The Freedom From Religion Foundation celebrates a historic legislative victory for children’s rights.
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (S 1351) officially became law recently. President Biden signed this critical legislation after overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress (373 Yeas, 33 Nays). It marks a significant step forward in safeguarding minors in residential facilities nationwide.
“This is a monumental day for protecting vulnerable youth,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “By addressing systemic abuse in youth residential programs and ensuring meaningful oversight, this legislation sends a clear message: The well-being of children is paramount.”
FFRF has been a staunch advocate for this bill since its inception.
Every year, between 120,000 and 200,000 minors are placed in residential facilities, including boot camps, therapeutic boarding schools and wilderness programs, with an estimated $23 billion in public funds funneled into these institutions. Yet, reports of neglect, abuse and mistreatment within these facilities have persisted for decades, often under the guise of religious discipline.
The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act introduces comprehensive reforms to improve the safety and transparency of these facilities by:
- Establishing oversight measures: Strengthening federal oversight to prevent abuse and neglect in publicly and privately operated youth residential programs.
- Enhancing data transparency: Promoting information-sharing among states and fostering best practices for protecting vulnerable children.
- Holding institutions accountable: Addressing systemic failures, including those in religious institutions that have historically used their affiliations to evade scrutiny and accountability.
“This legislation wouldn’t have been possible without the courage of survivors who shared their stories and the bipartisan efforts of leaders like Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine,” says Dan Barker, FFRF co-president.
FFRF has long advocated for addressing abuses in institutions that often use religious affiliations to avoid oversight. Cases of severe abuse, from Missouri’s Agape Boarding School to Indiana’s Hephzibah House, have highlighted the urgent need for reform.
“This law is a critical step toward ensuring that no institution — religious or secular — can operate without accountability for the safety and well-being of the children in its care,” says Mark Dann, director of governmental affairs at the FFRF Action Fund.
FFRF commends the dedication of advocates, legislators and survivors who made this moment possible. As an organization committed to protecting the separation of state and church, FFRF will continue monitoring the implementation of this law to ensure its promises are fulfilled.
For more information on FFRF’s work, visit ffrf.org. For more information on FFRF Action Fund’s work, visit https://ffrfaction.org/
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 40,000 members, working to promote the constitutional principle of separation of state and church and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
Photo by kevin laminto on Unsplash
