Gang raped: 1000 Peace Corps Volunteers.

[alienlovechild 75]

Why look for anyone to blame? Like the police or the armed forces the nature of the work means that there are risks to the people who take part.

Obviously the organisations these people work for should try to minimise these risks as far as is reasonably possible, but it's always going to be dangerous work.

Seems to me that the bigger issue here is what level of support is available to women to deal with the trauma of rape.

The Peace Corps isn't supposed to be dangerous work and they don't hand out flak jackets to volunteers. Your answer to getting gang raped on the first day in country is better rape counseling after the fact.

Volunteers should be fully briefed on the risks of their country of assignment and sending women into some places is simply reckless. I think the rape numbers are probably low as how many women would report being raped in countries that don't vigorously prosecute men for these types of crimes?

More than 1,000 young American women have been raped or sexually assaulted in the last decade while serving as Peace Corps volunteers in foreign countries, an ABC News 20/20 investigation has found.

In the most brutal attack, Jess Smochek, 29, of Pennsylvania was gang raped in Bangladesh in 2004 by a group of young men after she says Peace Corps officials in the country ignored her pleas to re-locate her.

Smochek says the group began to stalk her and tried to kiss her and touch her from the very first day she arrived at the city where she was assigned.

She says the gang rape took place just hours after a Peace Corps safety official filed a report with the local police but again ignored her pleas for re-assignment.

Between 2000 and 2009, Peace Corps figures show there were 221 rapes or attempted rapes, 147 major sexual attacks and 719 other sexual assaults defined as unwanted or forced kissing, fondling or groping.

In the case of the gang rape victim, Jess Smochek, she says she was made to feel the attack was her fault because she had been walking alone shortly after 5 p.m.

[Danno 1,228]

Why look for anyone to blame? Like the police or the armed forces the nature of the work means that there are risks to the people who take part.

Obviously the organisations these people work for should try to minimise these risks as far as is reasonably possible, but it's always going to be dangerous work.

Seems to me that the bigger issue here is what level of support is available to women to deal with the trauma of rape.

"Like the Police and armed forces"???

Are you really comparing some pimply faced 18 yr old girl from Iowa to people in the military, trained and with back up? (not to mention weapons)

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"Like the Police and armed forces"???

Are you really comparing some pimply faced 18 yr old girl from Iowa to people in the military, trained and with back up? (not to mention weapons)

Rape doesn't happen in the military?

[Danno 1,228]

Rape doesn't happen in the military?

Steve there is no shortage of coverage on such things when they happen in the military.

The main point is the way it has been hushed up around this program and these victims.

And the questions seem to be

-What changes in personal security have taken place?

-What serious care is given to these victims?

The answer seems to be "NONE" on both points.

[slim 1,530]

I wonder how many women in the Marine Corps have been gangraped by Bangladeshis?

Blackwater?

I haven't heard a single story about someone employed by Blackwater being victimized. Care to share?

The Peace Corps isn't supposed to be dangerous work and they don't hand out flak jackets to volunteers. Your answer to getting gang raped on the first day in country is better rape counseling after the fact.

It wasn't her first day in country and while they may not have flak jackets, they do have simple rules. If she was instructed not to walk alone after 5:00 PM or she might get gang raped then a flak jacket wouldn't have helped her at all.

The Peace Corps might advertise "supposed to be safe" but anytime you're alone, and a woman - especially in a foreign country - you're at a disadvantage to a group of men.

Now, compare and contrast that to a woman in the Marine Corps. Who's safer?

Volunteers should be fully briefed on the risks of their country of assignment and sending women into some places is simply reckless. I think the rape numbers are probably low as how many women would report being raped in countries that don't vigorously prosecute men for these types of crimes?

It sounds like she was briefed. Not only was she briefed but she was fully aware since she'd made several complaints.

A woman scared of being gang raped is walking alone after 5:00 PM in a place where she feels she might get gang raped. Hmmm. Kind of sounds like women who go home with two or three guys they just met after a night of drinking.

Rape doesn't happen in the military?

"Kind of like women who go home with two or three guys they just met after a night of drinking."

Also, typically when rape occurs in the military it's not done by a gang of foreign nationals.

Edited January 19, 2011 by slim

[james&olya 1,121]

I wonder how many women in the Marine Corps have been gangraped by Bangladeshis?

I haven't heard a single story about someone employed by Blackwater being victimized. Care to share?

It wasn't her first day in country and while they may not have flak jackets, they do have simple rules. If she was instructed not to walk alone after 5:00 PM or she might get gang raped then a flak jacket wouldn't have helped her at all.

The Peace Corps might advertise "supposed to be safe" but anytime you're alone, and a woman - especially in a foreign country - you're at a disadvantage to a group of men.

Now, compare and contrast that to a woman in the Marine Corps. Who's safer?

It sounds like she was briefed. Not only was she briefed but she was fully aware since she'd made several complaints.

A woman scared of being gang raped is walking alone after 5:00 PM in a place where she feels she might get gang raped. Hmmm. Kind of sounds like women who go home with two or three guys they just met after a night of drinking.

"Kind of like women who go home with two or three guys they just met after a night of drinking."

Also, typically when rape occurs in the military it's not done by a gang of foreign nationals.

I give you credit for not being afraid of poking big sticks inside hornet's nests!

[slim 1,530]

I give you credit for not being afraid of poking big sticks inside hornet's nests!

Hornets cause temporary uncomfort.

I'll have my big stick forever.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

A woman scared of being gang raped is walking alone after 5:00 PM in a place where she feels she might get gang raped. Hmmm. Kind of sounds like women who go home with two or three guys they just met after a night of drinking.

Wait, wait, wait. Back it up.

Are you saying what it looks like you're saying -- that the women in both of these situations are ASKING for it?

I just want my prejudices confirmed, thanks.

[slim 1,530]

Wait, wait, wait. Back it up.

Are you saying what it looks like you're saying -- that the women in both of these situations are ASKING for it?

I just want my prejudices confirmed, thanks.

Absolutely!

I'm one of those guys that genuinely believes most women are raped because they put themselves in a situation they shouldn't be in.

[james&olya 1,121]

Wait, wait, wait. Back it up.

Are you saying what it looks like you're saying -- that the women in both of these situations are ASKING for it?

I just want my prejudices confirmed, thanks.

[Danno 1,228]

Absolutely!

I'm one of those guys that genuinely believes most women are raped because they put themselves in a situation they shouldn't be in.

I hesitate to say "Most"..... but you could be right.

The old adage: A "lady" knows when to leave the party"... is long forgotten.

Of course it never excuses the rapist....

but we all know if you walk in certain areas at a certain time in the evening you are asking to get mugged..... whats the difference?

Of course Peace Corps assault might be all together different as that is a wildly unique experience..... but I am bettin the naivety runs deep for these young kids out to save the world.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Absolutely!

I'm one of those guys that genuinely believes most women are raped because they put themselves in a situation they shouldn't be in.

I will be a lady and assume your tongue is lodged in your cheek.

[slim 1,530]

I will be a lady and assume your tongue is lodged in your cheek.

Don't be a lady. I'm posting what I truly believe.

[Ban Hammer 13,408]

I will be a lady and assume your tongue is lodged in your cheek.

knowing slim, i'm sure he's got a long list of better places he'd rather lodge his tongue.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I hesitate to say "Most"..... but you could be right.

The old adage: A "lady" knows when to leave the party"... is long forgotten.

Of course it never excuses the rapist....

but we all know if you walk in certain areas at a certain time in the evening you are asking to get mugged..... whats the difference?

No, it's not right. And yeah, I'd say there's a big difference between being mugged and being raped or sexually assaulted. Victims of sexual assault live with the supposed shame of what happened to them -- there is no shame in saying you've been mugged. None. But speaking up as a victim of sexual violence can be very difficult -- victims worry about being judged as a tramp, a #######, asking for it, an idiot for "not just leaving." There is so much shame and self-retribution that can occur for the victim. Do victims of muggings suffer? Yes. But as I said, there is no shame in getting mugged.