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Advocate Says Georgia DJJ Needs to Assist Sexual Abuse Victims

July 23rd, 2013

Advocates are reacting to the completion of a month-long internal investigation into a number of open sex abuse allegation cases in Georgia’s juvenile detention centers. The investigation found 700 cases of unresolved cases. 141 of those cases meet the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice’s definition of sex abuse and harassment. The investigation came after a federal survey which showed Georgia had one of the highest percentages of offenders who reported being sexually victimized.

Of the 141 cases that met the definition of sex abuse and harassment, the department substantiated allegations of 3 staff members victimizing youth in secure detention facilities. As a result, all three were fired and at least two were referred to law enforcement for prosecution. A dozen other cases are pending. And several department investigators were demoted or reassigned. The swift action by Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Avery Niles pleases Pat Willis, the executive director of Voices for Georgia’s Children.

“You want your system to be as focused on the interests children as they can be, and I do think commissioner Niles is addressing that.”

But Willis is concerned the department has not said how it will help any youth who were victimized.

“We better make sure the follow-up to the child includes the kind of treatment and engagement that helps them to cope with it, to improve their confidence and capacity to deal with trauma to help them deal with trauma.”

She also says the survey and the investigation point to the need for the governor and state lawmakers to ensure the department has enough resources.

“It is the responsibility of a state agency to make sure that children are always safe when in their custody, and we should invest the resources and the commitment to quality to make sure that happens.”

The investigation also examined sexual abuse allegations in community-based programs. 3 cases in those programs remain under investigation. Willis says that illustrates the need for an accountable system, because more children will likely be diverted into those programs rather than detention centers due to Georgia’s juvenile justice reform.