🚀 go-pugleaf

Dear PCVs & Friends:

One of my loved ones is currently serving as a Peace Corps Voluteer
and was recently raped by members of the host family selected by the
Peace Corps to ease her transition into the local culture.  An
investigation by the local PC office could not be conducted, in that
the family member in question's house could not be searched due to
'matters of honor.'  The volunteer in question was encouraged by the
local field office to accept a religious punishment instead of a civic
punishment because her word had no weight in local judicial systems
and making the incident a legal matter would have repercussions for
her ability to continue working in the area; the eventual punishment
assigned to the man who raped her was a $27.00 fine payed in United
States currency.  The local Peace Corps field office considers this
matter resolved.

I am enraged, bitter, and frightened by the fact that someone I care
for deeply has been placed in this situation.  I'm wondering if others
have had similar experiences, or known people who have had similar
experiences while serving in the Peace Corps.  Is this a single,
isolated incident highlighting the worst case scenario?  Or is there a
larger pattern of placing PCVs in hazardous positions and refusing to
prosecute people who rape them?

Sincerely,
Brandon

P.S. My email address has been munged to minimize USENET spam.  To
send responses not for general consumption, please email to
b.w.h.e.a.r.@.y..a.h...o.o.co..m, with all the '.' marks removed
except for the one immediately before the 'c'