Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center, sometimes referred to as Gilbert Street Juvenile Hall, is one of San Bernardino County’s main juvenile detention facilities. The center has a capacity of 260 and is primarily staffed with county probation corrections officers and supervisors. Unfortunately, like many California juvenile detention facilities, the CVJDAC is the subject of lawsuits alleging widespread sexual abuse of detained minors by county employees.
Juvenile detention center sexual abuse can have profound, long-lasting physical and psychological effects on survivors. If you have experienced sexual abuse at a juvenile detention facility, you have legal rights and options to hold the abusers and the institutions that failed to protect you accountable.
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 Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center is an intake and detention center for minor offenders in San Bernardino, California, managed by the San Bernardino County Probation Department.
- Numerous California counties and juvenile detention centers have faced sexual abuse lawsuits in recent years, including the CVJDAC and San Bernardino County.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at the Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit. Contact Helping Survivors to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Allegations of Abuse at Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center
San Bernardino County is facing multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by staff at its juvenile facilities, including the Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center, dating back to the 1970s. The lawsuits assert that the county’s probation department systemically failed to protect minor detainees by providing inadequate supervision and underreporting abuse incidents.
Other California counties, including San Diego and Los Angeles, also face hundreds of lawsuits from survivors who allege they were sexually abused in county juvenile detention facilities by probation officers, counselors, and other staff. The suits accuse county officials of failing to adequately screen officers before hiring them, failing to intervene and prevent abuse, failing to properly investigate complaints of abuse, and failing to discipline abusive officers.
The San Bernardino lawsuits are nearly identical, highlighting a statewide failure to protect vulnerable youth from sexual violence.
December 2023 Lawsuits
In December 2023, four sexual abuse survivors sued San Bernardino County. One of the plaintiffs alleges that he was abused by a probation officer at the CVJDAC when he was just 10 years old and too young to understand what was happening. Additional lawsuits concerning California juvenile detention center sexual abuse continue to emerge in 2025.
Rights and Options for Survivors of Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center Sex Abuse
Many childhood sexual abuse survivors may be reluctant to come forward. However, it’s important for them to know that they have the following legal rights and options.
File a Formal Complaint with the State
Those who experienced juvenile detention center sexual abuse in California may file a formal complaint with the state. Survivors can report abuse to the Bureau of Children’s Justice of the Office of Youth and Community Restoration. California has enacted a Youth Bill of Rights to protect the rights of minor detainees and establish reporting options for abuse. If you think your rights have been violated in a juvenile detention center, you can file a complaint by calling 1 (844) 402-1880 or emailing OYCRombuds@chhs.ca.gov.
California offers a host of legal protections for sexual violence survivors. The Victims’ Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy’s Law, grants survivors of sexual violence specific protections throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process. Additionally, the state’s Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights further protects victims from retaliation and ensures their rights, privacy, and well-being are maintained throughout the legal process. Working with an experienced sexual abuse attorney can also ease some of the burden placed on abuse victims.
Report to Law Enforcement
Another reporting option for sexual abuse survivors is to contact local law enforcement or the California Department of Social Services.
Contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
For emotional or mental health support and resources, you can contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN, a national organization that provides support to sexual abuse survivors. Although the organization does not directly investigate abuse, it can connect victims with local resources that offer counseling for mental health needs.
How to File a Civil Lawsuit
Like most states, California has a deadline for sexual abuse lawsuits. In 2019, Assembly Bill 218 significantly extended the statute of limitations for these cases and revived some previously time-barred claims. After A.B. 218 took effect, survivors had until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering their injuries to file a lawsuit.
In 2024, another bill, A.B. 452, eliminated the statute of limitations for any child sexual abuse actions arising on or after January 1, 2024. If the abuse you endured occurred before that date, you still have until your 40th birthday or within five years of discovery to take action. This means that survivors can still file sexual abuse lawsuits even if the abuse occurred decades ago.
Why You Should Contact A Juvenile Detention Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one endured sexual abuse at the Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center in San Bernardino, you have legal rights and options for holding the responsible parties accountable.
Before you report the abuse to authorities or take legal action, we recommend speaking with a juvenile detention center sexual abuse attorney to ensure your rights and well-being are protected. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and give you the best chance of recovering justice and compensation.
At Helping Survivors, we work to help heal, educate, and empower sexual abuse victims by providing information, resources, and legal introductions to our partner law firms. These firms can file civil lawsuits against the individuals, institutions, and government entities that perpetrated and enabled the abuse you endured to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Our legal partners prioritize privacy, confidentiality, and trauma-informed support so that you won’t feel alone during the legal process. Every law firm we work with provides a free consultation and takes cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs for pursuing a claim. Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced attorney today.
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