Costello Prep Residential Community Home Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy, also known as Costello Prep, is the subject of several recent lawsuits by former residents who allege sexual abuse perpetrated by facility staff. If you or a loved one endured abuse while residing at Costello Prep, you may be entitled to compensation, and Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced attorney.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- The Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy is a New Jersey group home for adolescent boys who are experiencing substance abuse issues.
- Several recent lawsuits allege that Costello Prep staff routinely abused residents due to improper monitoring or discipline by state authorities.
- If you or a loved one experienced abuse at Costello Prep, you have legal rights and options and Helping Survivors is here to help you understand them.
Costello Prep is a New Jersey residential community home for boys and young men with a history of substance abuse issues. Males aged 15 to 20 can stay at the facility for several months to a year to receive substance abuse treatment, education, therapy, and other assistance. However, recent reports and lawsuits allege a hidden culture of abuse at Costello Prep, with several past residents alleging that they endured sexual abuse by staff members while residing at the home.
What is the Costello Prep Residential Community Home?
The Phillip M. Costello Preparatory Academy in Tabernacle, New Jersey, is a residential community home that serves up to 35 male youth between the ages of 15 and 20 with a history of substance abuse.
Costello Prep serves residents on probationary and committed statuses, with an average stay of 9-12 months and an average daily population of 16. Residents are provided substance abuse treatment, education, therapy, community service, and more. The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission manages the facility.
- What is the Costello Prep Residential Community Home?
- Allegations of Abuse at Costello Prep Residential Community Home
- State Oversight and Accountability
- Legal Options & Rights for Survivors of Costello Prep Residential Community Home
- What Compensation Can Survivors Pursue?
- Speak With an Experienced Sexual Abuse Attorney
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
Allegations of Abuse at Costello Prep Residential Community Home
In June 2024, eight survivors of purported childhood sexual abuse by staff at Costello Prep and several other New Jersey state-run juvenile detention centers and residential communities sued the state for enabling the abuse.
The lawsuits against Costello Prep and the state regulatory agencies allege that for decades, minors detained at Costello and other facilities suffered sexual abuse by facility staff, and the state turned a blind eye.
The abuse allegedly ranged from inappropriate strip searches to forceful sexual assaults. The plaintiffs assert that relationships between staff and residents often involved grooming and bribery with privileges and contraband. The lawsuits contend that a lack of institutional oversight enabled the abuse to occur undeterred.
According to a 2023 Prison Rape Elimination Act audit of the Costello Prep Residential Community Home, the facility had no reported sexual abuse incidents and just one allegation of sexual harassment by staff between 2022 and 2023. However, many individuals may have experienced abuse but did not report due to fear of retaliation or shame.
State Oversight and Accountability
Across New Jersey, more than 350 people have recently sued the state and its agencies for sexual abuse they endured while in state-run juvenile detention and residential youth facilities. The state Supreme Court has ordered all such claims to be overseen by one judge in Middlesex County as a multi-county litigation, citing common issues such as understaffing, inadequate supervision, and a lack of staff training.
How to Report Sex Abuse in New Jersey
For sexual abuse survivors, reporting the abuse can feel scary, but it’s an important step to begin the process of filing a civil lawsuit or starting a criminal investigation. In New Jersey, you can report child abuse to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency’s Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit by calling 1-877-NJ-ABUSE, or 1-877-652-2873. You can also report abuse at New Jersey-run facilities such as Costello Prep by filing a complaint with the Juvenile Justice Commission’s Office of Investigations.
If you endured sexual abuse or assault at Costello Prep when you were 18 or older, the process of reporting is different. You can start by reporting the abuse to your local law enforcement office, even if the abuse occurred years ago.
Legal Options & Rights for Survivors of Costello Prep Residential Community Home
Survivors of sexual abuse at Costello Prep Residential Community Home have multiple options for seeking justice. It takes courage to speak out and make your voice heard. You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against Costello Prep and the state of New Jersey for creating conditions that enabled abuse. You may also report the abuse to law enforcement to initiate a criminal investigation against the individual perpetrators.
How to File A Lawsuit Against Costello Prep Residential Community Home
Filing a civil sexual abuse lawsuit in New Jersey is possible for many survivors, even if the abuse occurred years or even decades ago. To file suit, your case must be within the state’s statute of limitations, but there are some exceptions to these rules. An experienced sexual abuse attorney can walk you through your options and eligibility in a free, confidential consultation. Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced law firm for free today, and if they believe you have a case, can represent you on contingency — meaning there are no upfront costs to exploring your options and filing a claim.
Statutes of Limitations In New Jersey
Under New Jersey’s statutes of limitations, civil childhood sexual abuse lawsuits must be filed by the victim’s 55th birthday. Adult sexual assault lawsuits must be filed within seven years of the assault. For criminal cases, New Jersey has not had a deadline for most sexual offenses since 1996.
What Compensation Can Survivors Pursue?
Speak With an Experienced Sexual Abuse Attorney
Every survivor’s experience is unique, and what you do after experiencing sexual violence is ultimately your choice. However, it’s important to know that you have options and legal rights.
At Helping Survivors, we connect survivors with resources and our trauma-informed legal partners to empower them to make informed decisions when they’re ready. Our partner law firms work with survivors to file civil lawsuits against the individuals, institutions, and organizations that perpetrated and enabled their abuse.
To learn more about your options, contact Helping Survivors today.
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