§2507c Office of Victim Advocacy

Summary

President must create an Office of Victim Advocacy at Peace Corps headquarters. A full-time Victim’s Advocate will lead it and report directly to the Director. The office can send staff abroad to help victims. Peace Corps Medical Officers, Safety and Security Officers, and program staff cannot serve as Victim’s Advocates. The Victim’s Advocate cannot have other work that is not related to victim help. The Victim’s Advocate and any extra advocates are exempt from the limits in subparagraphs (A) and (B) and paragraph (5) of section 2506(a). The office must help write and update sexual assault training (see section 2507a) and the sexual assault policy (see section 2507b). It must make sure volunteers who are sexual assault victims get the services listed in section 2507b(c) and help them access those services. It must also tell crime victims what help is available and help them get it. Priority goes to serious crimes, including sexual assault and stalking. The office must give regular case updates to volunteers who choose to seek prosecution and help former volunteers who ask to get the services in section 2507b(c). The head of the office must be included in agency-wide policymaking like other directors.