Road to Justice for Dozier Survivors Leads to Gov. DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA [MARCH 6, 2024] – The Florida Senate has taken a significant step towards justice for victims of abuse at the Dozier School for Boys and the Okeechobee School for Boys by unanimously approving a $20 million allocation for the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program (CS/HB 21). This vital allocation represents a crucial milestone in addressing the harrowing experiences of those who endured beatings, rapes, and even death at these institutions.

The approval of this measure, designated as #HB 21 and sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, and Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, marks a historic moment for survivors who have tirelessly fought for justice for over 16 years. 

More than 30 Dozier victims and family members were in the Capitol Monday to witness this historical legislation. Many of them testified in House and Senate hearings in prior weeks to the horrific abuse and rapes they suffered as children at the state-run "reform schools."

The unwavering commitment of Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) Attorneys Mike Papantonio and Troy Rafferty has played a pivotal role in advocating for these survivors and pushing for this essential restitution. 

Upon taking on the mission to champion the rights of victims, Papantonio and Rafferty traveled to the Dozier School with survivors to hear firsthand about their experiences. The attorneys were accompanied by a film crew producing a documentary about the institutions. 

For the last two years, Rafferty has been meeting with legislators to underscore the importance of compensating victims for the abuse they endured at Dozier and Okeechobee. A pivotal move in this effort was Rafferty convincing Rep. Salzman to sponsor the bill. 

Rafferty shared with Salzman the gravity of the situation, highlighting that 183 children who were admitted to the Dozier School have never been located. He described the appalling conditions faced by these children, including the use of a 20-inch mallet with a leather strap and metal rivets--a weapon used repeatedly to inflict harm. He told her about the medical experiments conducted on kids. She was convinced something had to be done.

"I cannot overstate the role Representative Salzman played in Monday's outcome," Rafferty said. "She has been utterly fierce in her dedication to these victims."

Reflecting on the haunting legacy of the Dozier School, Troy Rafferty expressed, "One of the saddest days of my life was the day I walked through the Dozier School grounds with men who survived the horrors of Dozier as young boys. The evil is still there. It is palpable. I felt it in the core of my being."

The approved measure not only allocates funds for compensation but also establishes a process for survivors to apply for restitution. Additionally, it enables the state Department of Education to award high-school diplomas to former students who were unable to complete graduation requirements.

Now, as the measure awaits action from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, survivors and advocates emphasize the urgency of ensuring restitution for decades of pain and suffering. This allocation is a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing the profound injustices inflicted upon the victims of abuse at the Dozier and Okeechobee Schools.

Despite hundreds of documented cases of rape, torture, and death, the Dozier School remained open from January 1, 1900, to June 30, 2011. A second campus was opened in the town of Okeechobee in 1955. 

In 2013, a team of anthropologists from the University of South Florida excavated the facility grounds and discovered 55 sets of human child remains. 

In 2017, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 7115, establishing the Dozier School for Boys Memorial. “The memorial in Marianna is designed to tell the story of the boys who lived and died while at the school,” stated a DMS press release.

In 2013, a team of anthropologists from the University of South Florida excavated the facility grounds. Over time, the team discovered 55 sets of human child remains.

Papantonio and Rafferty, along with other members of the LPR staff, are participating in “The Florida Boys,” a documentary about the atrocities that occurred in the Dozier School for Boys. The film is currently under production. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Sara Stephens | 281-744-6560  | sstephens@levinlaw.com

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Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR) is a leading, national law firm dedicated to advocating for justice and compensation for victims of abuse, negligence, and corporate wrongdoing. With a strong commitment to social justice, the firm's attorneys strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by injustice.

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