OYA's goal is to have zero sexual assaults. Compliance with the
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is part of the OYA’s continuous effort to keep youth safe while they are in custody.
PREA is a federal law that supports prevention of sexual assault and rape within corrections systems. It applies to all federal and state prisons, jails, police lock-ups, private facilities, and community correctional settings. It includes adult and juvenile, and male and female facilities.
PREA mandates national data collection efforts, provides funding for program development and research, and leads a national commission to develop standards and accountability measures.
OYA is implementing PREA by:
- aggressively responding to, investigating, and supporting the prosecution of sexual misconduct in OYA’s facilities, in partnership with law enforcement and the courts;
- continually educating staff and youth to increase awareness of safe reporting mechanisms and available services to victims, thereby creating facility cultures that discourage sexual aggression and misconduct;
- identifying opportunities to separate and carefully monitor both sexually aggressive and vulnerable youth to reduce the incidence of sexual misconduct; this is accomplished through assessment, room assignment, and improvements to facility architecture where feasible; and
- establishing data collection systems to accurately track sexual misconduct, analyze incidents, and annually incorporate "lessons learned" into improved operations and services to meet OYA's goal of no sexual assaults.