The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (Public Law No.108-79) (PREA) was signed into law in 2003 to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect  individuals from prison rape.” Meeting the objectives of PREA is a priority of the Tidewater Youth Services Commission. TYSC has a zero tolerance toward any incident involving the sexual assault, sexual harassment, or rape of a resident. Any type of criminal allegation will be reported to the Police Department for investigation. 

The purpose of this policy, which is outlined below, is to ensure residents are protected from sexual assault and sexual harassment and to outline the agency’s approach to preventing, detecting, and responding to such conduct.  In addition, each resident of a TYSC group home receives PREA training. Click on the link to view the training document.

PREA – Resident Training Handout

PREA Audit Reports 2016 {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2017 {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2018 {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2019 {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2020 (No Audit Due to COVID – 19 Pandemic) {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2021 (No Audit Due to COVID – 19 Pandemic) {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2022 {Apartment Living Program: No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported. Westhaven Boys Home: No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported}

PREA Audit Report 2023 (No Audit) {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported.}

PREA Audit Report 2024 {No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported for Westhaven Boys Home. No incidents of sexual abuse or harassment were reported for the Apartment Living Program. Two separate incidents were reported for Crisis Intervention Home. One was founded to be sexual harassment. The second incident of sexual harassment was investigated but the allegation was unfounded.}

All allegations of sexual assault, abuse, harassment, or rape will be reported to the local police department for investigation and prosecution.

Zero Tolerance Policy

  1. TYSC prohibits and will not tolerate any fraternization or sexual misconduct between staff, contractors, volunteers and residents, or between residents. The agency actively works to prevent, detect, report and respond to any violation.
  2. Any behavior of a sexual nature between employees and residents is prohibited. Employees shall be subject to a disciplinary action under the Standards of Conduct and shall be subject to prosecution under the Code of Virginia. All staff, contractors and volunteers shall report any suspicion of fraternization or sexual misconduct between staff, contractors, volunteers and residents. Staff are not only required to report, but also may be subjected to disciplinary actions if they do not.
  3. Any behavior of a sexual nature by residents is prohibited and subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the program’s policy manual. Sexual behavior also may result in criminal charges.
  4. Consensual sexual activity among residents shall not be permitted. If residents engage in this type of activity, one or both residents shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the program’s policy manual.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN ASSAULTED OR IF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT HAS OCCURRED AT A TYSC FACILITY:

Residents can participate in an investigation in many ways, including being the alleged victim, suspect, reporter, or witness. Reporting can be done several ways by the resident or his/her family member, or someone else.

1. Report it to any staff member, or

2. Report by calling the 24 Hour Crisis Helpline: 757-251-0144 or the administrative offices at 757-488-9161, or

3. Complete a grievance, or

4. Write a letter of complaint.

Questions?  Please call William Wimbish at 757-488-9161 or [email protected].

(There were no reported incidents of sexual abuse, assault, harassment, or rape from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2022).