Ted Poe: “Targeted, bullied, and terrorized, these are the words that Bonnie Scott used to describe her dismissal from the Peace…”

“Targeted, bullied, and terrorized, these are the words that Bonnie Scott used to describe her dismissal from the Peace Corps. One month after reported allegations that another U.S. Peace Corps member had harassed and sexually assaulted two local women, Scott was dismissed--interesting. This is not the first time that we have heard of these actions. In 2015, a report found that one in five Peace Corps volunteers were victims of sexual assault. Half of the victims do not report their attacks. Many state that they were blamed by the Peace Corps for their sexual assaults. Even though Congress has passed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011, the Peace Corps has work to do to protect these amazing ambassadors abroad. Mr. Speaker, Peace Corps volunteers are the best America has. These volunteers must know that America will protect them overseas. If a crime occurs against them, America will stand by them, not abandon them. And if a crime is committed, they need to know the crime is not their fault; it is the fault of the perpetrator. And that is just the way it is. ____________________”