Uzbek student reports sexual harassment during FLEX exchange program in the United States

The student, identified as Mehribon, was among around 60 Uzbek participants selected in 2025 for the FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program – a fully funded initiative of the United States government that allows high school students to study in American schools for one academic year while living with host families.

Mehribon was placed with a childless family of music teachers in a small town in the state of Indiana. According to her family, the parents had previously communicated with the host family through video calls before the trip. The hosts reportedly said they had previously welcomed exchange students from other countries, which helped build trust.

However, some time after arriving in the United States, the student informed her father that the male member of the host family had begun behaving inappropriately and had suggested that she gain “sexual experience.”

The student reported the incident to the FLEX program coordinator, who subsequently placed her in isolation as part of a protection measure and arranged for her relocation to another host family.

According to the girl’s father, Azizbek Boltaev, the decision to move her to a new family was made without prior consultation with the parents.

“My daughter was immediately transferred to another family, but this was done without our consent. The FLEX office in Tashkent informed me about it only the next day, taking into account the nine-hour time difference. However, they did not tell me where exactly she was staying or with whom,” Boltaev said.

The case was first reported by the media platform Nemolchi.uz, which focuses on gender-based violence issues.

Communication difficulties raise concerns

Boltaev said he initially struggled to contact his daughter after the relocation. Her phone was switched off and messages sent through messaging applications went unanswered.

Later, it emerged that the program coordinator had asked the girl to turn off her phone as a “security precaution.” According to the father, neither the local coordinator in the United States nor the temporary host family contacted him directly.

The girl was also reportedly told that program officials were not obliged to share information with her parents.

Concerned about his daughter’s safety, Boltaev asked a friend who teaches at the University of Michigan to visit her. Program representatives initially refused permission for the visit, citing lack of authorization. Only after the father’s persistent demands was the meeting allowed.

According to Boltaev, his friend confirmed that the girl appeared physically healthy but was under significant psychological stress.

Family demands explanations from program authorities

The father later sent a formal letter to the leadership of the FLEX program in Washington, requesting clarification about the decision to move his daughter to another family without consulting the parents.

In response, program officials said they had acted within their authority and that the program would continue operating as usual.

Following this response, Boltaev demanded that his daughter be immediately returned to Uzbekistan. He said that after her return, the U.S. Department of State granted her the status of a FLEX program “graduate,” despite the fact that she had participated in the 10-month program for only about one and a half months.

“That was a cheap consolation meant to silence us,” Boltaev said.

Appeals to Uzbek authorities

The family has also submitted complaints to the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman and to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of Uzbekistan.

The Ombudsman’s office said the appeal had been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As of publication, the Children’s Ombudsman had not yet responded to Kun.uz’s inquiry about the case.

Representatives of the education ministry reportedly contacted the Ministry of Justice and invited the director of the FLEX program’s Tashkent office to a meeting to provide explanations. However, the official left the meeting without answering questions and said responses would be provided in writing.

Boltaev also claimed that the incident involving his daughter was not the only such case within the program.

U.S. Embassy says protocols were followed

In response to a request from Kun.uz, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan said it was aware of the situation but could not publicly disclose specific details due to confidentiality considerations and U.S. legal requirements.

The embassy added that it remains in contact with the student’s father and is taking the matter seriously.

“FLEX program protocols exist for responding to situations like this and for protecting minors. A review confirmed that these protocols were followed in this case. The safety and well-being of students participating in exchange programs remain a top priority,” the embassy said in its statement.