§2507c Office of Victim Advocacy

Summary

Create an Office of Victim Advocacy at Peace Corps headquarters. It must be led by a full-time Victim’s Advocate who reports directly to the Director. The office can send staff overseas when needed. Medical officers, safety and security staff, and program staff cannot serve as Victim’s Advocates. The Advocate must not do other Peace Corps work unless it’s directly related to helping victims. The Advocate and any others in that role are exempt from certain staff limits that would otherwise apply. The office must help update sexual-assault training and policy, make sure volunteer victims get and can access the services they need, and tell crime victims about available services. It must give priority to serious crimes, like sexual assault and stalking, provide regular case updates for volunteers who choose to pursue prosecution, help former volunteers get requested services, and take part in agency-wide policymaking like other office directors.