Rep. Bass Leads 12 Colleagues In Introducing PREA Rights Enforcement Act

"We have to do all we can to combat sexual assault and rape in our society - that includes addressing what happens in our prisons," said Congressmember Bass. "People who are in prison deserve full protection under the law and legal recourse to seek justice for horrific acts they are subjected to while in prison. Not only do I hope this bill will enable survivors in prison who have been assaulted to seek justice, but it is also my hope that this bill sends a clear message that rape and abuse will be met with accountability and consequences for the institutions where it occurs."

The PREA Rights Enforcement Act of 2022 was introduced with Congresswoman Elanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), Congressman Danny David (D-IL), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN), Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA).

The bill is supported by national organizations including the Equal Justice Initiative, Human Rights Watch and the Juvenile Law Center.

"Almost two decades ago, Human Rights Watch championed efforts to pass the Prison Rape Enforcement Act. At the time, we emphasized the need for widespread commitment and concrete implementation to ensure that its provisions would be more than mere words on paper," said Olivia Ensign, Senior Advocate at Human Rights Watch. "The PREA Rights Enforcement ACT of 2022 is a positive step toward achieving this goal. While no bill can fully address the dehumanization embedded in the carceral system, this proposal will add teeth to PREA enforcement efforts and will ease the barriers to relief of survivors of sexual abuse and assault."

Young people who are incarcerated face serious risks of rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse, with obvious and devastating lifelong consequences," said Jessica Feierman, Senior Managing Director of the Juvenile Law Center."This legislation is a significant step forward, recognizing that anyone who experiences sexual victimization deserves access to the courts. We are grateful for Representative Bass's leadership in protecting young people from harm.