Minors incarcerated in juvenile detention under the California Youth Authority (CYA) or the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) are among the most vulnerable members of our society. Facility guards, counselors, and staff members have control over every aspect of their lives, and this control has given rise to rampant sexual abuse in the juvenile detention system. The extent of this sexual abuse epidemic is difficult to assess, but it has become clear in recent years that thousands of people have been assaulted or abused.
California is taking action to curb the impact of these cruel government entities, closing the DJJ in 2023 and opening new pathways for survivors to pursue legal action many years after the fact. This has brought to light countless instances of juvenile sexual abuse spanning decades. These crimes have devastating long-term impacts on survivors, causing extensive trauma and severe damage to their quality of life. Experiencing incarceration at a young age is an extremely impactful experience that causes fundamental changes to how youth develop – when this experience includes rampant and extensive sexual abuse, survivors face an intolerable yet all-too-common reality.
It is imperative that the closure of the CYA/DJJ does not stop the movement to bring justice to survivors of each of their individual crimes. If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at one of these facilities, our sexual abuse attorneys are determined to help you seek justice. We understand that pursuing legal action can come with a unique set of challenges for survivors. No two survivor’s cases are alike – our team has worked on dozens of cases like these and brings an empathetic approach to the search for justice. Contact us today to learn more about taking the courageous first step toward holding these abusers accountable.
What CYA facilities can be held responsible for sexual assault?
Wherever sexual assault and abuse occurred, the perpetrator, the facility, the state, and any responsible parties can and must be held responsible. Our attorneys have pursued cases following assault at several CYA facilities including, but not limited to:
- CYA Ventura
- CYA Preston
- CYA O.H. Close
- CYA Karl Holton
- CYA Pine Grove
- Los Angeles County Fire Camps
These facilities represent only a handful of the facilities where these crimes occurred. The abhorrent activities of the guards and staff members at these facilities were an open secret. A web of willful negligence enabled the rampant abuse at these facilities, and every member of the web is legally liable.
The survivors of the abuse at these facilities were often carefully picked by guards who used their access to the personal records of these minors to hand-select the most vulnerable among them. In many cases, they were extorted with promises of increased privileges or threats of extended sentences. There have been numerous accounts of CYA administrators coercing these minors into abortions after they were impregnated during their assault – scheduling them off site procedures. These revolting actions cause inconceivable harm to these survivors – each survivor deserves justice.
Even if many years have passed since your assault, you can still make the brave choice to take legal action. Contact us today to learn about your options.
What does the process of seeking justice for sexual assault in a CYA/DJJ facility entail?
It is crucial to emphasize that our sexual abuse attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. We work this way to help bring justice to everyone who suffered abuse at CYA/DJJ facilities regardless of their financial resources – access to justice should not be limited by your finances. This work is meaningful to our sexual abuse attorneys, and we take pride in the fact that we have successfully brought justice to numerous survivors of these crimes.
What is the statue of limitations for bringing a sexual abuse claim against a CYA Facility?
Recent changes to California statutes of limitations allow survivors of sexual abuse as a minor until their 40th birthday or until 5 years after they should have reasonably discovered the abuse to pursue legal action, whichever comes last. Survivors of sexual abuse who were over 18 when the abuse occurred have 10 years after the incident to pursue legal action. These survivors who were over 18 when their abuse occurred may be eligible to file a claim under the current California lookback window, however, as it allows an exception to this 10-year limitation for any abuse that occurred after January 1st, 2009. This lookback window expires on December 31st, 2026.
For many survivors, these extended statutes of limitations open a door that was previously closed. These changes acknowledge the reality that taking legal action after an instance of sexual assault is often the last step for survivors and can only happen following an extensive healing process. If you want to learn more about bringing a claim, contact us today.
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How will you prove my case?
In the process of building your case, our sexual abuse attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation. This will include accessing prison records, taking your testimony, seeking witnesses, and determining who is legally liable for the assault. Even if you do not have extensive evidence to provide, our sexual abuse attorneys have extensive experience investigating cases like these and are nearly always able to find sufficient evidence to prove your case. Every legal action is unique and our team will work with you to find the legal approach that best suits your needs.
The reality is that the process of seeking justice comes with challenges for survivors. Investigations can be emotionally painful, but the relief and financial compensation that justice can bring can provide enormous relief and closure. Our sexual assault attorneys are proud to have brought justice to numerous brave individuals, and we want to help as many survivors as possible. Contact us today to learn more about this process and your options.
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