New Jersey Training School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The New Jersey Training School in Monroe Township is the state’s oldest and largest juvenile detention facility. Originally intended to rehabilitate young offenders, the school has now become the focal point of dozens of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of residents. Survivors have come forward with disturbing accounts of sexual abuse, physical violence, and emotional trauma at the hands of those entrusted with their care.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at the New Jersey Training School, Helping Survivors is here to help you understand your legal rights and options for seeking justice.
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- The New Jersey Training School, a juvenile detention facility in Middlesex County, New Jersey, is facing at least 150 lawsuits from individuals who allege they faced sexual abuse by staff in the facility as children.
- Survivors of sexual abuse in schools and juvenile detention centers have the right to take legal action against the perpetrators and enablers of their abuse.
- If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center in New Jersey, Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced law firm to help you understand your legal rights and option.
About The New Jersey Training School
Located in Monroe Township, the New Jersey Training School opened in 1867, making it the longest-standing youth detention facility in the state. Run by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission, the facility has become a symbol of systemic neglect and abuse in the state’s juvenile justice system. While New Jersey announced plans to close the facility in 2018, it remains open as officials continue to seek other sites to house juveniles in custody.
Facility Background
- Opened: 1867
- Capacity: 200 juveniles
- Location: Monroe Township, Middlesex County, NJ
- Operated by: New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
- Purpose: Housing male juveniles in state custody, typically aged 16-18
- Other names: Skillman, Jamesburg
- About The New Jersey Training School
- History of Sexual Abuse at the New Jersey Training School
- Developments in New Jersey Training School Sexual Abuse Claims
- Legal Options for New Jersey Juvenile Detention Sexual Abuse Survivors
- How to Report Sexual Abuse Within the New Jersey Training School
- What is the Time Limit to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in New Jersey?
- Helping Survivors Can Offer Support and Legal Assistance
- Speak Confidentially With a Sexual Abuse Survivor Advocate Today
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
History of Sexual Abuse at the New Jersey Training School
Over time, hundreds of survivors have come forward and shared painful stories of childhood sexual abuse by correctional officers, counselors, teachers, and other staff during their time at the New Jersey Training School, showcasing a systemic failure by the state to prevent abuse. These survivors have reported long-term psychological trauma, depression, PTSD and more adverse health effects stemming from their experiences at the training school, which included:
- Coerced sexual acts and inappropriate touching by staff
- Threats or physical violence used to silence victims
- Negligence by administrators who failed to act on reports of abuse
- Isolation or retaliation against those who spoke out
Have You Been Abused at a Juvenile Detention Center?
If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse while in a juvenile detention center, you have the right to seek justice. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to provide you with the legal support and guidance you deserve.
Developments in New Jersey Training School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Following the 2019 passage of New Jersey’s Child Sexual Abuse Act, survivors of sexual violence have begun to step forward and file legal claims against the state and former staff members. The act enabled survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits until their 55th birthday, or within seven years of discovering the harm the abuse caused.
Key Legal Developments
Sexual abuse lawsuits involving the New Jersey Training School don’t just seek to hold individual perpetrators accountable–they aim to hold the state responsible for systemic failures in oversight and protection. Some of the major legal actions against the Training School and other New Jersey-operated juvenile detention facilities include the following.
- January 2024: 50 men who lived at the New Jersey Training School as children filed a lawsuit alleging a culture of abuse that allowed staff to abuse residents for decades. The alleged abuse occurred from the early 1970s through the 2010s.
- March 2025: 108 plaintiffs in sexual abuse lawsuits against a number of New Jersey juvenile detention facilities have asked the court to consolidate the cases as multicounty litigation in Middlesex County. The plaintiffs, whose cases are currently pending in New Jersey Superior Courts across three counties, allege they were sexually abused while confined as children in New Jersey state juvenile detention facilities, including the New Jersey Training School. 95 of the 108 plaintiffs have filed their cases in Middlesex County, where the Training School is located.
Legal Options for New Jersey Juvenile Detention Sexual Abuse Survivors
Depending on the circumstances of their case, survivors of sexual abuse at juvenile detention centers may have multiple legal options. Civil lawsuits offer both financial recovery and a sense of justice, while also allowing survivors to expose systemic abuse and protect future generations from institutional harm. Other potential legal options for abuse survivors include:
- File a civil lawsuit against the state or former staff for damages
- Join a class-action or mass tort case involving other Jamesburg survivors
- Seek compensation through victim support funds in New Jersey.
- Report the harm to law enforcement.
How to Report Sexual Abuse Within the New Jersey Training School
If you or a loved one was abused while residing at the New Jersey Training School as a child, you are not alone. Though not required for a civil lawsuit, reporting the abuse is often a good first step toward justice, as it creates a legal record of the accusation.
New Jersey Resources for Reporting Sexual Abuse
You can report juvenile detention center abuse in New Jersey to multiple sources, depending on the circumstances. Prior to reporting to any of these agencies, we highly recommend speaking with an experienced juvenile detention center abuse lawyer, who can help ensure your rights are protected throughout the reporting process:
- New Jersey Attorney General’s Office
The AG’s office has oversight over systemic abuse cases in state-run institutions. Survivors can submit a report directly to the Civil Rights Division. - New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
Administrative complaints against the New Jersey Training School or its staff can be filed through the state’s Juvenile Justice Commission. - New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency
Child Protection and Permanency is New Jersey’s child protection and child welfare agency within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. The Child Abuse Hotline receives reports of child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. - Law Enforcement
Abuse may also be reported to local police or the New Jersey State Police, especially if there is interest in pursuing a criminal investigation. - Civil Attorneys & Survivor Advocates
Many survivors choose to speak with an attorney before reporting abuse to ensure their rights are protected. At Helping Survivors, we can connect you with a trauma-informed legal advocate for a confidential consultation.
What is the Time Limit to File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in New Jersey?
With New Jersey’s expanded statute of limitations, survivors of child sexual abuse now have more time to file child sexual abuse lawsuits. Survivors can file a civil lawsuit until age 55 or within 7 years of discovering the harm caused by the abuse. Even if the abuse you experienced occurred decades ago, you may still be eligible to take legal action.
Helping Survivors Is Here To Help
Helping Survivors is here to help those impacted understand their legal rights and options. We can connect you with resources and assist with:
- Setting up confidential consultations with experienced legal professionals
- Helping you understand your rights under New Jersey law
- Connecting you to trauma-informed counseling and resources
- Guiding you on the process of filing a civil claim or joining group lawsuits
We partner with attorneys specializing in institutional abuse litigation, ensuring you have advocates who understand the legal complexities and emotional weight of your experience.
Get Help Today
Speaking out after experiencing sexual abuse is never easy, but it can have a powerful impact. Whether you’re ready to pursue legal action or simply want to learn more about your legal options, Helping Survivors is here to help. If you were sexually abused at the New Jersey Training School, you deserve to be heard, supported, and empowered, and Helping Survivors is here to listen and connect you with the resources you need. Get legal help here today.
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