PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - New allegations are surfacing against the humanitarian group "Help International."
A BYU student named Hilary says she fought off a man in Fiji after he ripped off her dress and underwear.
Now her friend, Anna-Jane Jenkins, who attended safety training with Hilary says they were not taught about the danger she was allegedly exposed to.
"If they're going to send young college girls out to a different country to do service then I think they need to do a better job of protecting girls," Jenkins said.
ABC 4 asked "Help International" if it trains volunteers about the dangers of sexual assault.
"We certainly, in the trainings in the past, have broadly referenced the possibility of sexual assault in countries," said Executive Director for Help International, Matthew Colling.
Hilary says that training is not enough. Jenkins says they were lulled into a sense of complacency. "At this training we were never taught about safety. I just remember that they kept on telling us that in Fiji people are very laid back and they are friendly so I was pretty comfortable and confident we'd be fine," said Jenkins. "They just said if you have blond hair especially you need to be careful," she continued.
This is the mind-set Hilary had the day she walked alone along the streets of Fiji; the day she was reportedly attacked.
ABC 4's Noah Bond called "Help International" to share this concern. Executive Director Matthew Colling said he never heard this complaint and also stated Hilary was breaking her contract with "Help International". He says walking around alone is forbidden.
"We would hope that people would tell us that, that they would tell that to their country directors and we would hope that they would have enough responsibility to read what they signed," Colling said.
Tonight "Help International" is investigating this reported sexual assault. Colling says he is committed to making any changes necessary to improve safety.
"Help International" has offered counseling to Hilary, but so far she has refused any help, according to Colling. He also said she has also cut off all communication with the organization.
