Management Advisory Report: Agency Policies Related to Volunteer Sexual Assault Allegations

We recommend that the agency clarify ISP 3-13 reporting requirements as they relate to third-party allegations of sexual assaults, to include staff responsibilities to report such cases, as well as supervisors’ responsibility to report to OIG all cases where the alleged perpetrator is another staff member or Volunteer.

We recommend that the agency take steps to increase the availability of U.S. direct hire staff to serve in “designated staff” positions at each post, such as sexual assault response liaisons, for the purpose of receiving “restricted reports” of sexual assault from Volunteers.

We recommend that the agency address Volunteer reluctance to report sexual assault incidents to host country national staff by strengthening sexual assault risk reduction and response training to better prepare staff to respond to Volunteers, particularly to address individual or cultural bias, and ensure sensitivity and responsiveness to sexually active Volunteers or those of diverse backgrounds.