An appalling survey by the Department of Justice was released regarding children in juvenile facilities that are sexually abused. It indicated that nationwide 12% of children in juvenile prisons are sexually victimized.
Unfortunately, Maryland was named as one of the worst states in the survey with over 30% of children held at the Backbone Mountain Youth Center in Maryland reporting to have been sexually abused. Many of the incidents involved staff members.
This is truly astounding and unacceptable. Maryland can do better and so can our Department of Juvenile Services.
Filed in: Uncategorized.
And, if reality is that in jails and prisons and juvenile centers across this nation, the administrator’s on some level know about this rape; abuse and they simply find it more advantageous to sweep it under the rug.
They would much rather turn their heads and keep the staff onboard that they clearly know is a predator then face the exposure. And, our so called leader agree.
This I know from first hand experience! Facilities trot out their rape policy and procedures while superviosrs know full well that some of the predators are sitting right in the audience. When they are given information about abuse, those same supervisors…Do NOT act.
Sooooo, tell me something NEW!!! I am so ill and tired of people pointing out that we (this jacked up; bible thumping society) have major issues related to sexually and physically abusing our children and yet…..we never see any real change.
We give lip service to caring about children. We name laws after the latest victim…and then go on about our business.
We RARELY hear anything about our foster care system in the newspaper or other media unless it is about the latest error or child gone wrong. We spend more money on the legislatures toys and fun then on meaningful programs to provide for those most at risk. And, during tough times like this, any monies that might be had are harder to come by.
I found it typical and pathetic that during the entire presidential gang initiation, not once, NOT ONCE, did I hear
any candidate talk about our children in foster care, child victims, etc.,
We are now focused on our latest ‘fad’…(although I am acutely aware that it is not a fad but a real human tragedy)…Haiti. Like Katrina and Rita before, the media spotlight will focus on this current and on-going tragedy and it’s children …until…it isn’t important to the media anymore. And, then they’ll go off on something else; perhaps what color bloomers Beyonce is wearing…something mindless, I’m sure.
In the meantime, there are thousands of children right here; in our foster care system who have been wallowing; desperately wanting a loving, safe home. And, yet, you never hear about them.
How is that possible? And, when are we (me included) going to be willing to become agitator’s for justice on behalf of the most vulnerable among us rather than continuing the lip service of humans like the delegate?!
Here are some of the bills I am sponsoring and cosponsoring this year that protect children, youth and families:
House Bill 13 – Prohibition of Salvia Sales to Minors
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0013.htm
House Bill 283 – Sexual Solicitation of a Minor – Human Trafficking
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0283.htm
House Bill 288 – Child Sex Offenders – GPS Monitoring
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0288.htm
House Bill 289 – Child Sex Offenders- No Dimunition Credits or Parole
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0289.htm
House Bill 306 – Murder of a Child
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0306.htm
House Bill 473 – Lifetime Supervision of Sex Offenders
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0473.htm
House Bill 490 – Child Protection from Predators
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0490.htm
Why are you telling us Jeannie???? Why don’t you do something about it…you are in the House of Delegates. While you’re at it why don’t you clean up the rest of this state, it needs lots of fixing!
Stop blogging and start doing. I’ll be watching to see how many bills Jeannie sponsors this year to help the youth of this state.