Union County Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The Union County Juvenile Detention Center was a New Jersey juvenile detention facility that housed minor criminal offenders from the county while they awaited adjudication and sentencing in the criminal justice system. The center closed in 2019 as a cost-saving measure and because the inmate population had significantly decreased. However, the facility had also faced allegations of physical and sexual abuse of inmates before its closure. Now, abuse survivors are taking legal action against the county for failing to protect them from predatory staff.
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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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
Survivor Advocate
- The Union County Juvenile Detention Center in Linden, New Jersey, closed in 2019 due to population declines and cost-saving measures.
- Before its closure, the Union County facility faced multiple inmate-abuse accusations, and in 2015, a former guard was convicted of inappropriate sexual contact with a 17-year-old inmate.
- If you or a loved one endured sexual abuse while detained at the Union County Juvenile Detention Center, Helping Survivors can help you understand your legal rights and options.
What Was the Union County Juvenile Detention Center?
Located in Linden, New Jersey, the Union County Juvenile Detention Center was a county-run facility for juvenile criminal offenders that closed in 2019 following a sharp population decline. Between 2012 and 2019, the average daily population of juveniles at the facility dropped from 43 to 10. The remaining offenders were transferred to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark, just six miles from the Linden facility.
The Union County Juvenile Detention Center had a history of complaints of both sexual and physical abuse, and the facility had the highest rate of room restrictions of all New Jersey county-run juvenile detention facilities in 2018. Room restriction involves the placement of a juvenile in a locked room or cell for 22 to 24 hours per day. State law prohibits such conditions unless a juvenile poses an immediate and substantial risk of harm to others or the facility. In 2018, the facility had 11 violations of room restriction standards related to age, duration, and frequency of use.
- What Was the Union County Juvenile Detention Center?
- Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Union County Juvenile Detention Center
- Legal Rights and Options for Survivors of Juvenile Detention Abuse in New Jersey
- Reporting Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse in New Jersey
- Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against a Juvenile Facility
- Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Union County Juvenile Detention Center
In 2015, a Union County Juvenile Detention Center guard was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old inmate and sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to a charge of fourth-degree sexual contact. The ex-guard, Sherrie Brown-Braswell, was originally charged with second-degree sexual assault, but took a plea deal for a lesser charge. Besides being put on probation, Brown-Braswell was barred from ever holding a New Jersey public sector job.
The juvenile who accused Brown-Braswell of abuse eventually filed a lawsuit against Union County, alleging that the abuse occurred over a nine-month period in 2012, beginning shortly after his admission to the detention center. The juvenile said that when he resisted the guard’s advances, she threatened him with beatings, and that other guards knew about the assaults and allowed them to continue.
While this is the most public case, we believe there could be more individuals who experienced sexual and physical abuse at the Union County Juvenile Detention Center.
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.
Legal Rights and Options for Survivors of Juvenile Detention Abuse in New Jersey
Union County Juvenile Detention Center abuse survivors have the legal right to pursue justice and compensation for their endured trauma, as well as reimbursement for medical costs and other damages. Under New Jersey’s legal system, abuse survivors have multiple legal options for seeking justice, including reporting the abuse to law enforcement or filing a civil lawsuit—even if the abuse occurred years or even decades ago.
The state imposes time limits for these options. Under New Jersey’s recently expanded statutes of limitations, civil childhood sexual abuse lawsuits must be filed by the victim’s 55th birthday. Adult sexual assault lawsuits must be filed within seven years of the act. For criminal cases, New Jersey has not had a deadline for most sexual offenses since 1996.
Reporting Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse in New Jersey
For childhood sexual abuse survivors, reporting the abuse can seem daunting, but it’s an important step to begin the process of filing a civil sexual abuse lawsuit or starting a criminal investigation. In New Jersey, you can report child abuse to several places, including any law enforcement office, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency’s Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit, and the Attorney General.
The Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit investigates allegations of abuse in detention centers and other out-of-home settings. The state hotline for child abuse reports is 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (1-877-652-2873), and you can use this hotline even if you are still incarcerated. You can also report abuse at New Jersey-run facilities by filing a complaint with the Juvenile Justice Commission’s Office of Investigations, a division of the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.
If you are thinking about reporting, we highly recommend contacting an experienced sexual abuse lawyer, who can help ensure your rights are protected throughout the process. Reach out to Helping Survivors to learn more.
Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against a Juvenile Facility
If you or a loved one endured sexual abuse while confined at the Union County Juvenile Detention Center as a minor, you have legal rights and options.. At Helping Survivors, we work to inform survivors of their options, connect them with resources and educational content, and make introductions to partner law firms who can file civil suits on their behalf. Filing a lawsuit against the individuals, institutions, and organizations who perpetrated and enabled your abuse can provide closure, and monetary damages for survivors.
Every survivor’s experience is unique, and what they choose to do afterward is ultimately their choice. If you decide to take legal action against Union County for failing to protect you as a child, an experienced sexual abuse attorney can provide emotional support and legal advocacy throughout the process.
To learn more about your options contact Helping Survivors today.
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