DOJ alleges sexual abuse of migrant children housed in nonprofit’s shelters
The U.S. government filed a lawsuit against its largest provider of temporary shelter for underage migrants, alleging widespread sexual abuse of vulnerable children it was entrusted to protect.
The U.S. government filed a lawsuit against its largest provider of temporary shelter for underage migrants, alleging widespread sexual abuse of vulnerable children it was entrusted to protect.
The civil rights suit, filed Wednesday in Austin, Texas, claims Austin-based Southwest Key Programs Inc. engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children, which it said is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit alleges that employees of the nonprofit subjected migrant children, sent to its facilities because they were unaccompanied by relatives or guardians at the southwest border, to “severe sexual abuse and rape.”
It also alleged employees engaged in solicitation of sex, requested nude photos, tried to start inappropriate relationships, made sexual comments and gestures, leered and touched children inappropriately.
The suit seeks undisclosed damages for victims of the alleged abuse and harassment as well as civil penalties and any other relief “the interests of justice may require,” it states.
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