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Prevention of Sexual Victimization & Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

How to Report Institutional Sexual Abuse and/or Staff Sexual Misconduct

If you have information regarding a youth who has been sexually abused or sexually harassed while under IDJJ custody or community supervision, please call: 217-557-1030 and dial 1 for Administration.

Messages are checked Monday through Friday during business hours by staff.

You do not have to give your name, but it is critical that you provide as many details as possible.

This includes:

The name(s) and locations of persons involved;
The name(s) or description of any witnesses to the incident;
IDJJ youth number
A brief description of the incident(s)
A brief description of where the event(s) occurred;
The date(s), time, and place of occurrence(s);
Names and contact information of others who might have additional information about the incident;
Your contact phone number and address (optional)

IDJJ investigates all allegations of youth–on–youth sexual abuse and staff sexual misconduct. Please understand without detailed information it is difficult to investigate a sexual abuse or sexual harassment situation.

Reporting Information for IDJJ Youth

The youth of IDJJ are urged to report allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The youth have the ability to report by submitting a request slip, a grievance, telling a trusted staff member, or asking a family member or friend to call the report line.

Highlighted Abuse Prevention Measures at IDJJ

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Compliance- IDJJ’s five youth centers have been audited by external, certified PREA auditors 19 times since 2016 and were found compliant with Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards each time. Annual PREA audits are posted on IDJJ’s website (see below), along with information on how to report institutional sexual abuse and/or staff sexual misconduct.

The Office of the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman was established by statute (730 ILCS 5/3-2.7-1, et seq.) in 2015 and serves as an independent advocate for youth in IDJJ custody. Youth in IDJJ youth centers can contact the Ombudsperson at any time using housing unit phones, and the Ombudsperson regularly visits all IDJJ youth centers to hear youth concerns. The Ombudsperson’s role is to ensure that the rights of youth committed to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice are fully observed, and to assist in pursuing services for committed youth and their families.

Staff ratios and training- IDJJ has made significant improvements to staffing ratios to maintain a lower youth to staff ratio. New employees receive PREA training and training on how to detect and respond to signs of sexual abuse. Staff receives refresher training at least once every two years.

Integrity of Investigations- When IDJJ becomes aware of sexual misconduct by staff, IDJJ conducts internal investigations and will often engage external investigators from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois State Police. IDJJ has made a concerted effort over the last decade to upgrade existing cameras and add additional cameras in facilities.

Youth Access- All youth receive orientation on their right to be free from sexual abuse and harassment during the intake process for IDJJ facilities. A risk of victimization assessment is administered to all youth during the intake process to assist in making housing decisions. Youth grievance and complaint boxes are located on all housing units and common areas. They are locked, secured and can only be accessed by designated personnel.

Transformation of IDJJ- In 2020, IDJJ announced the 21^st century Transformation Plan in partnership with the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative (JEO). The plan focuses on reducing the harm of incarceration by transitioning youth to small, regional residential centers and investing significantly in community wraparound support and intervention services for justice-involved youth. IDJJ continues to move away from adult-style prison-like facilities and toward rehabilitative spaces. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of youth in secure custody in Illinois was consistently well over 1000 and even exceeded 2000 in 1999. The number of youth in IDJJ secure custody has decreased by over 90% since then. The average population of youth in secure custody of IDJJ in 2023 was 154. (See IDJJ 2023 Annual Report.)

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Annual PREA Reports

In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, below are the Department’s annual reports containing data of allegations that were received, investigated and processed.

2023 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2022 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2021 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2020 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2019 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2018 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2017 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2016 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2015 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report

2014 Annual Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice PREA Report