Office of Victim Advocacy

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The Peace Corps is committed to providing a compassionate, effective, and coordinated response to all Volunteers who are affected by crime.

The Office of Victim Advocacy is a resource to current and returned Volunteers who have been victims of crime, including sexual assault and stalking, and works to ensure Volunteers have access to the full range of support services provided by the Peace Corps, even after end of service.

He took what happened seriously and made me feel validated in how I was feeling…helped me realize that sexual assault does not define me or my Peace Corps service, and that I am braver than I had thought.

Peace Corps Volunteer

Highly trained victim advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to Peace Corps Volunteers who have been victims of crime during their service, as well as their friends and loved ones who are looking for ways to support them.

Contact a victim advocate at any time: call/text 202.409.2704 or email [email protected].

OVA is committed to ensuring that all Volunteers who report a crime are treated with compassion, dignity, and respect throughout the reporting process. Peace Corps victim advocates stand with Volunteers through the process, respecting confidentiality and privacy and supporting them as they consider options.

Our services

  • Information on available mental health, medical, and legal options
  • Accompaniment overseas to participate in investigative and legal proceedings
  • Assistance with safety planning
  • Connecting resources for support services, both within the Peace Corps and from outside organizations, during and after service
  • Resources and referrals for friends and family of volunteers who were victims of a crime during service
  • Updates throughout the investigative process, legal proceedings, and internal investigations

For more information, see the Peace Corps’ Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.

Contact information

Victim advocates are available 24/7.

If you need to speak to a victim advocate right away:

For general inquiries, call 202.692.1753 or email [email protected].

The PC Saves helpline provides anonymous, confidential crisis intervention, support, and information for Peace Corps Volunteers and trainees who have been affected by sexual assault at PCsaveshelpline.org; or call from outside the U.S.: 001.408.844.HELP (4357); from within the U.S.: 408.844.HELP (4357).