More safety information

As posted in the Mali Welcome Book
Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk


There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer’s risk, many of which are within the Volunteer’s control.  Based on information gathered from incident reports worldwide in 2006, the following factors stand out as risk characteristics for assaults. Assaults consist of personal crimes committed against Volunteers, and do not include property crimes (such as vandalism or theft).
• Location: Most crimes occurred when Volunteers were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach, public
buildings).
• Time of day: Assaults usually took place on the weekend during the evening between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.— with most assaults occurring around 11:00 p.m.
• Absence of others: Assaults usually occurred when the Volunteer was unaccompanied. In 73 percent of the
sexual assaults the Volunteer was unaccompanied and in 48 percent of physical assaults the Volunteer was
unaccompanied.
• Relationship to assailant: In most assaults, the Volunteer did not know the assailant.
• Consumption of alcohol: Fourteen (14) percent of all assaults involved alcohol consumption by Volunteers.
Twenty-six (26) percent of all assaults involved alcohol consumption by assailants.

Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these areas of concern so that you can reduce the risks you face.  For example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:

Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of theft:
• Know the environment and choose safe routes/times for
travel
• Avoid high-crime areas per Peace Corps guidance
• Know the vocabulary to get help in an emergency
• Carry valuables in different pockets/places
• Carry a "dummy" wallet as a decoy

Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of burglary:
• Live with a local family or on a family compound
• Put strong locks on doors and keep valuables in a lock box or trunk
• Leave irreplaceable objects at home in the U.S.
• Follow Peace Corps guidelines on maintaining home security

Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of assault:
• Make local friends
• Make sure your appearance is respectful of local customs; don’t draw negative attention
to yourself by wearing inappropriate clothing
• Get to know local officials, police, and neighbors
• Travel with someone whenever possible
• Avoid known high crime areas
• Limit alcohol consumption

The Mali Country Director sent an email to volunteers about the 20/20 piece.

January 19, 2011

Some of you may have already heard that this past Friday evening (Jan. 14) the ABC news show "20/20" aired a report about the safety and security of Peace Corps Volunteer service. In response, Peace Corps has shared two statements: the first (at the bottom) dated Jan. 11 and the second (from Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams) dated Jan. 14.


I would like to mention that your safety and security is the single most important priority for Peace Corps agency-wide, as well as for all of us working so hard to support you here in Mali. It is disheartening that the agency has been portrayed in a way that implies we are not committed to safety and security operations. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Peace Corps devotes significant resources to providing Volunteers with the training, support, and information they need to stay healthy and safe during their service. Peace Corps maintains policies that coordinate an integrated approach to safety and security. Additionally, every post (re: Peace Corps country) maintains a specific volunteer safety support system designed to minimize safety risks and promote effective and safe service. Peace Corps, as an agency, is regularly reviewing and improving its global operations to ensure that we are all doing our best to keep the more than 8,600 Americans serving as Peace Corps Volunteers around the world healthy and safe.

While it will never be possible to completely eliminate crimes involving Volunteers, we continue to do our best to minimize the risk factors for crime and to make Peace Corps a safe, productive, and rewarding experience for our Volunteers. If you would like more information about Peace Corps’ commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for Volunteers, please visit the Peace Corps web site at www.peacecorps.gov where there is a specific section on the safety and security of our Volunteers as well as information for the friends and family of Volunteers.


I appreciate your dedication to working in service to the Malian communities where you live. I find you all to be extraordinary in your passion toward what we do, fueled by your energy and commitment for making a positive difference.

Sincerely,
- Mike

I have no doubt that the PC does amply trains its volunteers in safety and security.  After training it is then our responsiblity to take the proper precautions to stay safe.