Committee on Children and Youth Services Kickstarts Year with Vital Hearing

NYC Council Member Althea Stevens Releases Statement on the Sexual Abuse of Youth in Bronx Juvenile Detention Centers

For Immediate Release

Point of Contact: Lisne Bautista | [email protected] | (917) 565-2404

Bronx, NY - On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, survivors of abuse that occurred in youth detention centers, along with elected officials, gathered to announce the filing of more than 150 civil lawsuits. These lawsuits were made possible by a law passed by the New York City Council in 2021. This local law extended the statute of limitations, granting survivors of gender-motivated violence an additional two years to pursue civil actions.

“As Chair of the Children and Youth Services, I am deeply disturbed by the allegations of abuse at several juvenile detention centers across the city. The heinous abuse that occurred at these detention facilities is unacceptable and revolting.

My heart aches for the survivors who suffered under the care of those entrusted with their well-being.

I am committed to using my oversight authority in the Committee on Children and Youth to investigate these allegations. I will work with victims, advocates, and other stakeholders to develop solutions to ensure this offense never happens again! We must prevent these acts of violence and abuse from occurring to New Yorkers under our care.

We must ensure the safety and protection of our most vulnerable. There has never been a more critical time to address the need to de-incarcerate our youth from a failed system that does not promote rehabilitation but instead further harms our young people when they are at their most vulnerable" shared Council Member Althea Stevens.

About the Committee on Children and Youth Services

Chair: Council Member Althea Stevens

The Committee on Children and Youth has jurisdiction over New York City’s youth-related programs, including the Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Youth and Community Development, Inter-agency Coordinating Council on Youth, and Youth Board.

Members of Committee

Council Member(s): Julie Menin, Linda Lee, Nantasha Williams, Chi Ossé , Rita Joseph

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Lisne Bautista at (917) 565-2404 or at [email protected]

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