October 02, 2007
Simons Calls for Full Investigation Into Ministry Response To Reports of Sexual Abuse
BC NDP News Release
VICTORIA–Reports today that a young female prisoner says she was denied access to a lawyer has prompted New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons to call for an independent review into the Ministry’s response to sex abuse allegations at the Burnaby Youth Custody Centre.
Simons said it appears the Ministry of Children and Family Development did not follow proper procedures when informed about allegations of improper sexual touching during medical assessments at the Youth Custody Centre.
"When such allegations arise, its standard procedure to have an assessment done by a child protection social worker - sometimes in conjunction with the RCMP," said Simons. "Instead, the Ministry banned the advocacy group which reported the allegations, and now it appears that prison officials may have blocked access to lawyers."
According to the group Justice For Girls, several young women disclosed at a group meeting in June they had experienced improper touching by a male doctor. Justice For Girls reported the allegation to the Ministry, but instead of launching a full assessment, the Ministry banned the organization from the Youth Custody Centre.
Simons has written the Ministry seeking answers regarding their response to the allegations. "Why didn't the proper assessment take place? And who is advocating for the young women? The Campbell government should follow proper procedures whenever there are allegations of sexual assault," said Simons.
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