Whistleblower Reports Sexual Abuse at ICE Facility in North Florida
On November 14th, 2024, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center published a press release confirming that a former medical provider at the Baker County Detention Center in North Florida has raised questions about sexual abuse at the facility. Here, our Miami sexual assault and battery attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the complaint.
Whistleblower Complaint: Sexual Abuse and Other Violations at ICE Facility
The Baker County Detention Center in Florida functions as a federal immigration detention facility. A whistleblower and a young woman have filed a disclosure and a civil rights complaint related to alleged serious human rights violations at this facility, including sexual abuse. Indeed, the allegations include alleged systemic sexual harassment by staff members. The whistleblower’s testimony supports the young woman’s account of sexual abuse at the facility.
A Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against the ICE Facility
The civil rights complaint—which was submitted to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties by both the ACLU of Florida and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center—focuses on alleged unlawful sexual harassment and abuse of a young woman referred to as Ana. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the woman (Ana) was reportedly placed in solitary confinement for over a month without adequate mental health care. During a mental health crisis, male guards are alleged to have forcibly stripped her and strapped her to a restraint chair with a torn smock that left her exposed.
Allegations of a Broader Pattern of Abuse at the ICE Facility in Florida
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of abuse at the detention center, which has a documented history of sexual harassment and voyeurism. Previous complaints have cited cases of officers photographing female immigrants in their undergarments and observing them during showers and clothing changes. In response to the issues, advocacy organizations are calling for immediate action to address the alleged problems at the Baker County Detention Center.
Sexual Abuse Victims in Federal/State Detention Have the Right to Bring a Civil Rights Claim
Sexual abuse victims in federal or state detention facilities have the right to bring a civil rights claim under laws such as Section 1983 and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). These claims hold officials accountable for failing to prevent or adequately address sexual abuse. Beyond that, the Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, and courts have recognized that deliberate indifference to sexual abuse violates detainees’ constitutional rights. If you have any questions about a Section 1983 lawsuit for sexual abuse, our Florida attorneys can help.
Contact Our Miami, FL Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami sexual assault attorney is a skilled, compassionate advocate for the rights of victims. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual misconduct, we are here to help. Call us now or connect with us online for a free, strictly confidential initial consultation. Our firm represents the rights of victims throughout all of Southeast Florida.
Source:
rfkhumanrights.org/press/new-whistleblower-disclosure-and-civil-rights-complaint-reveal-abuse-sexual-harassment-and-medical-neglect-at-florida-ice-facility/
