Prison Rape Elimination Act | Juvenile Justice Services | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Families & Children Women Teens Adults Seniors People with Disabilities

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

There is NO excuse for sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

REPORT ANY AND ALL SEXUAL ABUSE OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
DCYF Central Intake
1-800-895-4433
603-271-6556

The Sununu Youth Services Center is one of the first state Juvenile Facilities found to be compliant with PREA standards for Juvenile Facilities

During the week of August 4, 2014, the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance conducted a PREA Audit at the Sununu Youth Services Center. As a result, the Center is one of the first Juvenile facilities in the country found to be in compliance with the PREA Standards for Juvenile Facilities. The key to our compliance was the facility's "adoption of zero tolerance policy of sexual abuse and sexual harassment, as well as well-established policies and procedures for preventing, detecting and responding to such conduct." It was apparent that the staff at the Sununu Youth Services Center, with the support of the DCYF team, not only met the standards of PREA, but the spirit of it as well, which is to keep youth and staff safe.

PREA Audit Summary Reports

PREA Audit: Auditor’s Summary Report John H. Sununu Youth Services Center (April 24, 2018)
PREA Audit: Auditor's Summary Report John H. Sununu Youth Services Center (August 30, 2014)

Teen boy What is PREA?

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed in 2003. It is a federal law established to address the elimination and prevention of sexual violence and sexual misconduct in correctional and juvenile systems. PREA applies to all federal, state, and local prisons, jails, police lock-ups and community settings such as residential facilities. The purpose of the act is to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.”

The act also created the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, whose responsibility was to conduct studies of policies and practices and develop standards to enhance detection, prevention, reduction and punishment of sexual assault in prison settings.

Juvenile Facility Standards

Sununu Youth Services Center AND PREA

The Division for Children, Youth and Families, John H. Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and residents. SYSC has zero tolerance for any acts of sexual abuse, assault, or harassment. The Division's PREA policies Item 2055 Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment and Item 2475 Abuse or Neglect of Detained Youth – Staff Misconduct Defined, Reporting Requirements, and Sanctions demonstrate the Division's commitment to meet the PREA Standards.

While PREA speaks directly to residential and detention services, all employees, contractors, volunteers, juveniles and their families are expected to have a clear understanding that the Division has zero tolerance of any type of sexual relationship with youth under the Division's supervision. SYSC offers educational materials to youth and families through A Guide to Preventing and Reporting Sexual Abuse, and Sexual Harassment . This brochure is provided to the youth and their families at admission and a PREA Vulnerability Assessment is completed for every youth within seventy-two hours of admission.

SYSC has created A Guide to the Prevention and Reporting of Sexual Abuse For Interns, Contractors, Vendors, and Volunteers. PREA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW in order to provide information regarding PREA to those individuals coming into the facility.

SYSC demonstrates a commitment to the PREA standards on many levels. The Division employs a designated PREA Coordinator responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of the agency's efforts to maintain compliance with the PREA standards.

Training

All employees receive training regarding the federal law, state law, and departmental policies governing sexual misconduct with youth. The employees are trained regarding their duty to report rumors or allegations, to whom they should report, and when they should report. Employees are also trained in detecting situations that could result in a reportable incident. All Staff complete an e-workbook . Employees receive PREA: What Staff Need to Know: A Guide to Preventing and Reporting Sexual Abuse, and Sexual Harassment .

Annual Reports