Sexual Assault in the Eastern Caribbean

FINALLY! Something tangible to write about. It has been painfully slow around these parts of the Caribbean lately, keeping my blog at a stand still. BUT...thankfully I'm back today to report on something sensitive, yet relevant to every volunteer who serves with the Peace Corps....Sexual Assault.

I'm sure everyone can remember the one-sided ABC interview on sexual assault in the Peace Corps, where they interviewed a list of volunteers who felt the Peace Corps response to their sexual assaults/rapes weren't up to par. The crimes against the volunteers scared me, angered me and made me feel slightly uneasy. But it didn't take long to see the interview was very much one sided and showed some very negative parts of the Peace Corps. Initially watching the ABC special, I was infuriated with the Peace Corps and their response to such a terrible crime against its own volunteers. Yet, what I have seen in recent months is the honest approach and response the Peace Corps has taken to respond appropriately to the events, promising to update its policies and committing itself to volunteer support.

Yesterday, our Peace Corps Medical Officer flew from St. Lucia to hold an all day workshop on sexual assault and reporting allegations with all the volunteers of Grenada. Here is a shortened version of the updates PC has made to its response involving sexual assault and rape:

1. Eliminating the video played during Pre-Service Training on sexual assault, which placed the blame solely on the volunteer and what he/she did wrong. It was a TERRIBLE video, one that made my skin crawl with anger. We are all glad its gone.
2. Hiring a full time victims advocate, who works in D.C. and is available to any volunteer (past or present) who is a victim. 
3. Making the promise to volunteers to never place the blame on the victim, rather support them throughout the entire process, from the hospital to counseling and court proceedings.
4. Ensuring confidentiality on the part of the victim. Keeping the number of people on staff who need to know the details to a minimum. 
5. Setting up a protocol that all PC staff are trained on in the event of a sexual assault of a volunteer.

Statistics for the Eastern Caribbean related to sexual assault and rape are staggering. The most recent report out is for 2009. The Peace Corps EC currently serves six islands (St.Kitts/Nevis, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Dominica, and Grenada), with our headquarters located in St. Lucia.

• In 2009, 15 rapes and 20 major sexual assaults were reported worldwide, among 7,671 PCVs
• 26% decline in rapes over the past 12 years.
• 34% decline in sexual assaults over the past 12 years.

Most frequently, rapes and sexual assaults against volunteers are committed by an acquaintance (43%), while 5% are coworkers and 1% are other PCVs or PC staff.  Fifty percent of the time alcohol is a factor and 85% of the time the volunteer was alone when the crime occurred.

Incidents By Country

• 40% St. Vincent
• 20% St. Lucia
• 14% Antigua
• 11% Dominica
• 9% Grenada
• 6% St. Kitts/Nevis

With third world countries often comes less than stellar police forces, where corruption and under trained officers patrol the country. Worldwide, just over 50% of perpetrators are caught, with just under 25% prosecuted. Rape trials in the States can be drawn out and painful, but equally so, trials in foreign countries can be nearly impossible to navigate. This can cause victims to drop cases, opting to return to the States and avoid long drawn out cases.

Thankfully, Grenada has one of the lowest rates of sexual assault and rape among volunteers in the EC, second to last, only to St. Kitts/Nevis. Eastern Caribbean wide, there have been 2 sexual assaults and 2 rapes amongst volunteers in the last year, which is scary. Volunteers take steps to maintain their safety at all times, keeping their guards up and ensuring they make wise decisions, but no one is completely safe from the threat of rape.

Peace Corps has a responsibility to its volunteers to keep them safe and I think they do a good job. But, in saying that, there is always room for improvement. The actions of PC headquarters in training its employees and setting up policies to protect volunteers is a step in the right direction, one that I think should be commended. Our staff in the Eastern Caribbean is one of the best around (if you ask me) and is always improving its practices, making me feel that in the event of anything happening to me, I would be supported to the fullest.