Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Across Illinois, hundreds of current and former inmates have come forward to file lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse by staff at the state’s juvenile detention centers. Although no allegations of abuse at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center have yet been raised, survivors of abuse there may still come forward.
If you have experienced sexual abuse at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center or another facility, Helping Survivors can help. We can connect you with an experienced lawyer for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options for pursuing accountability.
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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- The Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center is a co-ed juvenile detention facility in Illinois that houses and rehabilitates local offenders.
- Multiple juvenile detention facilities across Illinois are now the subjects of numerous lawsuits by former detainees who claim staff sexually abused them during their confinement.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center, you have rights and legal options for holding the responsible parties accountable.
What is the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center?
The Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center opened in 1999 as a 63-bed facility designed to house and rehabilitate local youth offenders. It houses both male and female juveniles aged 10 through 21 who have been accused of serious crimes or sentenced to the facility for 30 days or less. In 2024, its average daily population was 30.
According to its website, the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center purportedly has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse. Meanwhile, audits conducted in 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024 found Peoria County’s juvenile detention facility in compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA. There were no staff-on-resident sexual abuse reports in 2022, four reports in 2023, and three reports in 2024, all of which were determined to be unfounded.
Reports of Sexual Abuse and Misconduct in Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers
A 2018 national survey of youths in custody by the US. Bureau of Justice Statistics found nearly one in 10 youth inmate respondents in Illinois juvenile detention facilities reported experiencing sexual victimization in custody—roughly 35% higher than the national average. Illinois had the sixth-highest percentage of youth in juvenile facilities reporting sexual victimization in the country.
Over the past several years, nearly 1,000 lawsuits have been filed alleging sexual abuse of detainees at Illinois Youth Centers and other state-run juvenile facilities in Illinois. Although it appears no lawsuits have alleged abuse at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center yet, survivors of abuse at all facilities are encouraged to come forward.
Table of Contents
- What is the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center?
- Reports of Sexual Abuse and Misconduct in Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers
- Developments in Illinois Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Laws
- Rights and Options for Survivors of Peoria County Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse
- Frequently Asked Questions about Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse in Peoria County, Illinois
- Speak With an Experienced Illinois Sexual Abuse Attorney
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Developments in Illinois Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Laws
In 2014, Illinois eliminated the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2014. State laws are also shifting to further protect minors from abuse in Illinois juvenile detention centers. For instance, Public Act 104-0449 gradually raises the minimum age of detention of children from 10 to 13, beginning on July 1, 2026.
In Illinois and across the country, juvenile detention facilities must also comply with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, or PREA, which sets a zero-tolerance standard for sexual assault and abuse in correctional facilities by requiring extensive documentation of abuse and imposing strict investigation standards.
Rights and Options for Survivors of Peoria County Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse
Survivors of juvenile detention center sexual abuse in Illinois may have several legal options for holding the responsible parties accountable, including filing a civil lawsuit and reporting the abuse to law enforcement to initiate a criminal case. Consult an attorney before taking action to determine whether you may have a claim.
Filing a Complaint with Oversight Agencies
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center, you have several options for reporting the abuse to oversight agencies.
You can report sexual abuse and harassment of minor inmates in Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice custody online or by calling 217-557-1030. Reports can be made anonymously.
You can also report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services or the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
Reporting to Law Enforcement
Reporting sexual abuse to law enforcement can spur police and prosecutors to initiate a criminal investigation, which could lead to the filing of criminal charges against the perpetrator. Since 2019, there has been no statute of limitations for prosecuting sex crimes in Illinois, so you can report abuse at any time, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Call 911 or your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number to file a report, but consider consulting an attorney before reporting if possible.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
Survivors of juvenile detention sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention facilities like the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the owners and operators of the facility, even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago.
In 2014, Illinois law changed to allow all child sexual abuse lawsuits to be filed at any time if the abuse occurred on or after January 1, 2014. The previous statute of limitations, which allows survivors to file at any time before their 38th birthday, still applies to child sexual abuse claims originating before 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions about Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse in Peoria County, Illinois
Can I File a Lawsuit if the Abuse Occurred Years Ago?
You may be able to file a lawsuit for sexual abuse that occurred at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center even if it occurred years or even decades ago. Illinois has no statute of limitations for these cases originating in 2014 or later, and survivors of earlier abuse have until their 38th birthday or 20 years from discovering the harm the abuse caused to file a lawsuit.
Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible for Sexual Abuse in a Juvenile Detention Center?
Most lawsuits regarding juvenile detention center sexual abuse in Illinois name the State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice as defendants, with some also naming individual corrections officers or administrators.
What Types of Compensation are Available in a Juvenile Detention Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
In a successful juvenile detention sexual abuse lawsuit, survivors may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages and opportunities, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and more.
Compensation can vary depending on numerous factors and is not guaranteed in any case.
What if I Didn’t Report the Abuse When it Happened?
While reports of abuse soon after it occurred can be helpful when filing a juvenile detention sex abuse lawsuit, they are not necessary for a successful case if there is enough additional evidence of the abuse.
Speak With an Experienced Illinois Sexual Abuse Attorney
If you or your minor child experienced sexual abuse while detained at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center or another Illinois juvenile detention facility, Helping Survivors can help. We work to inform survivors and their families of their legal rights and options, connect them to resources for support, and make introductions to our partner law firms.
Our legal partners work with survivors to provide confidential, trauma-informed support and representation by filing civil lawsuits against the individuals and institutions that perpetrated and enabled the abuse.
If you’ve experienced juvenile detention center sexual abuse, contact us today to get connected with an experienced lawyer and learn more about your rights and options.
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