REMARKS
Council Member Carlina Rivera discusses sexual abuse investigation tracking and land use projects
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Council Member Carlina Rivera addresses the council, discussing Introduction 792-A, which requires the Department of Corrections to implement an electronic case management system for tracking sexual abuse investigations. She also speaks about two land use items in her district, including a life sciences project at 455 First Avenue and the Jacob Day residence.
- Rivera emphasizes the importance of timely investigations into sexual abuse allegations in city jails
- She highlights the benefits of the Innovation East project in Kips Bay, including infrastructure upgrades and STEM opportunities
- Rivera mentions the historical significance of the Jacob Day residence as a center for black civic life
Carlina Rivera
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Good afternoon.
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Today, we're voting on introduction seven nine two, which will require the Department of Corrections to implement an electronic case management system to track investigations of sexual abuse against both staff and incarcerated individuals, as well as two land use items in my district over my tenure year as former member and chair of the criminal justice committee.
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And certainly at our hearing on introduction seven nine two under the leadership of chair nurse, we have heard from survivors of sexual violence in New York City operated jails how clear the need is for greater oversight to ensure that investigations are actually completed within ninety days as mandated by local and federal policy.
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According to a report from Gothamist, more than 45% of the department's investigations into sexual violence drag on well past ninety days.
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The history of sexual abuse allegations at Rikers Island combined with a lack of meaningful oversight has allowed perpetrators to operate with impunity.
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And when sexual abuse allegations are delayed or ignored, it sends a message that such crimes are tolerated perpetuating a cycle of violence.
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Survivors deserve to know that their cases are being taken seriously and handled in a timely manner.
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A modern electronic case management system would provide streamlines, secure way to track reports, ensure accountability, and prevent cases from languishing without resolution.
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I encourage my colleagues to vote aye.
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Additionally, we are voting on 455 First Avenue in the Kips Bay area that's becoming a hub for the life sciences, sector.
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Innovation East is a transformative project.
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It will deliver meaningful benefits, to our community that includes improvements, infrastructure upgrades, street safety improvements, and better access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics opportunities.
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I wanna thank EVC, the development team, my staff, and community board six for creating this, these state of the art facilities that are gonna provide educational and workforce development support for local residents and students.
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I'm also excited for the Jacob Day residence.
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It has a significant historical impact as a center for black civic life, and I wanna thank my colleagues for their support.