WASHINGTON—Thousands of accusations of sexual abuse and harassment of migrant children in government-funded shelters were made over the past four years, including scores directed against adult staff members, according to federal data released Tuesday. Some of the allegations included inappropriate conduct by minors in shelters against other minors, as well as by staff members. Of those, the Justice Department received 1,303 more serious sex abuse complaints, including 178 allegations of sexual abuse by adult staff, officials said. Sexual abuse allegations are reported to federal law enforcement, though it’s not clear whether anyone was charged criminally. Background checks are completed on potential employees, and facilities are prohibited from hiring anyone who has engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 27, 2019 03:22 UTC