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California Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: Get Help Today

Those impacted by physical or sexual abuse in a California juvenile detention center deserve to seek help and healing. You have legal rights and options, from reporting to the state board to filing a civil lawsuit. We can help you take the next best step for you.

Have you experienced sexual assault or abuse?
We can help answer your questions and connect you with an attorney if you may have a case.

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Survivor Advocate

Key Takeaways

  • Over the last decade, thousands of individuals have filed lawsuits alleging physical and sexual abuse at California juvenile detention centers.
  • Unfortunately, abuse is ongoing at these facilities, but help is available to those impacted, especially since California’s favorable statute of limitations gives people more time to come forward and seek help.
  • Legal rights and options include reporting to the state oversight agencies and filing a civil lawsuit to seek monetary compensation for the harm suffered. We can help you understand these options and processes and connect you with an experienced attorney today.

California Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: An Overview

Over the past few decades, the allegations of physical and sexual abuse inside California juvenile detention centers have continued to grow despite media attention and further government oversight.

If you or someone you know experienced physical or sexual abuse while at a California juvenile facility, you have rights and options. Helping Survivors provides resources to help you learn more about your options and how you can get help today.

In September 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 823, which required the state’s Division of Juvenile Justice, or DJJ, to shut down all state-run juvenile correctional facilities by June 30, 2023. This bill realigned all operational juvenile detention centers from under state administration, placing them under the responsibility of county governments.

In July 2021, the counties became fully responsible for housing, programming, and treatment of youth. Juvenile offenders could no longer be committed to the DJJ.

While the DJJ fully ceased operations in July 2023, over a dozen juvenile detention facilities still operate in California, housing hundreds of youth who may be experiencing physical and sexual abuse today.

As of September 2024, thousands of impacted individuals have come forward and filed civil lawsuits for the abuse they suffered while incarcerated in these centers.

Between December 2022 and June 2023, nearly 600 survivors of sexual abuse and harassment at Los Angeles County’s juvenile facilities filed a series of lawsuits against Los Angeles County and over 200 unnamed officers at a variety of facilities with abuse allegations spanning over 20 years. There are believed to be over 2,300 separate cases filed against Los Angeles County in recent years—with hundreds more filed against facilities around the state.

These lawsuits allege that officers and facility officials routinely harmed juvenile inmates and threatened them to ensure their silence. Among other things, the youths allege that facility personnel exchanged contraband for sexual contact or silence, retaliated against those who reported abuse, and failed to properly train staff or investigate suspected misconduct.

While much of the focus has been on the facilities in Los Angeles County, there are at least a dozen juvenile detention facilities across California, with many facing the same severe abuse allegations—with survivors coming forward ranging in age from their 20s to 70s.

California Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: Examples & How to Get Help

Suffering harm of any kind can be deeply traumatizing, and it’s often difficult for survivors to fully recognize the abuse as it happens. Those incarcerated at juvenile detention centers have likely already suffered in their home lives before entering the facilities. They then experience even further harm while at these juvenile detention centers, even though these facilities are meant to be spaces for them to rehabilitate, learn, and move forward.

Those sexually abused at detention centers might even believe that they consented to the acts at the time. However, minors do not have the legal capacity to consent to sexual activity. Moreover, the law acknowledges the power and control that guards and staff have over detainees, meaning detainees cannot legally consent to sexual acts regardless of the circumstances.

Examples of Physical & Sexual Abuse in California Juvenile Detention Centers

Some documented forms of physical and sexual abuse in California youth detention centers include the following: 

  • Strangulation
  • Use of excessive force, including the use of tasers and pepper spray
  • Holding inmates in stressful positions for extended periods
  • Inappropriate, unnecessary, or excessive strip searches
  • Exposure to pornographic material 
  • Requests to produce pornographic photos or videos 
  • Solicitation of sexual acts in exchange for drugs, money, or food 
  • Sexual assault
  • Rape 
  • Retaliating against those who report sexual misconduct
  • Lack of investigating sexual misconduct claims 

If you have experienced any form of physical or sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center, you have legal rights and options. 

We understand that you may have difficulty believing in or trusting the legal system after your experience. However, an experienced and trauma-informed attorney can help support you in this process and advocate for your best interests. Helping Survivors works with experienced California juvenile detention center abuse lawyers who can help you understand your rights and options, including filing a civil lawsuit against the facility, the county, and the perpetrators. Contact us, and we will connect you with someone today. 

One of the biggest challenges in seeking justice and accountability for the harm you suffered is the filing deadline imposed by the statute of limitations. The criminal statute of limitations sets the deadline for prosecutors to file criminal charges. The civil statute of limitations sets how long individuals can file civil lawsuits after an incident occurs. 

When the statute of limitations expires, perpetrators cannot be criminally charged, and individuals who have suffered harm cannot pursue lawsuits. 

California passed the Child Victims Act in 2019 to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits, including juvenile detention center abuse lawsuits. 

Under the California CVA, individuals sexually abused as minors can file claims until they turn 40—or 22 years after turning 18. Meanwhile, those victimized by childhood sexual abuse who are now over 40 can file claims if they have discovered psychological injuries from the abuse within the past five years.

If you were over 18 when you experienced sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center, you still have options to pursue justice, including filing a claim under the California Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act. This law opens a temporary window for individuals sexually abused as adults since January 1, 2009, to file claims during a four-year window. That window will remain open until December 31, 2026. 

Given the complex nature of sexual abuse litigation, speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible is critical. Helping Survivors can connect you with someone today to help you learn your rights and options.

Were You A Victim of Sexual Assault or Harassment in a Juvenile Detention Center?

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List of Juvenile Detention Centers in California

While the DJJ shut down operations in July 2023, a majority of the facilities previously under their control are now operated by individual counties.

If you have experienced physical or sexual abuse in any of these California juvenile detention facilities, you may be entitled to seek monetary compensation for the harm you suffered.

  • Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall
  • Camp Clinton B. Afflerbaugh
  • Camp Glenn Rockey
  • Camp Joseph Paige
  • Camp Vernon Kilpatrick
  • Central Juvenile Hall
  • Dorothy Kirby Center
  • Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility
  • Karl Holton Youth Correctional Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facility
  • Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall
  • N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility (NAC)
  • O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility
  • Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp
  • Preston Youth Correctional Facility
  • Southern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic
  • S. Carraway Public Service and Fire Center
  • Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF)

Legal Rights and Options for Individuals Impacted by Juvenile Detention Center Abuse in California

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse at a juvenile detention center in California, you have rights and options. You are entitled to report the abuse to the state board, speak to the media, report to law enforcement, and file a civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages for the harm you endured.

If you have questions about these options or want to speak with an experienced California juvenile detention center abuse lawyer who can explain your rights and options, please contact us today.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit for Juvenile Detention Center Abuse in California

You may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit or participate in an existing one against a California juvenile facility, the state, a county, and the perpetrator.

A civil lawsuit enables you to seek monetary damages to compensate for the harm you endured. Additionally, a civil lawsuit can establish a public record documenting the abuse to let other survivors know they are not alone and encourage them to come forward. To protect your identity, you can likely file your lawsuit anonymously under seal as a “Jane Doe” or “John Doe” so you do not have to fear what happened to you becoming public information.

As mentioned above, sexual abuse lawsuits are subject to a legal deadline called the civil statute of limitations. While the California statute of limitations for filing a juvenile detention center abuse lawsuit is somewhat favorable to survivors, the sooner you speak to an experienced attorney, the better. Evidence disappears, and memories fade. Often, you need to act quickly to build a successful case.

Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced and reputable lawyer who can provide a free consultation to discuss your ability to file a lawsuit. Additionally, experienced juvenile detention center abuse attorneys generally take these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs for filing suit, and they only get paid if and when they recover compensation.

Report California Juvenile Detention Center Abuse to the State

Individuals also have the right to report sexual abuse at California juvenile detention centers to the California Board of State and Community Corrections, which oversees all juvenile and adult facilities within the state.

While they do not provide an online reporting mechanism, you can contact the agency.

You can also file a complaint with the Bureau of Children’s Justice, or BCJ. This can be done online, with an option to file a report anonymously.

Please note: We strongly recommend you consult an experienced lawyer specializing in juvenile detention center abuse before contacting oversight organizations. An attorney can help safeguard your rights throughout the reporting process. Helping Survivors can connect you with a qualified attorney today.

Report California Juvenile Detention Center Abuse to Law Enforcement

You have a right to file a report with law enforcement regarding the harm that happened to you.

Reporting abuse to the police can be daunting for survivors of juvenile detention center abuse, especially since the harm was likely perpetrated by an individual within law enforcement, such as a police officer, a correctional officer, a guard, or another staff member.

If the individual remains incarcerated, they might not feel safe reporting the abuse themselves due to fear of retaliation. However, a trusted person can assist in navigating the reporting process from the outside, exploring the youth’s rights and options while prioritizing their safety within the facility. Once again, we strongly recommend consulting an experienced attorney who can help ensure the individual does not face further retaliatory abuse while seeking assistance.

If the abuse happened years ago, you still have a right to report the abuse to law enforcement. However, the authorities’ ability to prosecute the offense will depend on various factors, including the availability of evidence and the applicable criminal statute of limitations.

Reporting the abuse to law enforcement will trigger a criminal investigation. Prosecutors will determine whether to press criminal charges against the perpetrator.

If you wish to report the abuse to law enforcement, we can help you understand the process.

How an Experienced California Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawyer Can Help

While an attorney’s main role regarding a juvenile detention center abuse case is pursuing civil litigation for the harm you suffered, they can also assist by answering your questions, explaining your options and the processes involved, and protecting your rights while you report the abuse to law enforcement and oversight agencies.

An experienced juvenile detention center abuse lawyer can help with the following:

  • Investigate and gather evidence of the abuse at the facility.
  • Prepare and submit a report to the oversight authorities, such as the BCJ or the California Board of State and Community Corrections.
  • Report the incident to law enforcement if not already done.
  • Initiate a sexual abuse lawsuit on your behalf.
  • Manage all communications with the parties involved, the other parties’ legal representatives, and the courts.
  • Manage the discovery process, including depositions if necessary.
  • Negotiate with state and facility representatives for a fair and just settlement.
  • Represent you in court proceedings, including a trial if necessary.
  • File the lawsuit under seal or anonymously to protect your identity as allowed by law.
  • Advocate for your best interests throughout the case.

Finding a reliable and experienced attorney can feel overwhelming, particularly after experiencing harm within the legal system.

At Helping Survivors, we partner with experienced law firms across the country that specialize in supporting survivors of all types of sexual abuse, including those who experience juvenile detention center abuse.

Each law firm we collaborate with employs trauma-informed professionals who are dedicated advocates for abuse survivors. They offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and they only get paid if and when they secure compensation for you.

Contact us today, and we can connect you with an experienced attorney.

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