U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v Southwest Key Programs Inc. (W.D. Tex.)
On July 17, 2024, the United States filed a pattern or practice complaint in United States v. Southwest Key Programs, Inc. (W.D. Tex.). The complaint alleges that Southwest Key discriminated because of sex in violation of the Fair Housing Act by subjecting unaccompanied children residing in its shelters to severe and pervasive sexual harassment by employees. The complaint also alleges that Southwest Key failed to take sufficient action to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment to protect the children in its care. Southwest Key is a national non-profit that currently operates at least 29 shelters in Texas, Arizona, and California, and is the largest private care provider for unaccompanied children in the United States. Unaccompanied children are minors present in the United States without parents or other legal guardians and without lawful immigration status in the United States.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or abuse at Southwest Key shelters or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291. For Spanish dial “2”; then dial “2” for sexual harassment cases; and dial “3” for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. For English dial “1”; then dial “2” for sexual harassment cases; and dial “9” for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. Individuals can also email the Justice Department at southwest.key@usdoj.gov or report through our online portal at civilrights.justice.gov/link/southwestkey.
Las personas que crean haber sido víctimas de acoso o abuso sexual en refugios de Southwest Key o que tienen otra información que puede ser relevante para este caso pueden comunicarse con la línea de consejos de discriminación de vivienda del Departamento de Justicia al 1-833-591-0291. Para español marque “2”; luego marque “2” para casos de acoso sexual; y marque “3” para el buzón de la demanda contra Southwest Key. Para inglés marque “1”; luego marque “2” para casos de acoso sexual; y marque “9” para el buzón de la demanda contra Southwest Key. También se puede enviar un correo electrónico al Departamento de Justicia a southwest.key@usdoj.gov o entregar un informe a través de nuestro portal en línea en civilrights.justice.gov/link/southwestkey.