Kamlager-Dove, Armstrong, and Johnson Introduce Bipartisan Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) introduced H.R. 9835, the bipartisan, bicameral Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act of 2024 (SASIDA) alongside Representatives Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL) and Hank Johnson (GA-04). This legislation would authorize grants to expand emotional support services for sexual abuse survivors in prisons, jails, and detention facilities. The Senate companion was introduced in May 2023 by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (HI) and John Cornyn (TX).

“All survivors of sexual abuse deserve support services that are within reach—especially incarcerated individuals, who are more at risk for experiencing abuse and dealing with the aftermath alone,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “As we take steps to protect those in prisons and jails from sexual abuse, this legislation will ensure that incarcerated individuals have access to life-saving services like telephone hotlines and crisis intervention. Protecting survivors of abuse is a bipartisan issue, and I will continue working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure every individual has the resources and support they need to heal.”

“The uptick in sexual abuse allegations in federal prisons is appalling,” said Congressman Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL). “Our legislation aims to increase safety measures in prisons, protect incarcerated individuals from sexual abuse, and ensure that resources needed to report sexual abuse are accessible.”

“There is a human rights crisis happening in our prisons, and it’s up to us to put a stop to it,”  said Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), “The Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act is a crucial first step towards a more just and safe existence for those incarcerated in our nation’s federal prisons.”

“There are no words to describe the horrors of sexual abuse. It is imperative for survivors, regardless of their situation, to have the resources they need to feel supported. The Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act provides funding for emotional support services for sexual abuse survivors in detention facilities, provides training for employees of correctional services to help them provide better emotional support services for incarcerated survivors, and creates a national resource center to give guidance and training within penitentiaries to those seeking help. This bipartisan bill will expand the support facilities within the prison and jail systems to those who need it most,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01).

“Sexual abuse can take a real toll on survivors' mental and emotional health, but counseling can help people recover from this trauma,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will make sure these support services for incarcerated survivors are free and confidential.”

“Victims of sexual abuse in our nation’s prisons must be given the same resources as anyone else who experiences this trauma,” said Senator Cornyn. “This bill would ensure incarcerated individuals can receive counseling while also funding education and training for correctional institutions.”

“Incarcerated survivors of sexual abuse are just as deserving of rape crisis services as survivors in the community. Yet these services are rarely available behind bars, denying incarcerated people opportunities to heal. The Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act will ensure that people serving time can get the critical support from trained providers. SASIDA will make our prisons and jails safer, which will pave the way for incarcerated survivors to return to their families and communities. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove, Congressman Armstrong, and Congressman Johnson should be recognized for taking this crucial step to bring dignity to people who are incarcerated,” said Linda McFarlane, JDI Executive Director.

The lawmakers introduced SASIDA following a series of highly publicized instances of sexual abuse in prisons. Most notably, the Federal Bureau of Prisons decided to close the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California (FCI Dublin) this past April, where at least seven former correctional officers have been found guilty of sexual abuse.

This pattern of abuse extends beyond federal prisons. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, an estimated 200,000 individuals suffer sexual abuse behind bars every year, with the vast majority not receiving any form of support or assistance. While the Prison Rape Elimination Act requires detention facilities to create a safe environment and make emotional support services available to prisoners who experience sexual abuse, these services are not always accessible as correctional facilities often lack the funds necessary to provide such services, especially in rural or remote areas. Abuses, like those at FCI Dublin, are not isolated incidents, and this bill will provide much-needed resources and support for these survivors.

The Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act would:

• Fund emotional support services for sexual abuse survivors in detention facilities, including telephone hotline services and crisis intervention services;
• Fund training for correctional agencies, facilities, and staff to help them better provide emotional support services for incarcerated victims; and
• Create a national resource center to provide guidance, training, and best practices on emotional support services for incarcerated victims.

The following Representatives joined the lawmakers as original co-sponsors of SASIDA: Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Troy Carter (LA-02), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Summer Lee (PA-12), Carol Miller (WV-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), and David Trone (MD-06).

Additionally, SASIDA has been has been endorsed by 33 organizations supporting victims of sexual abuse, and their letter of support can be found here. A full list of these organizations can be found below: Just Detention International (JDI), Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Correctional Association of NY, Fight4Justice, Guam Division of Youth Affairs, Humanity for Prisoners, International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), Justice First, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Love More Movement, Medical Justice Alliance, Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents, National Asian Pacific Initiative to End Sexual Violence, National Commission on Correctional Health Care, National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Prison Policy Initiative, Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault, Root and Rebound, Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition, Southern Center for Human Rights, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, ValorUS, Let’s Get Free: Women and Trans Prisoner Defense Committee, Victim Rights Law Center, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, DC Rape Crisis Center, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence, and Human Rights for Kids.

# # #