Maryland Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse: How to File & FAQs
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
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Thousands of individuals have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse in Maryland’s juvenile detention centers. This surge in claims follows the enactment of the Child Victims Act in 2023, which eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases.
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Individuals who experienced sexual or physical abuse while held in Maryland’s juvenile detention centers may be eligible to take legal action. This can include filing civil lawsuits against the institution, staff, or state agency involved.
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The Helping Survivors offers resources, legal guidance, and emotional support for those impacted by abuse in youth facilities.
Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: An Overview
Juvenile detention centers are facilities where youths under 18 are held while awaiting trial for criminal offenses or after being convicted. These centers are also known as youth detention centers, juvenile jails, or juvenile halls.
Research indicates that youths detained at juvenile detention centers across the United States have high rates of sexual victimization—often surpassing those of adult prisons and jails.
Many young people incarcerated at juvenile detention centers have already endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Unfortunately, instead of receiving the support they need to reform their lives and move forward, they often encounter additional harm and trauma at these facilities.
After the Child Victims Act went into effect, over a dozen complaints by more than 200 plaintiffs were filed against the DJS alleging rampant child sexual abuse at 15 juvenile detention facilities between 1969 and 2017.
If you or someone you know experienced physical or sexual abuse while at a Maryland juvenile detention center, you have legal rights and options, including eligibility to file a civil lawsuit.
While you may never have considered your rights and options, Helping Survivors provides this resource to help you understand them. If you have questions or want to learn more about filing a lawsuit, contact us today. We can answer any questions and connect you with an experienced attorney for a free case evaluation today.
- Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: An Overview
- Examples of Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse & How to Get Help Today
- Rights and Options for Individuals Impacted by Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse
- List of Juvenile Detention Centers in Maryland
- Current Lawsuits Against Maryland Juvenile Detention Facilities
- How Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawyers Can Help
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
Examples of Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse
The ongoing physical and sexual abuse allegations within Maryland detention centers are alarming. While the media has started highlighting the problem, abuse has been a known issue for decades. However, government officials and oversight agencies have done little to combat the widespread abuse or prevent future harm.
Documented instances of physical and sexual abuse in Maryland youth detention centers include the following behavior:
- Sexual assault
- Rape
- Use of excessive force
- Strangulation
- Holding individuals in stressful positions for extended periods
- Inappropriate, unnecessary, and excessive strip searches
- Exposure to pornographic material
- Indecent exposure and voyeurism
- Requests or force to produce pornographic material, including explicit photos and videos
- Solicitation of sexual acts in exchange for drugs, money, or food
- Use of coercion or threats
- Failure to investigate reports of sexual or physical abuse once reported
- Retaliation against individuals who report sexual abuse
A majority of abuse within these facilities is perpetrated by staff members, including correctional officers, guards, police officers, or others. However, fellow inmates also commit some of the abuse.
Many abuse survivors find it difficult to fully label the harm. For instance, they might have thought they consented to the acts at the time. However, minors do not have the legal capacity to consent to sexual activity. Furthermore, the law acknowledges the authority and control guards and staff have over those incarcerated. Thus, incarcerated individuals cannot legally consent to sexual acts.
If you have experienced any form of physical or sexual abuse while detained at a Maryland juvenile detention center, you have legal rights and options.
Helping Survivors works with survivors of all forms of sexual abuse and trauma. We are here to support them no matter how they choose to proceed. If you have experienced sexual or physical abuse and want to learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us.
We are here to listen and advocate for you.
Rights and Options for Individuals Impacted by Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse
You have the right to report the abuse to the state board, speak to the media, and notify law enforcement. You may also be eligible to file a civil lawsuit and seek monetary compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Maryland has no criminal statute of limitations for a majority of sex crimes.
Additionally, Maryland has been a leader in advancing legislation that significantly expands the rights of sexual abuse survivors in civil court, particularly those who experienced abuse as children.
The Child Victims Act of 2023 allows survivors who were sexually abused as minors in Maryland to pursue justice against their abusers and any institutions that failed to protect them, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. The Act eliminated the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse, as well as creating an unlimited lookback period so that survivors can file lawsuits for abuse that occurred at any time in the past, even if their claim would have been time-barred by the state’s previous statute of limitations.
Since the Act went into place, juvenile detention systems with histories of child sexual abuse are seeing a growing number of claims brought by survivors who were abused years or even decades ago.
While Maryland has been a leader in legislating for survivors of sexual abuse, these laws are still complex. Therefore, we recommend speaking to an experienced professional as soon as possible so they can help you understand your rights and options.
If you have questions about these options or want to speak with an experienced juvenile detention center abuse lawyer, contact us today.
File a Civil Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawsuit
If you have experienced physical or sexual abuse at a Maryland juvenile detention center, you may be eligible to file a minor sexual abuse lawsuit or participate in an existing one against the state, the facility, and the perpetrator.
A civil lawsuit enables you to seek monetary damages to compensate for the harm you’ve experienced. Additionally, it can establish a public record documenting the abuse to let other survivors know they are not alone and encourage them to come forward.
Civil lawsuits are different from criminal proceedings, meaning you may still be able to file a detention center abuse lawsuit even if the perpetrator is deceased or the perpetrator was never charged or convicted of a crime.
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a corrections officer, guard, medical professional, or other staff member.
- The abuse took place at a Maryland juvenile detention facility.
Civil sex abuse lawsuits can not only provide accountability and a sense of justice, but they also allow impacted individuals to seek financial compensation for their losses. You might be able to recover the following damages:
- Past and future medical and mental health expenses, including therapy and medications
- Emotional distress and psychological harm
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and income
- Lost earning capacity
- Other economic and non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
An experienced and reputable lawyer will 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 a lawsuit, and they only get paid if and when they recover compensation for you.
We can connect you with an experienced attorney to help evaluate your ability to file a claim today.
We are here to listen and advocate for you.
Report Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse to the State Oversight Agencies
Surviviors have the right to report abuse to the Maryland Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Unfortunately, Maryland has not developed an easy way to submit a report to these organizations, such as a tip line or an online form.
Please note: We strongly recommend consulting an experienced juvenile detention center abuse lawyer before contacting any official agency. A lawyer can safeguard your rights throughout the reporting process. Helping Survivors can connect you with a qualified attorney today.
Report to Law Enforcement
You can also file a report with law enforcement, which will trigger a criminal investigation and could result in criminal charges against the perpetrator. You must file this report with your local police department. The ability to prosecute will depend on factors like the availability of evidence. Note that a private individual cannot press charges against someone—a prosecutor will ultimately decide whether to file charges.
Filing a report creates an important paper trail documenting the harm. This can help bolster a civil claim if you decide to bring one. It can also encourage other survivors to come forward.
Reporting abuse to the authorities can be daunting for survivors of juvenile detention center abuse. If the individual is still incarcerated in the facility, they may fear retaliation and feel unsafe reporting the abuse themselves. A trusted adult can assist in navigating the reporting process. We also strongly recommend consulting an experienced attorney who can help prevent retaliatory abuse while seeking assistance.
Maryland’s criminal statute of limitations is favorable to survivors. All felony sex crimes have no statute of limitations. Thus, you can report the abuse at any time, and the state can criminally prosecute the perpetrator no matter how long ago the offense occurred.
The ability to prosecute will depend on factors like the availability of evidence. While an individual cannot press charges against someone, filing a report also creates an important paper trail to document the harm.
What Damages Can I Recover?
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages. The amount and type of damages you can recover will depend on the nature, severity, and duration of the abuse you endured, the impacts on your life, the perpetrator’s role in the organization, and whether the institution at issue was negligent and failed to stop the abuse. These damages may include the following:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income and economic opportunities
- Other economic and non-economic damages
Current Lawsuits Against Maryland Juvenile Detention Facilities
[March 2025 Update]
According to a 2010 report by the U.S. Department of Justice, juvenile detention facilities in Maryland have the highest rate of sexual abuse in the country and have continually failed to protect young inmates. In particular, the report found that Backbone Mountain Youth Center in Swanton had the highest rate of abuse in the country, and more than a third of youths reported they had been sexually victimized in custody.
Numerous victims have claimed they were abused by correctional officers, nurses, teachers, counselors, and other inmates at the facilities. Some survivors who filed sexual assault lawsuits said their abusers offered protection, extra food, phone calls, and other rewards for sexual favors, while others said they received threats of violence, solitary confinement, or longer sentences for not complying with the abuse. Many allege they reported the abuse to the facilities, but officials ignored them.
Lawsuit Updates
March 27th 2025 - Delegate C.T. Wilson Defends New Bill Amending Child Victims Act Amid Budget Crisis and Legal Concerns
Delegate C.T. Wilson defended his new bill aimed at amending the Child Victims Act, which previously removed the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse lawsuits. Introduced amid Maryland’s $3 billion budget crisis, the bill seeks to cap damages for abuse claims at $400,000, mandate that survivors use an alternative dispute resolution program (arbitration) instead of going to court, and require arbitration for both current and future claims.
Delegate Wilson, representing District 28 in the Maryland House of Delegates, was behind the original Maryland Child Victims Act, which he introduced in 2023. The new bill, however, reflects Wilson’s attempt to address concerns over the state’s financial liability while continuing to support survivors.
Wilson emphasized that the bill was not about financial gain but about protecting the state from potential large liabilities. However, critics raised concerns about the fairness of limiting damages against the state while private institutions still face higher caps. They also questioned the constitutional validity and transparency of the arbitration process. Some lawmakers expressed concerns that the changes could disproportionately harm people of color and create an unequal system. Despite this opposition, Wilson defended the bill as a necessary step to manage the state’s financial risks, noting the legislative session’s impending end and the need for the bill to pass through both chambers before the deadline.
March 2025 - Lawsuits Against Baltimore County Youth Detention Center Filed
69 men have filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), alleging sexual abuse by a former employee at a Baltimore County youth detention center. This legal action is part of a broader trend following Maryland’s enactment of the Child Victims Act (CVA) in October 2023, which removed the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits.
The lawsuit highlights systemic issues within Maryland’s juvenile detention centers, which have faced scrutiny for failing to protect youth from sexual abuse. Facilities such as the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School and the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center have been implicated in these allegations.
February 2025 - Surpreme court Upholds Child Victims Act of 2023
The Maryland Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Child Victims Act of 2023, which eliminates the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits.
The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 helps survivors of juvenile detention center sexual abuse by removing the statute of limitations for filing civil lawsuits. This means that survivors can seek justice and financial compensation for the abuse they suffered, regardless of when it occurred. Maryland is currently facing over 4,000 sexual assault claims.
January 2025 - Maryland Chooses Firm For Settlement Resolution in Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Maryland has made a pivotal move to address the sex abuse lawsuits involving its state-run juvenile detention centers by selecting Saul Ewing LLP as settlement resolution counsel. The firm will lead the creation of a settlement matrix, a structured system for determining compensation based on factors like the severity, duration, and impact of the abuse.
February 2024 - Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed
October 2023 - Child Victims Act Goes into Effect
List of Juvenile Detention Centers in Maryland
There are eight currently operational juvenile detention facilities in Maryland. Meanwhile, six others have closed. The following are the currently open and closed juvenile detention facilities in Maryland:
- Backbone Mountain Youth Center
- Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center
- Charles H. Hickey Jr. School & Structured Shelter Care Program
- Cheltenham Youth Detention Center
- Green Ridge Youth Center
- Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center
- Western Maryland Children’s Center
- Victor Cullen Center
- Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center (closed)
- Garrett Children’s Center (closed)
- Maryland Training School for Boys (closed)
- Mountain View (closed)
- Montrose School (closed)
- Maple Run Youth Center (closed)
- Thomas J.S. Waxter Children’s Center (closed)
Even if the facility where you experienced abuse has since closed, you still have rights and options for seeking justice and healing, including eligibility to file a civil lawsuit to pursue monetary compensation for your harm.
If you or someone you know experienced abuse at any of these facilities, get in touch with us as soon as possible to explore your rights and options.
How Maryland Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawyers Can Help
If you have suffered harm from physical or sexual assault, abuse, or harassment while in a Maryland juvenile detention center, you may be entitled to pursue legal action by filing a civil lawsuit against the facility. A civil lawsuit can help you secure compensation to cover the resources you need to recover from the harm.
An experienced lawyer can also explain your other rights and options, from filing a police report to reporting to the state board.
An experienced juvenile detention center abuse lawyer can do the following:
- Investigate and collect evidence of the abuse at the facility.
- Prepare and submit a report to oversight authorities, including the Maryland Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
- Report the incident to law enforcement if it hasn’t already been done.
- Initiate a sexual abuse lawsuit on your behalf.
- Handle all communications with the involved parties, their legal representatives, and the courts.
- Conduct the discovery process, including depositions if necessary.
- Negotiate with the opposition to secure 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 the law permits.
- Advocate for your best interests throughout the case.
Finding a reliable and experienced attorney can be daunting, especially after experiencing abuse within the confines of the legal system. At Helping Survivors, we work with a network of skilled law firms across the country that specialize in supporting survivors of all types of sexual abuse, including those who experience juvenile detention center abuse.
Every law firm we work with has trauma-informed professionals who will fiercely advocate for you. They also offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront fees, and they only get paid if and when they win.
We’re here to help you understand your rights and options and take the next best step for you.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
