Walter P. Carter Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Years of court filings and documentation have shown that juveniles in mental health, addiction recovery, and correctional facilities across the nation have been subject to various forms of sexual abuse. State-operated facilities, such as the Walter P. Carter Center in Baltimore, must take steps to prevent counselors, mental health care workers, and other staff from using their positions of authority and trust to abuse vulnerable patients, but too many have failed to do so.
If you or a loved one was a patient at the Walter P. Carter Center and suffered sexual abuse while at the facility, you have the right to pursue justice and compensation. Find out how working with a sexual abuse attorney through Helping Survivors may help you get the compensation you deserve.
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What Is the Walter P. Carter Center?
The Walter P. Carter Center is a mental health facility located at 701 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, owned and operated by the State of Maryland as part of the University of Maryland Medical System. It includes clinics like the Fayette Clinic and Carruthers Clinic, which offer comprehensive mental health treatment to Baltimore City residents.
The center was founded in 1976 as an inpatient and outpatient psychiatric hospital, offering services to both adults and adolescents. It’s unclear if Walter P. Carter Center abuse happened in the past, but it’s entirely possible. The facility has shifted its focus and the services it offers over the years.
Currently, the Carter Center offers outpatient mental health and addiction care to individuals of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. Its range of services includes individual, group, and family therapies; medication management; case management; and specialized treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
The Center offers a Secure Starts program for children up to 5 years of age who are at risk of experiencing behavioral, emotional, and social challenges, with treatment for issues such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, and bereavement. It also diagnoses and treats children ages 5 to 18 for behavioral and mental health issues and evaluates more than 11,000 patients annually for issues such as mood disorders, trauma disorders, and ADHD.
History of Abuse Allegations at Walter P. Carter Center
While there haven’t been any widely reported lawsuits naming the Walter P. Carter Center as defendants, the facility has been mentioned in legal cases involving extended incarceration and probation violations.
The center has also been involved in programs addressing trauma and recovery, such as the Tamar’s Children program, which served incarcerated mothers dealing with trauma and addiction.
Because there are ongoing issues related to abuse allegations in Maryland’s juvenile and mental health facilities, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and ensure that all institutions uphold the highest standards of care and safety. If you were the victim of abuse at Walter P. Carter Center, a lawyer can advise you of your rights.
Current Lawsuits Against Walter P. Carter Center
As of April 2025, there are no active lawsuits specifically filed against the Walter P. Carter Center. However, Maryland has seen a surge in lawsuits related to sexual abuse in juvenile and mental health facilities, highlighting disturbing issues that involve multiple institutions and affect many former patients or inmates.
Childhood sexual abuse can lead to a specific type of deep trauma that may not emerge for many years. Survivors may not realize they were victimized until years later, or may not be ready to emotionally handle the harm they suffered.
According to a recent report, thousands of people are suing Maryland institutions such as schools and state agencies under the 2023 Child Victims Act. Survivors of sexual assault and abuse can seek damages of up to $890,000 for each occurrence of abuse at a public institution. The cap on damages is even higher, $1.5 million, for cases involving private institutions.
Because there are so many claims, the Maryland legislature may address additional caps on damages or clarify how abuse claims are defined. If you’ve been impacted by sexual abuse in Maryland, it’s critical that you are aware of your rights and take action quickly to exercise them.
Rights and Options for Individuals Impacted by Abuse at Walter P. Carter Center
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse at Walter P. Carter Center in Baltimore, know that you don’t have to face this alone. You have legal rights, and there are professionals who will help you exercise them. It may be possible to seek justice through both the criminal and civil justice systems.
Report to Law Enforcement
One of the first things victims can do to hold perpetrators accountable is to report the sexual assault to law enforcement. You can call or visit your local law enforcement agency to make your report, and most police departments have someone on staff who is trained in handling these types of cases. This creates an official record of the abuse and may prompt the authorities to press charges.
File a Lawsuit Against Walter P. Carter Center
In 2023, Maryland passed a new law that empowers victims of sexual abuse. The Child Victims Act eliminates the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse, allowing survivors to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred. It also creates an unlimited lookback period, allowing child sex abuse survivors whose claims were previously barred by the statute of limitations to now file a lawsuit in Maryland.
While pursuing justice through a legal case might sound overwhelming, assistance is available for every step. An experienced and compassionate attorney can help you go through this complex process, understand your options, and navigate your case to a successful resolution. A lawyer will also know how to protect your privacy while filing a Walter P. Carter Center abuse lawsuit.
How a Sex Abuse Attorney Can Help
As a survivor of sexual assault or abuse, it’s vital to fully understand your legal rights and options for pursuing justice, even if you haven’t yet decided on your next steps. Every survivor’s experience is unique, and what you choose to do moving forward is a personal choice. After experiencing physical and emotional harm, there are no right or wrong answers, but knowledge about all of your options is crucial to make an informed decision.
At Helping Survivors, we are dedicated to supporting those affected by institutional sexual abuse and empowering them to take action when they desire to pursue justice. We provide educational resources and can connect you with an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in handling these difficult cases. We have helped more than 1,200 sexual assault survivors since 2023, and we only want the best outcomes for our clients.
Legal professionals can assist you in filing a civil suit for compensation, from navigating the complexities of the legal system and gathering evidence to support your case to advocating for your rights and well-being. Skilled investigators know how to locate and secure evidence from the past, interview witnesses, and review pertinent medical records to build a strong case.
Our network offers free consultations and operates on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
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