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| Sexual misconduct with juveniles not tolerated |
| By detnews.com |
| Published: 01/21/2010 |
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Lovisa Stannow's assertions that Michigan is "one of the states where children are most likely to be victimized while in the government's care" ("Michigan quickly should improve youth inmate safety," Jan. 8) show she has not been keeping tabs on our great state. Stannow points to a recent U.S. Department of Justice survey to make the assertion that "the vast majority of those who abuse these children are the government officials who are supposed to keep them safe." This inflammatory accusation isn't even substantiated by the survey. Unlike with most other states, the two Michigan facilities surveyed specifically provide treatment for chronic delinquent youth and for some of the state's most high-risk sex offenders. Survey interviewers were required to report to the facility director any incidents that would constitute abuse and/or refer youth to counselors for serious circumstances. Interviewers referred two allegations concerning staff; neither was of a sexual nature. In one, already under investigation at the time, horseplay with students was found to be excessive. Staff was disciplined accordingly. In the second, an investigation found no improper conduct. Let me be clear: DHS does not tolerate inappropriate sexual behavior of any nature in our facilities. When incidents do occur, we act quickly to address them in a safe and therapeutic manner. Further, Michigan has been pursuing long-term comprehensive reform for years by instituting the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 standards, including the detection, prevention, reduction and punishment of detention facility sexual abuse. Since the year-old survey was conducted, one of the facilities successfully completed a federal review; its best practices are being adopted in our other facilities. And a psychologist specializing in the treatment of sexual victimization and offending is now on staff. Read More. |
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