Auditor lauds Montco's Youth Center
WEST NORRITON TWP. Montgomery County's Youth Center, where children awaiting court hearings are held, is well-equipped to respond to, prevent, and detect sexual assault and harassment, an audit has found.
WEST NORRITON TWP. Montgomery County's Youth Center, where children awaiting court hearings are held, is well-equipped to respond to, prevent, and detect sexual assault and harassment, an audit has found.
Conducted over two days in June, an independent auditor said the center met 40 standards, exceeded one, and failed none.
The findings included one that the center had effective video surveillance of children in common areas, hallways, and in housing areas.
Children knew they should report sexual abuse, and how to report it, the auditor found. Staff members knew their legal duties to report it, and did not fear retaliation for doing so. When an instance of harassment occurred during the audit period, the report said, "the agency reaction . . . was swift and decisive."
Youth Center Executive Director Joe Viti said he was proud of his staff.
The audit is performed at juvenile-detention facilities nationwide to determine whether they are conforming with standards that the U.S. Justice Department adopted in 2012.
- Carolyn Davis