Warning: This story contains references to and descriptions of sexual violence.
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This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast investigates Peace Corps' mismanaged implementation of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act. This story is the second segment in The Reform Series, a four-part series about Peace Corps reform efforts.
Kate Puzey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin. She was murdered after blowing the whistle on sexual misconduct by a part-time Peace Corps contract employee. Kate Puzey's parents worked with the members of the advocacy group First Response Action to advocate for the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act. The Kate Puzey Act required Peace Corps to implement new procedures for volunteer victims of sexual assault, and whistle-blower protections for volunteers. The Kate Puzey Act also required Peace Corps to hire a victim advocate to help volunteer victims and agency management understand the rights of victims.
Kellie Greene was the first victim advocate hired by Peace Corps. Kellie says that Peace Corps was resistant to the reforms mandated by the Kate Puzey Act, and that agency management forced her out of her position at Peace Corps.
Transcript:
Credits:
Produced and recorded by Alan Toth
Recording and Editorial Assistance by Lauren Schwartzman.
Music: "A Tale" from the album Hang by Laura Inserra. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music
Photos: Kate's Voice, Kellie Greene
Sources:
Interviews with Kellie Greene, Casey Frazee Katz, and Danae Smith
House Foreign Affairs Committee Testimony of Catherine Lois Puzey
Peace Corps Office of Inspector General: Semiannual Report to Congress (2009)
C-Span: Peace Corps Volunteer Safety (2011)
Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011
Danae Smith Interrupted Service Memo
Peace Corps Office of Inspector General: Management and Performance Challenges (2015)
Memorandum: Peace Corps to Kellie Greene, Proposed Removal
Nina Ren: Written Reply to Notice of Proposed Removal for Kellie Greene
Memorandum: Peace Corps to Kellie Greene, Suspension Notice
Items below from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Communications from Peace Corps Chief of Staff Laura Chambers to Kellie Greene