East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Since California law extended the statute of limitations for child sexual assault cases, former inmates of juvenile detention facilities across San Diego County have filed multiple lawsuits alleging rampant sexual abuse by probation officers.
Among the facilities named in the lawsuits is East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, a youth intake and treatment center, with survivors alleging frequent sexual abuse that administrators didn’t try to stop or prevent.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility is among several San Diego County juvenile detention centers named in lawsuits by former inmates alleging sexual abuse by probation officers.
- The allegations against East Mesa and other San Diego County juvenile holding facilities date back to 1970, with some incidents said to occur as recently as 2022. Though most of the juvenile detention facilities named in these lawsuits have since closed, East Mesa remains open today.
- At Helping Survivors, our advocates can connect survivors of childhood sexual abuse at juvenile detention centers with experienced legal professionals to explain their rights and legal options for justice.
What is East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility?
East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility is a short-term intake center managed by the San Diego County Probation Department. It is located at 446 Alta Road, Suite 6100, in San Diego County, California.
The facility houses up to 290 male and female juveniles ages 10 to 19 while they await court hearings or treatment placement decisions. It serves as the primary intake and booking facility for all juvenile offenders in the county.
According to recent lawsuits, East Mesa is one of several San Diego County juvenile detention facilities where systemic failures have led to widespread sexual abuse of juvenile inmates. Survivors accuse the San Diego County Probation Department, which has operational control and authority over all the county’s juvenile detention facilities, of administrative neglect and a general lack of oversight, which have fostered a culture of abuse at the facility.
- What is East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility?
- Overview of Sexual Abuse Allegations at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
- Current Lawsuits Against East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
- Legal Rights and Options for Survivors
- Steps to Take if You Were Abused at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
- Frequently Asked Questions About East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Sex Abuse
- Seeking Justice: Next Steps for Survivors of East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Sex Abuse
Overview of Sexual Abuse Allegations at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
Lawsuits against East Mesa and other San Diego County juvenile detention facilities allege a systemic failure to protect vulnerable youth from sexual misconduct and abuse. In particular, the suits accuse the San Diego County Probation Department of failing to do the following:
- Adequately screen officers when hiring them
- Intervene and prevent abuse
- Properly investigate complaints of abuse
- Discipline officers who commit abuse
In the juvenile justice system, staff members often exploit the power dynamic with inmates. Staff with minimal supervision take advantage of access to and authority over young detainees.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse at East Mesa allege they reported the abuse, which occurred daily or lasted years. The alleged abuse included molestation, sexual assault, and rape. Many victims allege that if they resisted the abuse or reported it, officers threatened to extend their confinement time, beat them, or kill them. Youths who did report the abuse were often ignored, allowing perpetrators to continue it without consequence.
Current Lawsuits AgainstEast Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
In February 2025, over two dozen victims filed a lawsuit against San Diego County, alleging they were sexually assaulted as children and teens while confined in East Mesa and other San Diego County juvenile detention facilities. The victims were as young as 11 years old when probation officers abused them between 1970 and 2022, according to the lawsuits.
Three months later, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that his office had launched a civil rights investigation into conditions at East Mesa and another facility to determine whether the county “engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful treatment of youth.”
Impact on Survivors
Child sexual abuse and molestation come with serious long-term effects, especially when the abuse was perpetrated by an authority figure. Such abuse is known to cause serious harm to a victim’s lifelong mental and emotional health, affecting victims’ relationships, physical health, educational success, and quality of life. However, help is available, and those impacted can lead happy, healthy lives.
Legal Rights and Options for Survivors
Individuals who experienced sexual abuse at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility have legal rights and options for seeking justice through both the criminal and civil legal justice systems.
In California, most felony-level sex offenses do not have a statute of limitations. Therefore, there is no deadline for prosecutors to press charges. Thus, survivors can report these crimes at any time. While reporting to law enforcement will trigger a criminal investigation, prosecutors ultimately decide whether to file criminal charges, which could lead to jail time and other penalties against the perpetrator.
However, the perpetrator of the abuse does not have to be criminally charged or convicted for survivors to file a civil lawsuit. Survivors have more control over a civil lawsuit, which can provide survivors with financial compensation for the harm they endured. In addition to the perpetrators, survivors can also sue the institutions and entities that enabled the abuse through their negligence or other misconduct.
California's Statute of Limitations and Recent Legal Changes
Over the past several years, California has expanded its statute of limitations for child sexual assault multiple times—once in 2019 and again in 2024. Assembly Bill 218, enacted in 2019, updated state law to allow child sexual assault survivors to file lawsuits until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the harm the abuse caused, whichever is later. Before this bill, California only gave victims of childhood sexual abuse until age 26 to file a lawsuit.
Five years later, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 452 into law, eliminating the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault claims arising on or after January 1, 2024. For cases of abuse that occurred before this date, the 40th birthday deadline still applies.
Steps to Take if You Were Abused at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse while detained at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, taking the following steps can help you begin the process of seeking justice:
Gather Evidence
After experiencing harm, collect your medical records, a witness list, and other evidence that may support your claim. During this process, consult a lawyer to understand what evidence is necessary and accessible for your case. However, you should avoid contacting the individual or the institution to gather this evidence at this time, as it could jeopardize the reporting process.
Report the Abuse
Any victim of childhood sexual assault can begin the process of reporting abuse to a local police agency by visiting the police precinct in person. You can bring someone with you and schedule the time to come in in advance by calling the precinct and arranging for the report to be taken by an officer with sexual assault reporting training.
In California, victims of abuse at juvenile detention facilities can also report sexual abuse to the California Board of State and Community Corrections, which oversees all correctional facilities within the state, or the Bureau of Children’s Justice, which protects the rights of children. Remember, an individual cannot press criminal charges—only a state prosecutor can if they believe they have enough evidence to convict someone. However, reporting still creates an important paper trail even if charges are not brought.
Seek Legal Representation for Civil Lawsuit
If you want to explore your rights to file a civil lawsuit against the institution or the individual, contact Helping Survivors today. We can connect you with an attorney experienced in juvenile detention facility sexual abuse cases who can provide a free consultation.
Every law firm we work with takes these cases on contingency, meaning there are no upfront costs to filing a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Sex Abuse
Can I File a Lawsuit if the Abuse Occurred Years Ago?
California’s 2019 statute of limitations update increased the filing deadline for abuse survivors to age 40 or within five years of discovery, whichever is later. Those harmed before the law’s effective date have until their 40th birthday to file suit. Thus, even if your abuse occurred years or even decades ago, you may still be eligible to file a lawsuit.
What Compensation Can Survivors of Abuse at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Expect?
Potential damages in a childhood sexual assault case involving a juvenile detention center may include medical expenses, therapy costs, lost earning capacity, emotional distress, pain, suffering, punitive damages, and more. The exact amount will vary based on the pervasiveness and severity of the harm, along with a wide array of other factors.
Seeking Justice: Next Steps for Survivors of East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Sex Abuse
For survivors of childhood sexual abuse, taking legal action against the institutions that allowed the abuse to occur can be the first step toward healing and accountability.
At Helping Survivors, we work to connect survivors with experienced, compassionate attorneys who specialize in sexual abuse cases. By working with a skilled sexual abuse attorney, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the individuals and institutions that perpetrated and enabled the abuse you endured, allowing you to hold them accountable and recover compensation for your suffering.
To learn more about your rights and options after experiencing abuse, contact us today.
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