Philly Family Court said it won't strip-search kids anymore
The new Philadelphia Family Court issued a statement that ended strip searching of children on their way to juvenile hearings or even custody cases.
Philly's newly-built Family Court opened earlier this week, but that's not what made the headlines. Court administrators reported that sheriff's deputies charged with the building's security had been strip searching juveniles and children coming in for criminal and custody hearings alike. Not long after the reports surfaced, the court ended the policy.
But for nearly two days, from Nov. 17 into Nov. 18, children were asked to remove their clothing, squat and cough, according to allegations. The Family Court issued a statement that did not confirm the reports, but made clear that the Sheriff's Office was directed to end the practice.
Child advocates said that the strip search could be traumatizing, especially for children who had been victims of sexual assault or abuse.
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