Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday creating a $20 million compensation fund for survivors of abuse at the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and the Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee.
These institutions were infamous for the physical, mental, and sexual abuse that took place within their walls for decades.
The bill, HB 21, establishes the "Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program" within the Department of Legal Affairs.
The program will compensate individuals who were confined at either Dozier or Okeechobee between 1940 and 1975 and suffered abuse at the hands of school personnel.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs ‘Dozier School For Boys’ Compensation Bill
To be eligible for compensation, applicants must provide "reasonable proof" of their presence at the schools during the specified time frame and of the abuse they endured. This can include sworn statements and other supporting documentation.
For years, survivors of Dozier and Okeechobee have fought tirelessly for recognition and compensation from the state. This legislation marks a significant victory in their long struggle for justice.
Dozier School for Boys: A Dark Chapter in Florida's History
The Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, formerly the Florida State Reform School, was a state-run reform school in Marianna, Florida, that operated from 1900 to 2011. Throughout its existence, it became infamous for the systemic abuse and mistreatment of children placed in its care.
The school's history is marred by allegations of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse perpetrated by staff members. Former students recounted horrific experiences of beatings, solitary confinement, and even torture. Dozens of unmarked graves were discovered on the school grounds, raising questions about the true number of deaths and disappearances that occurred within its walls.
In the 1960s, a group of former students known as the "White House Boys" came forward with stories of brutal beatings and sexual abuse they endured in a small white building on campus. Their accounts sparked investigations and brought the school's dark secrets into the public eye.
Read: Memorial Dedicated At The Dozier School For Boys In Florida
Despite numerous investigations and promises of reform over the years, the abuse persisted. In 2011, the school was finally shut down due to mounting pressure from survivors, advocates, and media scrutiny.
In recent years, efforts have been made to acknowledge the suffering of victims and provide some measure of justice. The University of South Florida conducted extensive research and exhumations on the Dozier site, leading to the identification of some of the remains and providing closure for families.
Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee: A Legacy of Abuse and Reform
The Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee, established in 1955 as a sister institution to the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, was intended to alleviate overcrowding at Dozier. However, it quickly developed a reputation for brutality and abuse mirroring that of its counterpart.
For decades, the Okeechobee school housed young boys who were often sent there for minor offenses or simply because they were deemed "incorrigible." Within its walls, they faced a harsh reality of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of staff members.
Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of beatings, solitary confinement, and forced labor. The institution's remote location and lack of oversight allowed the abuse to continue unchecked for years.
Despite periodic investigations and promises of reform, the problems at Okeechobee persisted. In 2011, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice closed the school permanently, following the closure of Dozier earlier that year.
In the wake of the school's closure, survivors have sought recognition and justice for the trauma they endured. Their efforts have led to increased scrutiny of the state's juvenile justice system and calls for accountability.
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