Urban Camp (UC San Diego) Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Urban Camp is a youth detention center in San Diego, California, for male and female juveniles between the ages of 13 and 18. Since 2022, it has been a segment of the Youth Transition Campus near the Meadow Lark Courthouse. In 2018, the San Diego Probation Department relocated detained youth from the now-closed Camp Barrett to the original Urban Camp within the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.
In recent years, multiple San Diego County juvenile detention facilities have been the subject of numerous lawsuits over accusations of juvenile detention center sexual abuse, including allegations involving the Youth Transition Campus and Kearny Mesa. The lawsuits allege that systemic failures by the county in training, hiring, and supervision practices enabled staff to sexually abuse residents.
Have you experienced sexual assault or abuse?
Helping Survivors can connect you with an attorney if you may have a case. While we cannot report a crime on your behalf, your safety is important. Please contact your local authorities for further assistance.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- The Urban Camp is a section of San Diego’s Youth Transition Campus, a juvenile detention center for teenagers charged with crimes and awaiting adjudication.
- In recent years, former detainees of the Youth Transition Campus and multiple other San Diego juvenile detention centers have filed lawsuits alleging the facilities failed to prevent sexual abuse by staff.
- To learn more about your legal options and be connected with an experienced juvenile detention sexual abuse attorney, reach out to Helping Survivors today.
Urban Camp Sex Abuse Allegations
In December 2022, nearly 300 former juvenile hall residents sued Los Angeles County for routine abuse by employees of the Los Angeles Probation Department. Similar suits have followed in San Diego and San Bernardino as more and more former detainees have come forward about abuse they experienced as children in these facilities.
Although a 2021 inspection of the Urban Camp by the San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission found no allegations of abuse in the past year, both of the camp’s parent facilities, Kearny Mesa and the Youth Transition Campus, have been named in lawsuits alleging abuse.
If you or a loved one survived sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center in California, you may feel scared or reluctant to come forward. However, if you experienced abuse at Urban Camp or another juvenile facility, you have legal rights and options. You deserve to have your voice heard and hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm they have caused.
Legal Rights and Options for Victims of Urban Camp Sexual Abuse
Report to Law Enforcement
Victims of sexual abuse in juvenile detention facilities can contact the San Diego Police Department directly to report the abuse. Once police receive the report, they may investigate and prompt state prosecutors to file criminal charges against the perpetrator. Before contacting law enforcement about sexual abuse, consult an experienced attorney who can ensure your rights are protected throughout the reporting process.
Report to San Diego County Probation Department
The San Diego County Probation Department manages the county’s juvenile detention facilities, so victims or their guardians can contact the department directly to report abuse. When a detainee reports sexual abuse, local law enforcement is contacted for a possible investigation, and the probation department will also conduct an internal administrative review into allegations made against staff at juvenile facilities.
Victims of sexual abuse at Urban Camp can also report to the Office of Youth and Community Restoration by calling 1-844-402-1880 or submitting a complaint online. Finally, the California Bureau of Children’s Justice also protects children’s rights in the California juvenile justice system and encourages detainees to submit complaints about violations online.
Contact RAINN
If you need emotional support after experiencing harm, you can contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN, a national advocacy organization that provides support to survivors of sexual abuse. While they do not directly investigate abuse, they can connect victims with local resources, including counseling for mental health needs.
File a Civil Lawsuit
Survivors might have the option to file a civil child sexual abuse lawsuit against the responsible parties, such as the facility or the individuals involved. It’s critical to have representation by an attorney experienced with juvenile detention sexual abuse cases. Helping Survivors can assist survivors by connecting them to law firms that offer free legal consultations and represent them on a contingency fee basis, meaning they’ll charge no upfront costs for pursuing a claim.
Do I Have a Case for a Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Urban Camp?
There are a few key factors that can determine if a person has a case for a sexual abuse lawsuit against Urban Camp. You must prove the abuse occurred because of the county’s negligence or systemic failures, such as faulty hiring practices, insufficient training, or inadequate supervision. An experienced lawyer can investigate and gather evidence to build your case.
In California, the statute of limitations, or filing deadline, for childhood sexual abuse cases has changed multiple times in recent years. In 2019, Assembly Bill 218 significantly extended the statute of limitations and revived some previously time-barred claims. After AB 218 took effect, survivors had until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the harm the abuse caused to file a lawsuit, and a lookback window for previously expired claims ran until 2023.
However, in 2024, lawmakers enacted another law eliminating the statute of limitations for any child sexual abuse actions arising on or after January 1, 2024. However, this law is not retroactive. Therefore, if your abuse occurred before 2024, you still have until your 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the abuse to file. Even if you believe the statute of limitations has expired, contact us anyway. Our law firm partners can evaluate the specifics related to your case and determine if you still have a viable claim.
How a Juvenile Detention Sexual Abuse Attorney Can Help
It can be difficult to prove cases of juvenile detention center sexual abuse, especially if the abuse happened years or even decades ago. Thus, it’s important for survivors to work with an experienced sexual abuse attorney who is familiar with the process and the evidence necessary for a successful case.
At Helping Survivors, we work to help impacted individuals understand their legal rights and options after experiencing sexual abuse. Our team can connect you with experienced attorneys who specialize in juvenile detention sex abuse lawsuits to guide you through the legal process. With the help of an attorney, you can file a civil lawsuit against the individuals, institutions, and organizations that perpetrated and enabled your abuse to recover compensation and justice. Every law firm we work with provides free consultations and takes these types of cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs for pursuing a claim.
Contact Helping Survivors today to learn more and get connected.
Urban Camp Sex Abuse Lawsuit FAQs
Can I Still File a Lawsuit if the Sexual Abuse at Urban Camp Happened Decades Ago?
In California, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file lawsuits against the perpetrators and institutions that enabled the abuse until their 40th birthday in many cases. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you didn’t realize the abuse caused you harm until later on, you can file a lawsuit within five years of discovering the harm, even if it’s after your 40th birthday.
What Kinds of Evidence Do I Need To Have a Valid Lawsuit?
In a juvenile detention sexual abuse case, you must gather as much evidence as possible, not just to prove that the abuse occurred, but that the institution failed to protect you. Facility inspection reports, previous complaints, medical records, witness testimony, and more are necessary to prove your case. An experienced juvenile detention center abuse attorney can investigate and assist you with gathering the required evidence for your case.
How Much Does It Cost To File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Urban Camp?
Every law firm we work with takes these types of cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning survivors don’t have to pay anything unless their legal team wins their case. Our legal partners also offer free consultations, so you won’t have to pay anything up front.
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