Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) is a federal law that prevents and seeks to eliminate sexual abuse and sexual harassment in juvenile facilities. The Hulse Detention Center and FACE-IT Residential Program is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for residents and staff and has adopted a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Resident Reporting
Residents have multiple ways to report sexual abuse or sexual harassment while in our custody:

1. Tell any staff member, contractor, or volunteer. 
2. Submit a grievance.
3. Use the PREA phone to make a report to A Safe Place.
4. Tell a parent or an attorney who can report on their behalf.

Third Party Reporting
If you have information regarding a resident who has been sexually abused or sexually harassed while in our custody, please report it. You may report by: 

1. Calling 847-377-7825 and asking to speak to the PREA Coordinator or an on-duty supervisor.
2. Submitting a grievance on behalf of the resident. You may submit a grievance electronically to: JuvenilePREACoordinator@lakecountyil.gov. See the link below to make a report.
3. Contacting the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE.
4. Calling the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 847-377-4250.

Investigations
An administrative investigation will be initiated for all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Once the administrative investigator determines that it is likely a criminal act occurred, the investigation will be forwarded to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for a criminal investigation.

Victim Services
Any resident who is a survivor of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, may request to speak to an in-house therapist or may contact the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center to receive emotional support. The Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center’s Support Line is 847-872-7799.

Further Information
For more information regarding PREA, please contact the PREA Coordinator at 847-377-7800 or email at: JuvenilePREACoordinator@lakecountyil.gov.