View all text of Chapter 34 [§ 2501 - § 2523]
§ 2507a. Sexual assault risk-reduction and response training
(a) In general
(b) Development and consultation with experts
(c) Subsequent training
(d) Information regarding crimes and risks
(1) In generalEach applicant for enrollment as a volunteer shall be provided, with respect to each country in which the applicant may be invited to serve, with specific, aggregated, and easily accessible information regarding crimes against and risks to volunteers, including—
(A) an overview of past crimes against volunteers in such country, including statistics regarding unreported crime collected through anonymous surveys;
(B) the current early termination rate of volunteers serving in such country;
(C) health risks prevalent in such country;
(D) the nature and frequency of sexual harassment reported by volunteers serving in such country;
(E) the extent and types of services provided by the Peace Corps to volunteers serving in such country, including access to medical care, counseling services, and assistance from the Office of Victim Advocacy; and
(F) the level of satisfaction reported by volunteers serving in such country.
(2) Option to timely decline
(e) Contact informationThe 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) DefinitionsIn this section and sections 2507b through 2507g of this title:
(1) Personally identifying informationThe 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
(B) ExceptionsIn 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’s 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 protectionIn 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
(4) StalkingThe 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.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8A, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 736; amended Pub. L. 115–256, title III, § 302, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3656.)