In the wake of a sexual assault, the lack of mental health counseling services,
legal assistance, and even physical safety, leaves survivors at high risk for developing
serious, long-term psychological problems. One of JDI’s top priorities is to mobilize
mental health service providers and legal aid organizations across the country to
assist prisoner rape survivors. Some 500 groups that are willing to do so form part
of JDI’s nationwide
Resource Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse Behind Bars.
Every day, JDI communicates with survivors of sexual abuse in detention. Frequently,
they emphasize the healing effect of receiving one of JDI’s Survivor Packets, which
includes self-help materials, a letter of hope from another survivor, and geographically
relevant sections of the Resource Guide. One survivor in New York said:
“I have thought it was my fault that these things were done to me, but since writing
to JDI and reading their literature I have realized it was not my fault and I will
make it through with help from JDI, my family and friends.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused behind bars and would like support or information, including JDIs Survivor Packet, please contact Christine Kregg, Survivor Outreach Associate, at
ckregg@justdetention.org, by phone at 213-384-1400 x104, or via
confidential, legal mail at the following address:
Cynthia Totten, Esq.
CA Attorney Reg. #199266
3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 340
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Just Detention International (JDI) provides selected materials from leading research
addressing sexual violence in detention solely for informational and educational
purposes. The analysis provided and the views and opinions expressed in these materials
are those of the authors and do not necessarily state or reflect those of JDI. Where
links to other agencies and private organizations are provided, JDI is not responsible
for the availability or content of these external sites.