Dublin Women’s Prison Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Sexual Abuse Scandal | KQED

Report: Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Women’s Prisons

Multiple plaintiffs have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse and harassment in women’s prisons, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and change within the system. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the importance of ensuring gender equality and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Allegations of Abuse

1. One plaintiff reported being forced to remove her clothes while officers masturbated in front of her.
2. Another plaintiff was coerced into stripping and dancing for an officer known for trading goods with incarcerated individuals in exchange for sexual acts.
3. Several plaintiffs stated that they experienced relentless harassment, assault, and rape, or witnessed such behavior.

“We are someone’s mom, we are someone’s daughter. We are here to be rehabilitated, but when we are abused, we cannot be,” expressed G.M., one of the plaintiffs. “We are asking for change, and for these officers and this system to be held accountable.”

Personal Testimonies

Maria, who wishes to remain anonymous for privacy and safety reasons, shared her experience of abuse while incarcerated at FCI Dublin. She was sent to solitary confinement for nearly two weeks after exposing a guard who had abused her friend.

“I was abused, and I saw my friends abused by guards,” Maria stated through a translator. “They were supposed to protect us. I witnessed them abusing, grabbing, and groping.”

Robin Lucas, a survivor of sexual abuse during her time at FCI Dublin, addressed reporters about the difficulties of transforming the violent and toxic culture within the facility. She had personally experienced sexual abuse in 1995 while being held in the segregated housing unit for men, which was the prison’s maximum-security confinement. Alongside two other incarcerated individuals, Lucas filed a lawsuit and reached a $500,000 settlement in 1998.

The SDGs call for the eradication of all forms of violence against women and girls, including within correctional institutions. It is crucial to prioritize the safety, well-being, and dignity of all individuals, especially those who are incarcerated, in order to achieve sustainable development and create a just society.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. 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: The article highlights cases of sexual abuse, harassment, assault, and rape against incarcerated women, which are forms of violence that need to be eliminated.

2. 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: The article mentions the need for accountability for the officers and the prison system, indicating a lack of equal access to justice for the victims of abuse.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: kqed.org

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