In the United States one would think that juveniles in custody under the United States criminal justice system regardless of criminal history, economic backgrounds, or race would have their basic humanitarian rights protected. In the juvenile justice systems across America teenagers as young as thirteen years old are becoming victims of rape and are being sodomized at the hands of officers and juvenile custody workers. Furthermore, the girls are prepared by attorneys to testify against the officers, but before the case reaches trial the officer pleads guilty and the officer walks away with probation. The punishment clearly does not fit the crime they have been convicted of. In New York a 15 year old girl was raped in the elevator by a juvenile justice officer while he was escorting her to the courtroom. Instead of going directly to the courtroom 42 year old officer took her down to the basement, pulled her pants down and calmly raped her. Officials suspect that he has been raping the teens for years, but they do not speak up because they feel that the courts and justice system will not believe them. The officer was convicted of raping the teenager named Ashley and he was only given probation for the crime.
Student Researcher: Jessica Hooper
Faculty Instructor: Professor Elliot Cohen
Evaluator: Professor Elliot Cohen P.D. Indian River State College
Sources:
Oct. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/10/03/2010-10-03_raped_by_judge_and_justice_system.html#ixzz12q3cA3yd
Williams, Ophelia. “Before It’s News.” Before It’s News. 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.http://beforeitsnews.com/story/235/612/No_justice_for_victims_raped_in_custody.html
Williams, Ophelia. “No Justice for Victims Raped in Custody.” Community Justice Network for Youth. 19 Oct. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. http://www.cjny.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157:the-injustice-of-victims-raped-in-custody&catid=2:tshaka-barrows&Itemid=10
Williams, Ophelia. “No Justice for Victims Raped in Custody.” San Francisco Bay View. 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. http://sfbayview.com/2010/no-justice-for-victims-raped-in-custody/