Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

Compliance with Prison Rape Elimination Act Agency Policy (PREA)

In compliance with section115.322 of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) 28 C.F.R Part 115 Standards, the Diakon Weekend Alternative Program has provided policies to ensure referrals of allegations for investigations.

Zero Tolerance Provision

The Diakon Weekend Alternative Program has zero tolerance of sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment against any resident in its care. This is consistent with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), Department of Public Welfare, and facility policy.

23 PA.C.S. Child Protective Services Law

This chapter applies to the department; other departments, boards, bureaus and agencies of the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions; county children and youth social service agencies and other agencies providing services to children and youth; law enforcement officials; county executives officers; auditors of the Federal government; public and nonpublic schools; intermediate units; area vocational technical schools; independent school contractors; and persons who, in the course of their employment or occupation or in the practice of their profession, come into contact with children.

Forms of sexual abuse and harassment include but are not limited to:
  1. Any behavior of a sexual nature directed toward a resident by staff or volunteers.
  2. Inappropriate touching.
  3. All completed, attempted, threatened or requested sexual acts between staff or volunteers and residents.
  4. Sexual comments and conversations with sexually suggestive innuendos or double meanings

Responsibility to Report

Staff and/or volunteers must report any inappropriate behavior immediately. The presence of illegal and unethical behavior compromises the security and safety of the agency and its residents.

To report allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse or sexual harassment at any Diakon Youth Services programs call 1-855-561-7821 or Child Line at 800-832-0313

Reporting Abuse

If you suspect sexual abuse has happened at the Diakon Weekend Alternative Program, you may contact the executive director, Jason Brode at (717) 960-6724 or the Diakon Compliance Hotline at 855-561-7821. You may also contact the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H – Area II at (717) 671-7500. Please have any information or evidence available for the investigator who will be assigned to handle the case. False accusations may be prosecuted. All reports are taken seriously and investigated as outlined in PREA.

Data Review for Corrective Action and Publication

In compliance with section 115.388 of the PREA standards, the Diakon Weekend Alternative Program has reviewed the data collected and aggregated pursuant to section 115.387 in order to assess and improve the effectiveness of its sexual abuse prevention, detection and response policies, practices and training including:

  1. Identifying problem areas;
  2. Taking corrective action on an ongoing basis; and 
  3. Preparing a report of its findings and corrective actions when there has been allegations reported.

Also in compliance with Section 115.389 of the PREA standards, the Diakon Weekend Alternative Program shall make all sexual abuse data readily available to the public at least annually.

The executive director will issue a report regarding PREA when there have been allegations reported following an investigation and completion of the review process and data collection in compliance with 115.388 and 115.389 of the PREA Standards. 

If reports exist, they can be viewed by clicking this link. 

For additional information, please contact:

Jason Brode
Executive Director
Diakon Youth Services
(717) 960-6724