Florida Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: Get Help Today

Today, we’re shedding light on another deeply troubling issue: the ongoing physical and sexual abuse within Florida’s state-run and privately operated juvenile detention and youth rehabilitation centers.

In 2017, The Miami Herald exposed the cruel conditions in these facilities, revealing incidents where correctional officers physically and sexually assaulted youths and even coerced them into fighting each other. But, their report only scratches the surface of the widespread abuse occurring within Florida juvenile detention facilities.

A shocking 2019 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics highlighted a disturbing increase in sexual victimization rates in Florida’s juvenile facilities, with rates at some centers exceeding 26 percent of youth experiencing sexual violence while in a juvenile detention facility.

Facilities like Liberty Juvenile Unit, Hastings Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment Program, and Gulf Academy have been specifically named for their alarmingly high rates of sexual abuse, perpetrated often by staff members, some with criminal histories of violence.

Victims and their families have begun to fight back and hold these institutions accountable. Numerous lawsuits have been filed, demanding justice and compensation for the harm these already vulnerable youth endured.

Notably, Florida settled a case for $20 million with around 400 victims from the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, acknowledging decades of abuse.

If you or someone you love has suffered abuse in these facilities, you have rights and options. You can report the abuse to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, which oversees these centers to begin an internal investigation against a facility or an individual perpetrator.

You also have a right to file a report with law enforcement which may result in a criminal investigation against the individual perpetrators. We understand how difficult it may be for those impacted to interact with law enforcement given they were incarcerated within these systems – systems that were designed to help protect them and instead resulted in more harm.

However, filing a police report can create an important paper trail to document the harm that happened to you and we encourage you to file a report, even if years have passed, if you feel safe doing so.

You may also be able to file a civil lawsuit against the facility and/or the state to seek monetary compensation for the harm you endured. Hundreds of individuals have already come forward to file civil lawsuits – so you are not alone. While this can never heal the harm you endured, pursuing civil litigation against the state or the facility can help you take back your power, seek accountability from these systems, and help prevent future harm.

If you are exploring your rights and options after experiencing any form of abuse within a Florida juvenile detention center or youth rehabilitation center, you can reach out to us today.

We can help answer any questions and connect you with an experienced juvenile detention center abuse attorney who can provide a free consultation regarding filing a civil lawsuit and will represent you on contingency if you choose to move forward, meaning there are no upfront costs to pursuing a claim and they’re only compensated if and when they win.

We’re here to support all individuals impacted by sexual abuse – please get in touch with us today.