PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA)
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 is a federal law established to address the elimination of sexual assault and rape in correctional systems, including juvenile halls managed by county probation departments. PREA gives juvenile hall facilities standards to prevent, detect, monitor and respond to reported acts of sexual abuse of detained and incarcerated persons. Federal standards require facilities to implement prevention training, confidential reporting options for youth, external crisis support, and thorough investigations into any allegations
The San Mateo County Probation Department maintains a zero tolerance policy toward all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and staff sexual misconduct. and will respond to, investigate the merits of all allegations, provide appropriate medical and mental health treatment, protect alleged victims and other residents from retaliation and future abuse, and support the prosecution of sexual abuse within its facilities.
The Department enforces this policy by ensuring its facilities and programs providing services to residents comply with all applicable PREA standards. This policy prohibits sexual contact and acts of sexually abusive behavior, including sexual harassment among residents and/or between residents and staff, volunteer, contractor, intern or official guest/visitor, regardless of consensual status.
The Department’s response to allegations of sexual abuse shall be guided by the following goals:
- Protection of victims from further abuse, retaliation, or intimidation; Ensuring victims have immediate access to medical, mental and advocacy services;
- Protection of staff against false accusations of abuse through fair, thorough, accurate and impartial investigations;
- Support for victims so that reporting of sexual abuse is not deterred;
- Preservation of the integrity of criminal and personnel investigations; and
- A fair and just resolution of allegations
The Probation Department’s full PREA policy can be viewed here.
Resources for youth and families can be found here.
Youth Services Center (YSC) – Main Office
222 Paul Scannell Drive
Floor 2
San Mateo, CA 94402
Email: probation_citizenfeedback@smcgov.org
Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) Ombudsperson
1215 O Street, MS-08, Sacramento, CA 95814
Help Line:1 (844) 402-1880
Email Address: OYCRombuds@chhs.ca.gov