California senators demand feds address sexual abuse complaints in LA County juvenile facilities
California senators demand feds address sexual abuse complaints in LA County juvenile facilities LA Daily News
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U.S. Senators Demand DOJ Intervention in Los Angeles County’s Juvenile Camps
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler are calling on the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) to take action regarding numerous allegations of sexual abuse and other misconduct in Los Angeles County’s juvenile camps.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Since December 2022, over 600 former detainees have filed lawsuits against the county’s juvenile facilities, claiming they were sexually abused or harassed while in custody. These allegations date back to 1972.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
In a letter dated April 23, addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the senators questioned why the DOJ stopped monitoring the camps after discovering abuses in the late 2000s. They also requested details on the actions the DOJ will take now that the allegations have resurfaced.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division began monitoring the camps in 2008 after determining that the county had violated the constitutional and federal rights of the youth in its custody. The county agreed to address 41 areas of concern under the supervision of a DOJ-appointed monitoring team. However, the process took longer than expected, with the county being declared in compliance in February 2015.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Padilla and Butler expressed concerns about how the camps were deemed compliant by the DOJ in 2015, given the reports of childhood sexual abuse spanning decades. They requested that the DOJ provide evidence supporting its determination of compliance, actions taken to hold the county accountable, and future responses to the new allegations within 30 days.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The senators highlighted the need for improved monitoring and accountability protocols for these institutions, as the reports of abuse raise significant questions about existing procedures.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Most of the allegations came to light due to the Child Victims Act, which allows victims of childhood sexual assault to sue until the age of 40. The law has resulted in a significant number of claims against Los Angeles County.
Cost to settle ‘profound’
Last year, Los Angeles County estimated that it could face settlement costs ranging from $1.6 billion to $3 billion for over 3,000 claims of childhood sexual assault. These costs will have a long-term impact on the county’s budget.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The lawsuits from former juvenile detainees describe a pattern of abuse across multiple facilities. The officers physically harmed or threatened the children to keep them silent, and those who tried to report incidents were often ignored or punished.
SDG Addressed:
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Some victims spent only a few days in the facilities for minor crimes, highlighting the disproportionate response to their offenses.
Attorney Doug Rochen, representing hundreds of clients, stated that the true extent of the abuse may still be unknown.
Just last month, a female probation officer was arrested for allegedly having sex with an inmate at the Dorothy Kirby Center, a coed facility for adjudicated youth with mental health issues.
Other investigations
In addition to the potential involvement of the U.S. Department of Justice, the state attorney general’s office is already monitoring the Probation Department through a court judgment that requires the county to provide appropriate services to youth detainees.
The Board of State and Community Corrections, which oversees California’s prisons and juvenile halls, recently considered shutting down two of the county’s largest juvenile halls due to poor conditions. However, last-minute changes allowed the county to meet the minimum standards necessary to remain open.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses sexual abuse allegations and other wrongdoing in Los Angeles County’s juvenile camps. These issues are connected to SDG 3, as they relate to the health and well-being of the detainees who experienced abuse. SDG 5 is also relevant, as the abuse allegations highlight gender inequality and the vulnerability of young girls in the juvenile facilities. SDG 10 is connected because the abuse allegations indicate a need to address inequalities and protect the rights of marginalized groups. Lastly, SDG 16 is relevant as it emphasizes the need for peace, justice, and strong institutions, which are lacking in this case.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to ensuring access to healthcare services (Target 3.7), eliminating violence against women and girls (Target 5.2), promoting social inclusion (Target 10.2), and promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice (Target 16.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
- Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress: Indicator 3.7.1 can measure progress towards ensuring access to family planning services, Indicator 5.2.1 can measure progress in eliminating violence against women and girls, Indicator 10.2.1 can measure progress in promoting social inclusion, and Indicator 16.3.3 can measure progress in ensuring equal access to justice.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms. |
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Source: dailynews.com
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