Section 2639 Of Article 3. Sexual Abuse In Detention From California Penal Code >> Title 1. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 3.
2639
. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall ensure
that the following procedures are performed in the investigation and
prosecution of sexual abuse incidents:
(a) The provision of safe housing options, medical care, and the
like shall not be contingent upon the victim's willingness to press
charges.
(b) Investigations into allegations of sexual abuse shall include,
when deemed appropriate by the investigating agency, the use of
forensic rape kits, questioning of suspects and witnesses, and
gathering of other relevant evidence.
(c) Physical and testimonial evidence shall be carefully preserved
for use in any future proceedings.
(d) Staff attitudes that inmates and wards cannot provide reliable
information shall be discouraged.
(e) If an investigation confirms that any employee has sexually
abused an inmate or ward, that employee shall be terminated.
Administrators shall report criminal sexual abuse by staff to law
enforcement authorities.
(f) Consensual sodomy and oral copulation among inmates is
prohibited by subdivision (e) of Section 286 and subdivision (e) of
Section 288a, respectively. Without repealing those provisions, the
increased scrutiny provided by this article shall apply only to
nonconsensual sexual contact among inmates and custodial sexual
misconduct.