The Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students (CSFES) advocates for the safety of foreign exchange students and was 

instrumental in the strengthening of the U.S. Department of State regulations for the protection of these young people.

CSFES is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization advocating for the safety, protection and well being of exchange students around

the world by raising public awareness and providing education related to the safety of exchange students to prospective, and current, 

exchange students, natural parents and school administrators, with a specific focus on educating exchange organizations and government

agencies to ensure the protection of exchange students around the world.  CSFES educates exchange students and their parents about

resources and assistance available to assist current, future and past exchange students who become victims of child/sexual abuse, neglect

and extortion.

CSFES supports cultural exchange and is committed to the idea that every foreign student deserves a safe and

memorable exchange experience.  We believe without reservation that while these sons and daughters are studying abroad, they

should expect and fully deserve, to be treated as if they are our own.  

As an organization, CSFES strives for a cooperative relationship with exchange programs, based on the explicit understanding that

CSFES will always prioritize exchange student safety above all other concerns. 

Given this understanding, CSFES sees the following issues as specific cause for concern:

     Exchange students:

• should never depart from their home country without a properly screened host family awaiting their arrival.
• should be apprised of a completed High School Permission Form prior to leaving their home country.
• should know whether they will be attending a public or private high school prior to departure. 
• must not be forced to live in the home of their area representative until a permanent family is found.
• should not be placed in the homes of convicted criminals.
• should not be expected to live in homes lacking basic standards of cleanliness.
• must know how to contact the U.S. Department of State and sponsor in case of an emergency.
• need to be fully apprised of their rights as visitors in this country.
• are to be sufficiently educated on all Child Protection Guidelines.
• may not be coerced to write letters and sign agreements that they do not fully understand.
• should never be sent home early without good cause and an accompanying review process.
• must not be made to fear being sent back to their home country merely for voicing their concerns.

If you are an exchange student with concerns, please contact CSFES.  Tell us where you are and let us help you.  

CSFES is interested in your safety and wellbeing.  All international visitors may also contact local law enforcement

agencies directly.  Anyone who suspects suspicious behavior or maltreatment of foreign exchange students, please

report it to the proper authorities.

The Washington Post -- U.S. Targets Sex Abuse of Exchange Students  08-12-05 by Robin Wright and Lori Aratani

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/11/AR2005081102083.html

Education Week -- Proposed U.S. Rule Seeks to Curb Sexual Abuse of Exchange Students  08-12-05 by Mary Ann Zehr

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/08/12/1exchange_web.25.html

India Daily -- Are foreign students regularly sexually abused by the hosting American family?  America promises to check  08-13-05  by Sonia Joshi

http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/4126.asp 

The Boston Globe --  Proposed rules aim to keep exchange students safe in US  08-28-05 by Anand Vaishnav

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/08/28/proposed_rules_aim_to_keep_exchange_students_safe_in_us?mode=PF

World Peace Herald -- U.S seeking to protect exchange students from sex abuse  08-29-05

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050829-044932-8756r

News Central Asia --  Japanese Exchange Student in Vulnerable Circumstances in Florida  09-15-05

http://www.newscentralasia.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=1452