REMARKS
Council Member Farah Louis introduces Intro 1061 on sexual harassment reporting in corrections
0:10:07
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Council Member Farah Louis presents Intro 1061, a bill addressing gaps in the Department of Corrections' reporting on sexual harassment and abuse allegations. The bill aims to improve transparency and accountability in the reporting process, ensuring better tracking of incidents and protection for vulnerable populations in custody.
- The bill requires unique identifiers for each incident and victim, a clear data dictionary, and justifications for not referring substantiated allegations to district attorneys.
- A recent audit by the City Council's data team revealed deficiencies in current reports mandated by Local Law 21 of 2019.
- Louis emphasizes the importance of this bill in prioritizing the safety of individuals in custody and holding the Department of Corrections accountable.
Farah Louis
0:10:07
Good morning.
0:10:08
Thank you chair a nurse for your leadership and commitment to addressing critical issues within our city's correctional system.
0:10:14
I am grateful that intro 1061 is being heard today in the committee on criminal justice.
0:10:20
Control 1061 addresses serious gaps in the department of corrections reporting on allegations of sexual harassment and abuse.
0:10:28
This bill requires the department to assign unique identifiers to each incident and victim ensure a clear data dictionary accompanies each report and provides justifications for not referring substantiated allegations to district attorneys.
0:10:45
Our recent audit by the city council's data team uncovered alarming deficiencies in the current reports mandated by local law 21 of 2019.
0:10:54
The reports lack transparency often use undefined terms and fail to give clear information on allegations and investigations.
0:11:04
This makes it impossible to track the true extent of these incidents, undermines public trust, and places our most vulnerable populations, particularly women, and LGBT Q plus individuals in custody at continued risk of unreported violence.
0:11:20
We cannot allow this lack of accountability to persist.
0:11:24
This bill is essential to bringing transparency and justice to those who have been historically overlooked and harm by systemic failures of the Department of Corrections.
0:11:33
I use I urge the committee and my colleagues to support this critical measure to ensure that Department of Corrections is held accountable and that the safety of individuals in custody is prioritized.
0:11:43
Thank you again, chair for your commitment to this issue.
0:11:46
Thanks.
