Protecting Immigrant Detainees from Sexual Assault
Protecting Immigrant Detainees from Sexual Assault
Applying PREA Standards to Immigration Detention
In the wake of PBS Frontline’s recent reporting on the prevalence of sexual assault in immigration detention facilities, the Women’s Refugee Commission will join the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch, Just Detention International and the National Immigrant Justice Center for a Congressional briefing on the importance of applying the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to all facilities in which immigrants are detained.
This event, hosted by Congressmen Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.), will highlight how current standards related to the prevention of sexual assault in detention are insufficient. The Department of Justice’s proposed PREA regulations do not apply to all Department of Homeland Security facilities—leaving immigrant detainees unprotected and vulnerable.
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 3:00 PM.
Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2226
Speakers:
Rep. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security
John Kaneb and Brenda Smith, Former Commissioners, National Prison Rape Elimination Commission
Michelle Brané, Director, Detention and Asylum Program, Women’s Refugee Commission
Joanne Lin, Legislative Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union
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Founded in 1989, the Women's Refugee Commission advocates for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people, including those seeking asylum—bringing about lasting, measurable change.