebola-outbreak

Peace Corps Special [Television broadcast]. (2011, January 17). ABC News. From
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9ba7BG0H8g
Wolf, C. (2011, April 11). Peace Corps, The Host Family Experience. Retrieved
September 12, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MAi7wTqDhkM&list=PLD8D860FA54B577C2
Women Raped While in the Peace Corps (20/20 1-14-2011) [Television broadcast]. (2012,
July 25). ABC News. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXIGgLBWG_8