AGENCY TESTIMONY
Concerns with Intro 735a on reporting staff assaults
1:21:36
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92 sec
Deputy Commissioner Torres expresses concerns about Intro 735a, which would require the Department of Correction to report on allegations of physical violence, including sexual abuse and harassment, perpetrated against DOC and CHS staff.
- DOC supports the intention of Intro 735a but has reservations about its implementation
- The bill appears to be modeled on existing reports related to PREA allegations
- Investigations of staff assaults are handled differently and by different agencies
- Concerns about publicly sharing sensitive details without victim consent
- Torres warns that such reporting may discourage victims from reporting incidents
- DOC looks forward to working with the council to address these concerns
Francis Torres
1:21:36
Support and resources are provided for as long as it is needed by the department's correction assistance response for employee care unit, including counseling, spiritual guidance and referrals to professional providers.
1:21:56
Intro 735a would require the department to report on allegations of physical violence, including sexual abuse, as well as sexual harassment perpetrated against DOC and CHS staff.
1:22:13
While we support the intention of intros 735a, it appears to be modeled on a existing mandated reports related to prior allegations and investigations.
1:22:26
Because the process of investigating these matters are quite different and are handled by different agencies the department is not able to report on cases of assault against staff in this manner.
1:22:41
Further, the bill would require DOC to publicly share numerous and specific details about very sensitive events without the consent of the victims.
1:22:55
We are concerned that reporting of this nature will discourage victims of sexual assault from reporting.
1:23:03
We look forward to working with the council to address these concerns.
