S. 5537 — Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act

This section defines emotional support service as counseling for survivors of sexual abuse at any point in life, including crisis intervention, education on abuse dynamics, safety planning, hotline services, and trauma coping assistance. It defines emotional support service provider as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with expertise in rape crisis counseling for survivors, including those in correctional settings, and with experience addressing custodial abuse dynamics and training correctional staff. It defines training services as education and technical assistance on delivering emotional support in corrections.

This section establishes a grant program authorizing the Attorney General, through the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime, to award funds to emotional support service providers for delivering services to incarcerated survivors of sexual abuse in corrections settings. It authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, to supplement rather than replace existing funding.

This section authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to experienced entities that provide training on emotional support services to corrections agencies, facilities, officers, and administrators, and requires biannual data collection on training usage volume. It authorizes appropriations of $5 million for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

This section establishes a national resource center to provide training, guidance, and resources on emotional support services for sexual abuse victims in prisons, jails, and other detention facilities. It authorizes the Attorney General to award a grant to a qualified nonprofit for the center's operation and appropriates $2 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.