More Facts & Figures from the Peace Corps on Sexual Assaults
This is in response to David Gurr's posting about the availability of the EEOC to address the problem of sexual…
|
Year |
Rape/Attempted Rape |
Major Sexual Assault |
Other Sexual Assault |
Volunteers on Board |
|
|
Female |
Total |
||||
|
2000 |
28 |
11 |
51 |
4415 |
7164 |
|
2001 |
22 |
23 |
68 |
4025 |
6643 |
|
2002 |
16 |
18 |
61 |
4060 |
6636 |
|
2003 |
26 |
11 |
57 |
4411 |
7533 |
|
2004 |
25 |
10 |
70 |
4462 |
7733 |
|
2005 |
23 |
15 |
79 |
4535 |
7810 |
|
2006 |
22 |
10 |
69 |
4537 |
7749 |
|
2007 |
21 |
11 |
87 |
4794 |
8079 |
|
2008 |
23 |
18 |
88 |
4713 |
7876 |
|
2009 |
15 |
20 |
80 |
4624 |
7671 |
|
Total |
221 |
147 |
710 |
||
|
Average |
22.1 |
14.7 |
71 |
||
The definition of each category is in the 2009 Security Report and follow here:
Definitions
Rape: Penetration of the vagina or anus with a penis, tongue, finger or object without the consent and/or against the will of the Volunteer. This includes when a victim is unable to consent because of ingestion of drugs and/or alcohol.
Rape also includes forced oral sex, where:
1. the victim’s mouth contacts the offender’s genitals or anus, OR
2. the offender’s mouth contacts the victim’s genitals or anus, OR
3. the victim is forced to perform oral sex on another person.
Any unsuccessful attempts to penetrate the vagina or anus are also classified as Rape.
Major sexual assault: Intentional or forced contact with the victim’s breasts, genitals, mouth, buttocks, or anus OR disrobing of the Volunteer or offender without contact of the Volunteer’s aforementioned body parts, for sexual gratification
AND any of the following:
1. the use of a weapon by the offender, OR
2. physical injury to the victim, OR
3. when the victim has to use substantial force to disengage the offender.
Other sexual assault: Unwanted or forced kissing, fondling, and/or groping of the breasts, genitals, mouth, buttocks, or anus for sexual gratification.
I would like to know how many female volunteers avoided “unwanted” whatever included in “other sexual assault” category. I believe many of us took it as an occupational hazard and adjusted our behavior to avoid as much of it as possible. It’s quite a surprise to be waked up on a long bus ride with some stranger fondling your foot. You raise a ruckus and maybe the conductor will toss the guy off the bus at the next stop. Or maybe the guy selling you the carpet in the fancy hotel wants a “little kiss with some tongue, please” for an extra discount. Or, or, or. Amrikan girls are, after all, loose. Western movies make that clear.
And I wonder about the use of the term “for sexual gratification.” It was my impression that these kinds of assaults are more about control and aggression/violence than they are about “gratification.”
Can anyone comment on that?
Jane
I am too old to remember.
This is in response to David Gurr’s posting about the availability of the EEOC to address the problem of sexual harrassment encountered by Peace Corps Volunteers.
David, Peace Corps Volunteers are NOT federal employees. Not only are they NOT unionized, but they do not have rights to EEOC.