Today’s Action: Investigate sexual assault against detained migrant children

This week, during congressional hearings on President Trump’s family separation policy, Democrats in the House revealed data from the Department of Health and Human Services cataloging sexual assault against migrant children detained without their parents.

Just one child victim of sexual assault while in U.S. custody would be criminal — but try 4,500 allegations between 2015-2018. And during Trump’s Zero Tolerance policy which led to family separation last year, the rates of assault skyrocketed.

Call or email your Members of Congress and demand an investigation into the epidemic of sexual assault against detained migrant children in U.S. custody.

Of the accusations, 178 were against staff members, mostly youth-care workers responsible for the constant monitoring of unaccompanied detained children.

The level of trauma associated with systemic sexual assault against immigrant children – especially those separated from parents – cannot be underestimated. These circumstances must be examined immediately to prevent future damage done by the hands of our federal government.

Email or call (202.224.3121) your Members of Congress and ask them to immediately launch an investigation into sexual harassment and assault against unaccompanied immigrant children while in U.S. custody.

And while we’re on the phone, let’s tell them to shut down child prisons entirely, shall we?