Sexual Abuse of Migrant Youth in US: Axios

The US Department of Health and Human Services received more than 4,500 complaints of alleged sexual abuse against unaccompanied minors between 2014 and 2018. The Justice Department received 1,300 more complaints. There may be some overlap. Border agents separated immigrants and children attempting to enter the country when they suspected the adults were not parents or had a criminal background. The Trump administration imposed a zero-tolerance policy in 2017 that placed thousans of children in temporary and makeshift shelters. This required rapid hiring of staff during a time of record low rates of unemployment for the United States. Separations were abrupt, often with little notice and inadequate record-keeping making reunification of families a challenge. Most complaints were made about other minors or unknown perpetrators, and some staff members were fired. The government has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse, with care providers expected swiftly to report allegations of sexual abuse and harassment, inappropriate sexual behavior, retaliation related to such allegations, and staff neglect. Even so, the separation policy exposed thousands of children to unnecessary risks. The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is investigating. – YaleGlobal