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Line 14: \| chief2_name = David E. White Jr. \| chief2_position = Deputy Director \| chief3_name = ~~Thomas~~Lauren ~~Peng~~Stephens \| chief3_position = Chief of ~~Operations and Administration~~Staff \| chief4_name = ~~Lauren Stephens~~ \| chief4_position = ~~Chief of Staff~~ \| website = {{URL\|peacecorps.gov}} }} Line 36: [[File:Peace Corps headquarters.JPG\|upright\|thumb\|The former Peace Corps headquarters at 1111 20th Street, NW in downtown Washington, D.C.]] Only in 1959~~, however,~~ did the idea receive serious attention in Washington when Congressman [[Henry S. Reuss]] of [[Wisconsin]] proposed a "Point Four Youth Corps". In 1960, he and Senator [[Richard L. Neuberger]] of [[Oregon]] introduced identical measures calling for a nongovernmental study of the idea's "advisability and practicability". Both the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs\|House Foreign Affairs Committee]] and the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations\|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] endorsed the study, the latter writing the Reuss proposal into the pending [[Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan\|Mutual Security legislation]]. In this form it became law in June 1960. In August the Mutual Security Appropriations Act was enacted, making available US$10,000 for the study, and in November ICA contracted with [[Maurice Albertson]], [[Andrew E. Rice]], and Pauline E. Birky of [[Colorado State University]] Research Foundation<ref name="m.rockymountainnews.com">{{cite web\|last=Gerber \|first=Anna \|url=http://source.colostate.edu/tops-in-peace-corps-volunteers-again/ \|title=Tops in Peace Corps Volunteers, again \|publisher=SOURCE, [[Colorado State University]] \|date=February 27, 2015 \|access-date=December 10, 2015}}</ref> for the study.<ref>{{Cite book\|title=New Frontiers for American Youth: Perspective on the Peace Corps \|publisher=Public Affairs Press\|year=1961}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/findingaids/university/upcc.html \|title=Guide too the Peace Corps Collections\|publisher=Colorado State University Special Collections\|access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> ===1960–1969=== Line 43: Critics opposed the program. Kennedy's opponent, [[Richard M. Nixon]], predicted it would become a "cult of [[escapism]]" and "a haven for [[draft dodger]]s."<ref name="founding_docs">"[https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/peace-corps/ Teaching With Documents: Founding Documents of the Peace Corps]." National Archives and Records Administration.</ref><ref name="gibson">Megan Gibson. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20110922122618/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2094254_2094247_2094252,00.html Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Peace Corps]" (September 22, 2011). ''Time''.</ref><ref name="tobin">James Tobin. "[http://peacecorps.umich.edu/Tobin.html JFK at the Union: The Unknown Story of the Peace Corps Speech]." [[National Peace Corps Association]]/University of Michigan.</ref> ~~Others~~While others doubted whether recent graduates had the necessary skills and maturity for such a task., ~~The~~the idea was popular among students~~, however~~, and Kennedy pursued it,. He ~~asking~~asked respected academics such as [[Max Millikan]] and [[Chester Bowles]] to help him outline the organization and its goals. During his inaugural address, Kennedy again promised to create the program: "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country".<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/kennedy.htm \|title=Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy \|access-date=May 11, 2007 \|author=The Avalon Project \|year=1997 \|work=The Avalon Project at Yale Law School \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514235348/http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/kennedy.htm \|archive-date=May 14, 2007 }}</ref> President Kennedy in a speech at the White House on June 22, 1962, "Remarks to Student Volunteers Participating in Operation Crossroads Africa", acknowledged that [[Operation Crossroads Africa\|Operation Crossroads for Africa]] was the basis for the development of the Peace Corps. "This group and this effort really were the progenitors of the Peace Corps and what this organization has been doing for a number of years led to the establishment of what I consider to be the most encouraging indication of the desire for service not only in this country but all around the world that we have seen in recent years".<ref>June 22, 1962 Remarks to Student Volunteers Participating in Operation Crossroads Africa. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=8730</ref> The Peace Corps website answered the question "Who Inspired the Creation of the Peace Corps?", acknowledging that the Peace Corps was based on Operation Crossroads Africa founded by [[James Herman Robinson\|Rev. James H. Robinson]].<ref>(2005) [http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2027011.html "Who Inspired the Creation of the Peace Corps".] Peace Corps Online.</ref> {{listen Line 51: \|image=[[File:Executive Order 10924 from NARA.jpg\|alt=Physical text copy of the Executive Order establishing the Peace Corps\|100px\|thumb\|Executive Order 10924]] }} On March 1, 1961, Kennedy signed [[executive order (United States)\|Executive Order]] 10924 that officially started the Peace Corps. Concerned with the growing tide of revolutionary sentiment in the [[Third World]], Kennedy saw the Peace Corps as a means of countering the [[stereotype]] of the "[[Ugly American (pejorative)\|Ugly American]]" and "[[American imperialism\|Yankee imperialism]]," especially in the emerging nations of post-colonial Africa and Asia.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=92 \|title=Executive Order 10924: Establishment of the Peace Corps. (1961) \|publisher=Ourdocuments.gov \|access-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/87.1/br_135.html \|title=Organization of American Historians \|publisher=Historycooperative.org \|date=June 1, 2000 \|access-date=October 16, 2011 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629162204/http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/87.1/br_135.html \|archive-date=June 29, 2012 }}</ref> Kennedy appointed his brother-in-law, [[Sargent Shriver]], to be the program's first director. Shriver fleshed out the organization and his [[think tank]] outlined the organization's goals and set the initial number of volunteers. The Peace Corps began recruiting in July 1962; [[Bob Hope]] recorded radio and television announcements hailing the program. Until about 1967, applicants had to pass a placement test of "general aptitude" (knowledge of various skills needed for Peace Corps assignments) and language aptitude. Line 57: <ref name="Lombas 2011 31">{{Cite thesis\|last=Lombas\|first=Leith L\|url=https://scholar.colorado.edu/downloads/rv042t20t\|title=INDIVIDUALISM IN ACTION: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS \|date=2021\|publisher=University of Colorado\|page=31}}</ref> After an address from Kennedy, who was introduced by Rev. Russell Fuller of Memorial Christian Church, [[Disciples of Christ]], on August 28, 1961, the first group of volunteers left for [[Ghana]] and [[Tanganyika (1961–1964)\|Tanganyika]] (now part of [[Tanzania]]).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.vpo.go.tz/document_storage/historical_overview.pdf \|title=Background history of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar \|access-date=April 25, 2013 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125124815/http://www.vpo.go.tz/document_storage/historical_overview.pdf \|archive-date=January 25, 2013 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> The program was formally authorized by [[Congress of the United States\|Congress]] on September 22, 1961, and within two years over 7,300 volunteers were serving in 44 countries. This number increased to 15,000 in June 1966, the largest number in the organization's history.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/4074.html \|title=US History – The Peace Corps \|publisher=Peace Corps Online \|access-date=January 19, 2011}}</ref> The organization experienced controversy in its first year of operation. On October 13, 1961, a [[postcard]] from a volunteer named Margery Jane Michelmore in [[Nigeria]] to a friend in the U.S. described her situation in Nigeria as "squalor and absolutely primitive living conditions."<ref name="squalor">{{Cite news\|title=Peace Corps Girl Stirs Anger In Nigeria by Alleging 'Squalor' \|page=10 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|date=October 16, 1961<!-- \|access-date=September 18, 2006 -->}}</ref><ref name="infamous">{{cite web\|url=http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/pages/2000/0001/001pchist.html \|title=The infamous Peace Corps postcard \|access-date=May 11, 2007 \|year=2007 \|work=Peace Corps Writers }}</ref> ~~However, this~~This postcard never made it out of the country.<ref name="infamous" /> The [[University of Ibadan]] College Students Union demanded deportation and accused the volunteers of being "America's international [[Espionage\|spies]]" and the project as "a scheme designed to foster [[neocolonialism]]."<ref name="postcard">{{Cite news\|title=Postcard to Friend Reporting 'Primitive Living' Leads to Protest by Students \|page=10 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|date=October 16, 1961<!-- \|access-date=September 18, 2006 -->}}</ref> Soon the international press picked up the story, leading several people in the U.S. administration to question the program.<ref name="healing">{{Cite news\|title=RIFT ON PEACE CORPS HEALING IN NIGERIA \|page=7 \|work=[[The New York Times]] \|date=November 7, 1961<!-- \|access-date=September 18, 2006 -->}}</ref> Nigerian students protested the program, while the American volunteers sequestered themselves and eventually began a [[hunger strike]].<ref name="infamous" /> After several days, the Nigerian students agreed to open a dialogue with the Americans. ===Policies=== Line 65: \| description = John F. Kennedy's announcement of the establishment of the Peace Corps }} The theme of enabling Americans to volunteer in poor countries appealed to Kennedy because it fit in with his campaign themes of self-sacrifice and [[Volunteering\|volunteerism]], while also providing a way to redefine American relations with the [[Third World]]. Upon taking office, Kennedy issued an executive order establishing the Peace Corps. Shriver, not Kennedy, energetically lobbied Congress for approval. Kennedy proudly took the credit, and ensured that it remained free of CIA influence. He largely left its administration to Shriver. To avoid the appearance of favoritism to the [[Catholic Church]], the Corps did not place its volunteers with any religious agencies.<ref>David Allen, "The Peace Corps in US foreign relations and church–state politics." ''Historical Journal'' 58.1 (2015): 245–273.</ref> In the first twenty-five years, more than 100,000 Americans served in 44 countries as part of the program. Most volunteers taught English in local schools, but many became involved in activities like construction and food delivery. Shriver practiced affirmative action, and women comprised about 40 percent of the first 7000 volunteers. ~~However, given~~Given the paucity of black college graduates, racial minorities never reached five percent. The Corps developed its own training program, based on nine weeks at an American university, with a focus on conversational language, world affairs, and desired job skills.<ref>David S. Busch, "Service Learning: The Peace Corps, American Higher Education, and the Limits of Modernist Ideas of Development and Citizenship." ''History of Education Quarterly'' 58.4 (2018): 475–505.</ref> That was followed by three weeks at a Peace Corps camp in Puerto Rico, and week or two of orientation the home and the host country.{{sfn\|Bernstein\|1991\|pp=259–79}}<ref>Gerald T. Rice, ''The bold experiment: JFK's Peace Corps'' (1985).</ref> ===1970–1999=== Line 82: As part of an [[economic stimulus]] package in 2008, President [[Barack Obama]] proposed to double the size of the Peace Corps.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/NationalServicePlanFactSheet.pdf \|title=Microsoft Word - Fact Sheet National Service 070408 FINAL.doc \|access-date=January 19, 2011 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304053818/http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/NationalServicePlanFactSheet.pdf \|archive-date=March 4, 2010 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> However, {{as of\|2010\|lc=y}}, the amount requested was insufficient to reach this goal by 2011. In fact, the number of applicants to the Peace Corps declined steadily from a high of 15,384 in 2009 to 10,118 in 2013.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Shapiro \|first1=T. Rees \|title=Peace Corps announces major changes to application process \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/peace-corps-announces-major-changes-to-application-process/2014/07/14/f1cff488-0931-11e4-bbf1-cc51275e7f8f_story.html \|access-date=June 2, 2018 \|newspaper=The Washington Post \|date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> Congress raised the 2010 appropriation from the US$373 million requested by the President to US$400 million, and proposed bills would raise this further for 2011 and 2012.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/221/double-the-peace-corps/ \|title=The Obameter: Double the Peace Corps – Obama promise No. 221 \|publisher=PolitiFact \|access-date=January 19, 2011}}</ref> According to former director [[Gaddi Vasquez]], the Peace Corps is trying to recruit more diverse volunteers of different ages and make it look "more like America".<ref>{{cite web \|author=Boston – AP \|url=http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/peace-3345-corps-percent.html \|title=Peace Corps eyes recruitment of minorities, older Americans, peace, corps, percent – Regional News – WRGB CBS 6 Albany \|location=42.652579;-73.756232 \|publisher=Cbs6albany.com \|date=March 4, 2006 \|access-date=January 19, 2011 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717140631/http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/peace-3345-corps-percent.html \|archive-date=July 17, 2011 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> A ''Harvard International Review'' article from 2007 proposed to expand the Peace Corps, revisit its mission, and equip it with new technology.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://hir.harvard.edu/index.php?page=article&id=1336&p=2 \|title=The Technologies of Peace – \| Harvard International Review \|publisher=Hir.harvard.edu \|date=May 2, 2007 \|access-date=January 19, 2011 \|archive-date=April 26, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426213624/http://hir.harvard.edu/index.php?page=article&id=1336&p=2 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1961 only 1% of volunteers were over 50, compared with 5% today. Ethnic minorities currently comprise 34% of volunteers,<ref name="fast facts">{{cite web\|title=Fast Facts\|url=http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/fastfacts/\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704173553/https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/fast-facts/\|archive-date=July 4, 2021\|access-date=July 27, 2021\|website=Peace Corps}}</ref> compared to around 35% of the U.S. population.<ref name=s0201>{{cite web \|url=http://www.factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201PR&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201T&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201TPR&-reg=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201:451;ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201PR:451;ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201T:451;ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201TPR:451&-ds_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-format= \|title=United States – Selected Population Profile in the United States (White alone, not Hispanic or Latino) \|work=2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates \|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau \|access-date=December 13, 2010 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110719084318/http://www.factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201PR&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201T&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201TPR&-reg=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201:451;ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201PR:451;ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201T:451;ACS_2009_1YR_G00_S0201TPR:451&-ds_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-format= \|archive-date=July 19, 2011 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Casey Frazee, who was sexually assaulted while serving in South Africa, created First Response Action, an [[advocacy group]] for a stronger Peace Corps response for volunteers who are survivors or victims of physical and sexual violence.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.firstresponseaction.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=82 \|title=Peace Corps Under Fire \|last=Stiffman \|first=Eden \|date=April 8, 2011 \|publisher=First Response Action \|access-date=May 10, 2011 \|archive-date=September 6, 2013 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906042921/http://firstresponseaction.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=82 \|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.michiganreview.com/archives/2939 \|title=History \|work=Michigan Review \|access-date=May 10, 2011 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518194753/http://www.michiganreview.com/archives/2939 \|archive-date=May 18, 2011 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2010, concerns about the safety of volunteers were illustrated by a report, compiled from official public documents, listing hundreds of violent crimes against volunteers since 1989.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxkRh3HV6t8pcmxkeVhTYmIzX0U/view \|title=Violent Crimes Against Peace Corps Volunteers \|last=Sheppard \|first=Mike \|year=2011 \|access-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> In 2011, a ''[[20/20 (US television series)\|20/20]]'' investigation found that "more than 1,000 young American women have been raped or sexually assaulted in the last decade while serving as Peace Corps volunteers in foreign countries."<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/peace-corps-gang-rape-volunteer-jess-smochek-us/story?id=12599341 \|title=Peace Corps Gang Rape: Volunteer Says U.S. Agency Ignored Warnings \|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)\|ABC News]] \|access-date=May 10, 2011\|date=2011-05-10 }}</ref> In a historic first, all Peace Corps volunteers worldwide were withdrawn from their host countries on March 15, 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name=coronavirus>{{cite web\|website=Peace Corps \|date=March 15, 2020\|title=Peace Corps announces suspension of Volunteer activities, evacuations due to COVID-19\|access-date=Apr 6, 2020 \|url=https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-announces-suspension-volunteer-activities-evacuations-due-covid-19/}}</ref> Volunteers were not eligible for unemployment or health benefits, although some Members of Congress said they should be. Legislators also called upon [[Federal Emergency Management Agency\|FEMA]] to hire Peace Corps volunteers until the end of their service.<ref>[https://thehill.com/policy/finance/490877-lawmakers-call-for-unemployment-benefits-for-evacuated-peace-corps-volunteers Lawmakers call for unemployment benefits for evacuated Peace Corps volunteers] The Hill, 2 Apr 2020</ref> In June 2020, the Peace Corps ended its programs in China.<ref name=":Li2">{{Cite book \|last=Li \|first=Hongshan \|title=Fighting on the Cultural Front: U.S.-China Relations in the Cold War \|date=2024 \|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] \|isbn=9780231207058 \|location=New York, NY \|pages=333 \|doi=10.7312/li--20704 \|jstor=10.7312/li--20704}}</ref> ==Application and volunteer process== [[File:Peace Corps ad, State 1990-06- Iss 334 (IA sim state-magazine 1990-06 334) (page 27 crop).jpg\|thumb\|371x371px\|Recruitment advert placed in a 1990 issue of ''[[State Magazine]]'']] The application for the Peace Corps takes up to one hour, unless one talks to a recruiter. The applicant must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen and, according to a 2018 document, ~~they~~is ~~should~~advised to apply 6six to 9nine months before they want to leave. They must go through an interview.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.peacecorps.gov/apply/ \|title=One must be 18 years old and a U.S. Citizen to apply \|website=Peacecorps \|access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref> Applicants can apply to only one placement every year. Placements can be sorted through the Peace ~~Corps~~Corps’ six project sectors: Agriculture, Environment, Community Economic Development, Health, Education, and Youth in Development. Applicants may also narrow down their application of choice by country they want to serve in various regions of the world. Peace Corps volunteers are expected to serve for 2two years in the foreign country, with 3three months of training before swearing in to service.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Is Peace Corps Right for Me? \|url=https://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/is-peace-corps-right-for-me/ \|access-date=April 12, 2024 \|website=Peace Corps}}</ref> This occurs in -country with host country national trainers in language and assignment skills. Prior to 2014, the application process took about a year.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-announces-historic-changes-to-application-and-selection-process/ \|title=Peace Corps Announces Historic Changes to Application and Selection Process \|website=Peacecorps \|access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref> There is no maximum age limit to joining the Peace Corps. Married couples may join but cannot have any "dependent children". Most positions require a volunteer to have at least a bachelor's degree but this can vary depending on the field one is volunteering in. Volunteers in the Peace Corps do not receive wages but transportation costs are paid for and a stipend is given for "basic expenses". Anyone who has worked for an intelligence agency is ineligible. All volunteers must provide their medical information.<ref>{{Cite news \|date=June 14, 2021 \|title=CHRON. \|url=https://work.chron.com/requirements-us-postal-service-jobs-13466.html \|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> ==Initiatives== Line 271 ⟶ 275: Over the past decade, new directions for the Peace Corps have emerged. [[Christopher Hedrick]] outlined "The New Peace Corps"<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.yalejournal.org/publications/the-new-peace-corps\|title=The New Peace Corps \| date=February 26, 2013}}</ref> in a [[Yale Journal of International Affairs]] essay published in 2013. Hedrick, who was then both the Country Director for Peace Corps [[Senegal]] and the originator and coordinator of the Peace Corps malaria prevention initiative across sub-Saharan Africa, argued that the Peace Corps was "building upon a new generation’s passion and technological know-how to make a difference in the everyday lives of people in developing countries across the globe. The agency is undergoing a profound transformation, and volunteers’ service no longer resembles the traditional notion of the Peace Corps experience." While retaining the unique focus on deep understanding and relations with host communities, the New Peace Corps embraced professionalism among volunteers and staff, leveraged technology to improve communications and enhance the ability of host communities to access needed resources, and deepened partnerships with local, national, and international development partners. While some found this vision threatening to the iconic notion of the lone Peace Corps volunteer, the agency rapidly adopted this approach in significant initiatives such as the food security alliance with [[USAID]]'s [[Feed the Future Initiative]], the collaboration on malaria prevention and treatment with African health ministries and the U.S. [[President's Malaria Initiative]], and the increased focus on ensuring high levels of volunteer fluency in local languages. United States Senator [[Rick Scott]] criticized the Peace Corps operations in China for failing to do enough to promote [[capitalism]] and American values, and for not coordinating activities with the State Department.<ref name=":Li2" /> ===Sexual assault=== The Peace Corps has been criticized for failing to properly respond to the [[sexual violence]] that many of its female volunteers face.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://~~articles~~www.latimes.com/~~2011~~world/la-xpm-2011-may/-11~~/nation/~~-la-na-peace-corps-20110512-story.html \| work=Los Angeles Times \| first=Julie \| last=Mianecki \| title=Peace Corps volunteers tell lawmakers of sexual assault \| date=May 11, 2011}}</ref> BoingBoing editor Xeni Jardin describes criticism of the agency's response to assault: "A growing number of ex-Peace Corps volunteers are speaking out about having survived rape and other forms of sexual assault while assigned overseas. They say the agency ignored their concerns for safety or requests for relocation, and tried to blame rape victims for their attacks. Their stories, and support from families and advocates, are drawing attention from lawmakers and promises of reform from the agency". Among 8,655 volunteers there are on average 22 Peace Corps women who reported being the victims of rape or attempted rape each year.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11corps.html?pagewanted=all \| work=The New York Times \| title=Peace Corps Volunteers Speak Out on Rape \| date=May 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://boingboing.net/2011/05/11/peace-corps-voluntee.html\|title=Peace Corps volunteers speak out against "gross mismanagement of sexual assault complaints"\|work=Boing Boing\|date=May 11, 2011 \|access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> At a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2011, Peace Corps volunteers shared their experiences of violence and sexual assault. At this meeting, it was found that between 2000 and 2009 there have been several cases of rape or attempted rape, and about 22 women are sexually assaulted each year. The case of murdered Peace Corps volunteer Kate Puzey was discussed. The Peace Corps has gained attention in the media and their directors have been attacked for how they handled this situation. Kate Puzey's mother was one of those to make a comment at the meeting about how badly the situation with her daughter had been handled. One woman claimed that her country's director had blamed her for getting raped, while other victims have also been similarly blamed.<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/11/peace-corps-volunteers-rape-violence_n_860718.html\|title = The Huffington Post\|date = 2011-05-11\|last = Graves\|first = Lucia\|newspaper = Huffington Post}}</ref> Criticism of how Peace Corps has responded to sexual assaults against volunteers culminated in the appointment of Kellie Green as the agency's first Director of the Office Of Victims Advocacy in 2011. Green was eventually pushed out of her position in April 2015 for purportedly "creating a hostile work environment". Greene maintains that Peace Corps retaliated against her for pressing agency officials to fully comply with their responsibilities towards volunteers who have been victims of sexual assault. A Change.org petition demanding that Green be reinstated began circulating among former volunteers in December 2015.<ref>{{Cite news\|title = Peace Corps volunteers petition to reinstate sexual assault victims' advocate who was pushed out\|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2016/01/11/peace-corps-volunteers-petition-to-reinstate-sexual-assault-victims-advocate-who-was-pushed-out/\|newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]\|date = January 11, 2016\|access-date = January 13, 2016\|first = Lisa\|last = Rein}}</ref> Line 313 ⟶ 319: * [[World Vision]] {{div col end}} <!-- ==Notes==▼ {{reflist\|group=note}} -->▼ ▲==Notes== ▲{{reflist\|group=note}} ==References== Line 336 ⟶ 341: {{Use mdy dates\|date=October 2018}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Peace Corps}} [[Category:Peace Corps\| ]] [[Category:Appropriate technology organizations]]