Peace Corps chief apologizes to raped volunteers
The head of the Peace Corps is apologizing for a lack of compassion in how the agency responded after a volunteer was murdered and others were raped while serving overseas in recent years.
Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams expressed his regrets at a dramatic congressional hearing that also saw three volunteers who were raped, plus the mother of murdered volunteer Catherine "Kate" Puzey of Cumming, Ga., complain about how poorly the agency responded to the crimes.
Williams said that while his top priority is the safety of its volunteers, the agency wasn't responsive or sensitive enough when they became victims of violent crime. He said the Peace Corps has taken steps like improving training, and is ready to work with Congress on legislation making additional changes.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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