PREA is a federal law enacted on 04 September 2003. The PREA Standards were developed by the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission. The final rule was published in the federal register on 20 June 2012 and became effective on 20 August 2012. It provides rules to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment within correctional systems. PREA applies to all federal and state prisons, jails, police lock-ups, private facilities, and community correctional settings that house male and female adults and juveniles. The Juvenile Facility Standards (28 C.F.R. Part 115) govern youth-on-youth sexual abuse and sexual harassment and staff-on-youth sexual abuse and sexual harassment incidents. Major provisions of PREA include the development of national standards; an adherence to zero-tolerance towards sexual abuse and sexual harassment within correctional systems; the collection and dissemination of information on the incidents of sexual abuse and sexual harassment within correctional systems; and the awarding of federal grant funds to help states and local governments implement the provisions of the Act. The Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center (WCJDC) has "Zero Tolerance" towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of youth in custody. WCJDC accomplishes this by: Having an Agency/Facility PREA Coordinator Having policies and procedures in place to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Completing youth risk assessments upon admission. Continually educating staff and youth on PREA to promote a culture that discourages sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Increasing awareness of safe reporting mechanisms available to youth, staff and third parties while protecting reporters from retaliation. Aggressively responding to, investigating, and supporting the prosecution of sexual misconduct, in partnership with law enforcement and the courts. Establishing data collection systems to accurately track sexual abuse and sexual harassment allegations and analyze incidents in order to continually improve the safety of youth. Participating in PREA audits to ensure each facility and the agency maintain compliance. REPORTING - To report sexual abuse or sexual harassment at Winnebago County Juvenile Detention (WCJDC) please use any of the following ways: Report it to any facility staff member Call the WCJDC PREA Coordinator directly at 815-516-2986 Report it in writing via our PREA Box in the lobby of WCJDC Report it electronically here: Report a PREA Incident Report it to our external reporting source, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office via phone 815-282-2600 VICTIM ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT SERVICES WCJDC has partnered with Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling to provide survivors of sexual abuse with emotional support services. To access these services, contact (815) 636-9811 or send a letter to: Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, 5301 E. State St. Ste 301, Rockford, Illinois 61108. PREA INVESTIGATION POLICY “An administrative or criminal investigation is completed for all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. All allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment are referred by the Superintendent/designee for investigation to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) who has the legal authority to conduct criminal investigations unless the allegation does not involve potentially criminal behavior. WCJDC shall document all referrals. Allegations shall be referred to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office except when the alleged incident occurred outside of their jurisdiction. In such an instance, the allegation will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency." (PREA Policy 9.2 Excerpt) Investigation Policy REPORTS 2023 PREA Annual Report PREA Audit ADDITIONAL RESOURCES More information about the PREA Standards can be found on the website of the PREA Resource Center at www.PREAResourcecenter.org
