Retired-6
03-20-2003, 09:49 PM
In ongoing efforts to properly address and correctly solve the existence of and indifference to prison rapes. Tom Cahill, President of the Board of Directors, Stop Prison Rape, SPR writes an open letter.
__________________________________________________ _______
Hello,
If you or someone you know has been raped in confinement, the assault can be reported without naming the rapists. We know the life expectancy of a "snitch" behind bars is measured in minutes, but reporting the crime is the first step in the healing process as well as essential for any law suit you may wish to pursue against correctional officials for failing to protect your civil rights.
Although failing to provide protection from prisoner rape violates at least two amendments to the Constitution, rape cases can be difficult to prove, especially when semen is unavailable. This is one reason many attorneys refuse to take such cases, but more and more attorneys are taking prisoner rape cases and winning. So reporting the crime is the first hurdle. It is best to report any rape and seek medical attention as soon as possible, but that only means as soon as you feel it is safe for you to do so.
We are a small organization trying to stop a monstrous problem. Therefore we cannot provide an attorney or a therapist but can only assist with information. Our web site address is www.spr.org. Most correctional facilities have psychotherapists on staff. Help from such a source may be the best the victim can hope for.
The National Prison Project of the ACLU is currently seeking plaintiffs for lawsuits on behalf of persons who have been sexually assaulted in prison or jail. If you are interested in suing, write to
Craig Cowie, Attorney
ACLU National Prison Project
733 15th St. N.W., Suite 620
Washington, DC 20005
Send them as many details as possible, including when and where the assault took place, whether you reported the assault, and what action, if any, was taken by prison, jail, or law enforcement authorities. There is no guarantee that they will take your case, but if they do, legal representation will be free of charge. If you are still in prison, send your letter by legal mail.
For other attorneys, you might try such organizations as the Lawyers Guild or the Bar Association in the biggest city closest to you. I'm sorry we can't be of more help to you. We have neither the staff nor the money to send someone to see you or even to accept collect calls. We do hope you stay in touch with us and keep us informed as to the progress being made by the survivor.
I am a prisoner rape survivor myself and from personal experience, I have found that going public to the media has helped me. The survivor is definitely not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of us across the country.
Sincerely,
Tom Cahill (President of the Board of Directors, SPR)
__________________________________________________ _______
Hello,
If you or someone you know has been raped in confinement, the assault can be reported without naming the rapists. We know the life expectancy of a "snitch" behind bars is measured in minutes, but reporting the crime is the first step in the healing process as well as essential for any law suit you may wish to pursue against correctional officials for failing to protect your civil rights.
Although failing to provide protection from prisoner rape violates at least two amendments to the Constitution, rape cases can be difficult to prove, especially when semen is unavailable. This is one reason many attorneys refuse to take such cases, but more and more attorneys are taking prisoner rape cases and winning. So reporting the crime is the first hurdle. It is best to report any rape and seek medical attention as soon as possible, but that only means as soon as you feel it is safe for you to do so.
We are a small organization trying to stop a monstrous problem. Therefore we cannot provide an attorney or a therapist but can only assist with information. Our web site address is www.spr.org. Most correctional facilities have psychotherapists on staff. Help from such a source may be the best the victim can hope for.
The National Prison Project of the ACLU is currently seeking plaintiffs for lawsuits on behalf of persons who have been sexually assaulted in prison or jail. If you are interested in suing, write to
Craig Cowie, Attorney
ACLU National Prison Project
733 15th St. N.W., Suite 620
Washington, DC 20005
Send them as many details as possible, including when and where the assault took place, whether you reported the assault, and what action, if any, was taken by prison, jail, or law enforcement authorities. There is no guarantee that they will take your case, but if they do, legal representation will be free of charge. If you are still in prison, send your letter by legal mail.
For other attorneys, you might try such organizations as the Lawyers Guild or the Bar Association in the biggest city closest to you. I'm sorry we can't be of more help to you. We have neither the staff nor the money to send someone to see you or even to accept collect calls. We do hope you stay in touch with us and keep us informed as to the progress being made by the survivor.
I am a prisoner rape survivor myself and from personal experience, I have found that going public to the media has helped me. The survivor is definitely not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of us across the country.
Sincerely,
Tom Cahill (President of the Board of Directors, SPR)