Ill. among 4 worst states for sex abuse of juveniles in state custody

July 30, 2013 (WLS) -- Illinois is among the four worst states in the U.S. for the rates of sexual abuse of juveniles being held in state custody.

There was an emergency hearing of the Restorative Justice Committee in Chicago to discuss the issue. A number of protestors gathered outside. A survey of juveniles asked if they had been abused by staff or other detainees. It found the rate in illinois is 15 percent. The other four states with comparable numbers are Ohio, South Carolina and Georgia.

"The study also notes that Illinois and the other three states have these high overall rates of reported abuse primarily because of staff sexual misconduct reports," said Lisa Jacobs, Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission.

The survey found that rates of abuse are higher in larger facilities and for those juveniles who are in custody for longer periods of time.

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