The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of September 4, 2003 (Public Law 108-79) was enacted by Congress to address the problem of sexual abuse in all US penal facilities.

Adherence to PREA standards supports the elimination, reduction and prevention of sexual abuse/sexual assault within our prisons, community corrections centers and local jails.

The St. Francis House mandates ZERO-TOLERANCE for all forms of sexual abuse/misconduct and sexual harassment in its centers in keeping with the intent of PREA to ensure a safe, humane and appropriately secure environment, free from the threat of sexual abuse/misconduct/harassment for all clients.

The St. Francis House ensures that allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment are referred for investigation to the appropriate agency with the legal authority to conduct criminal investigations, unless the allegation does not involve potentially criminal behavior in which case, the allegation is referred for administrative investigation. All allegations are referred for investigation.

The St. Francis House will fully assist and support the appropriate agency conducting criminal investigations as requested.

Guests of the St. Francis House are encouraged to immediately report allegations of sexually abusive behavior to a team member they trust, the Program Director, or CEO.

All allegations, including third-party reports, are confidential and will be thoroughly investigated. Third-party allegations on behalf of a client can be initiated by contacting the PREA Coordinator at 605-334-3879, or by email at program@stfrancishouse.com.

You may also report allegations of guest abuse as below.

To initiate an investigation, please provide information about the incident(s) including: the dates, times, and locations where each incident took place; names of the guests, team members, or others who were involved; and their identifying information. Any detail you can provide will greatly assist our investigation.