Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
The Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall is a central California detention facility for juveniles who have committed crimes before turning 18. Detained youths are taken into custody by the county’s probation department and kept at Juvenile Hall pending completion of their court proceedings. While the facility provides various rehabilitative programs, there are numerous concerns about sexual misconduct by probation officers and other staff.
Since 2019, hundreds of people have sued juvenile detention facilities across California for juvenile detention center sexual abuse. The lawsuits allege that the county was negligent in its training, hiring, and supervision of staff, which enabled sexual abuse against residents to occur.
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 Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall is a detention center for minor inmates in Modesto, California, managed by the Stanislaus County Probation Department.
- Various California counties and juvenile detention centers have faced hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits in recent years.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit. Reach out to Helping Survivors to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Sexual Abuse Allegations at Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall
While no lawsuits have recently been filed over alleged sexual abuse at Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, the facility and its oversight agencies have a problematic history of misconduct. In November 2024, a Stanislaus County probation officer was arrested on charges of invasion of privacy and possession of matter depicting sexual conduct after allegedly peeping on a woman in a retail store dressing room.
Years earlier, two teenagers were accused of sexually assaulting a fellow ward at the Juvenile Hall. The victim’s family said authorities failed to keep their child safe, but no staff members were disciplined after the incident.
Other California counties, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino, have faced hundreds of lawsuits from survivors who say they were sexually abused in county juvenile detention facilities. Most of the lawsuits allege abuse by probation officers, counselors, and other staff. The lawsuits 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.
Steps to Take if Abused at Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your rights.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention to treat physical or psychological harm from the abuse as soon as possible. This will also establish medical documentation that could help your claim if you opt to pursue criminal or civil legal action.
Report the Abuse
Juvenile detention center sexual abuse survivors have the right to report abuse to the authorities, file a civil lawsuit, and access legal and mental health support services. Statewide, victims of sexual abuse can report to the Office of Youth and Community Restoration or the California Bureau of Children’s Justice. You can file a report even if the abuse occurred when you were a minor or happened years ago.
Survivors also may report abuse to external authorities such as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or local law enforcement.
Document the Abuse
After experiencing sexual violence, documenting the abuse is important because it provides evidence for legal proceedings or investigations. An experienced attorney can help with this process. However, if the impacted individual is still in the institution, they may discuss the matter with a trusted individual such as their legal representative.
File A Civil Lawsuit Against Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall
Survivors of sexual abuse at Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the parties responsible for the abuse. Unlike criminal charges, civil lawsuits do not result in jail time for the perpetrator. Instead, they provide victims with a means to seek justice, accountability, and monetary compensation for their damages from the abuse. It’s important to contact an experienced juvenile detention sex abuse attorney to better understand your legal rights and options after experiencing harm.
California has a deadline for sexual abuse lawsuits. In 2019, Assembly Bill 218 significantly extended the statute of limitations for these cases and created a three-year “lookback window” that revived all civil claims that were time-barred as of January 1, 2020. After A.B. 218 took effect, survivors had until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering their injury to file suit. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall if I was Sexually Abused?
You may be able to sue Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall and the Stanislaus County Probation Department if you were sexually abused while detained there. Your eligibility will depend on whether your claim is within the statute of limitations and the amount of evidence available.
Can I Face Retaliation for Reporting Abuse?
It is illegal for juvenile detention centers, such as the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, to retaliate against those who report abuse in detention. If you face retaliation, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
If a loved one reports being retaliated against, we highly recommend contacting their legal representative and an experienced lawyer. Helping Survivors can connect you with someone for free today.
What Kind of Legal Assistance is Available to Abuse Victims?
California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy’s Law, grants sexual violence survivors 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 help ease the burden placed on abuse victims.
How Helping Survivors Can Help
At Helping Survivors, our mission is to help heal, educate, and empower people impacted by sexual abuse. We work to inform survivors of their rights, connect them with resources for information and support, and make legal introductions to our partner law firms. These firms work with survivors to file civil lawsuits against the individuals and institutions that perpetrated and enabled the abuse so victims can be compensated for their suffering.
We can help you learn more about your legal rights and options and connect you with an experienced attorney for free today.
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