New York Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuits

On this page, we will look at New York juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits. Filing a New York juvenile sex abuse lawsuit can help victims obtain financial compensation for therapy, medical expenses, and other damages resulting from the abuse.

If you have a potential New York juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuit, call us today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

About New York Juvenile Detention Centers

Juvenile detention centers in New York are under the oversight and control of the New York Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) Bureau of Juvenile Detention Services. OCFS operates 8 “secure” juvenile detention centers throughout the state. 2 are located in New York City and the other 6 are spread out across the state. Each facility is operated by the local county (or New York City) government under the oversight of OCFS.

Below is a list of the secure juvenile detention centers in New York:

• Horizon Secure Detention Facility / Horizon Specialized Secure Detention Facility – New York City (Bronx)
• Crossroads Secure Juvenile Center – New York City (Brooklyn)
• Capital District Secure Juvenile Detention Center – Albany
• Erie County Secure Detention – Buffalo
• Monroe County Children’s Center – Rush
• Nassau Juvenile Detention – Westbury
• Hillbrook Juvenile Detention – Syracuse
• Woodfield Juvenile Detention – Valhalla

Sexual Abuse at New York Juvenile Detention Centers

OCFS is the state agency with primary responsibility and operational control over the state juvenile detention centers. Local counties also operate their own front end juvenile facilities for offenders who have not been adjudicated or sentenced. Once juveniles are sentenced to detention they are assigned to one of the longer-term facilities operated by OCFS.

Like most states, New York’s juvenile detention facilities have a long and problematic history of sexual abuse and mistreatment of juvenile detainees. These problems have been well documented over the years as facilities in New York and across the country have been the focus of investigations and extensive civil litigation/

The facts uncovered during these various investigations showed that juvenile detention facilities in New York were grossly negligent in allowing the regular sexual and physical abuse of inmates to occur with little or no oversight. The responsible parties, which include the OCFS, local probation departments, and the state (as well as private contractors at some individual facilities) allowed staff-on-inmate violence and sexual abuse to occur over many years.

Juvenile detention centers in New York (and across the country) have faced a troubling history of physical and sexual abuse. A series of recent investigations and high-profile lawsuits has shed light on this sad reality.

For decades, a culture of abuse has persisted within Washington’s juvenile facilities at both the state and county level. Despite being aware of these pervasive problems, OCFS along with other state authorities failed to take meaningful action to address the conditions. Victims often endured abuse under circumstances involving force, coercion, undue influence, duress, intimidation, and threats of physical harm or retaliation.

Civil Lawsuits for Sex Abuse of Juvenile Inmates in New York

OCFS, along with local counties and New York City, have a legal duty to take reasonable measures to ensure that juvenile inmates in their custody are kept safe from sexual abuse and assaults. This includes not just sexual assault by staff, but also by other inmates. There is a wealth of evidence showing that OCFS and other officials were negligent with respect to this duty. That means that anyone who was the victim of sexual assault or abuse at a juvenile detention facility in New York can bring a civil lawsuit and get financial compensation.

OCFS and the state failed in this fundamental obligation. Despite previous reports of abuse, state authorities and their employees did not take adequate action to prevent further harm. This negligence included poor supervision of staff, insufficient policies, inadequate employee training, and a failure to implement effective safety measures. Lawsuits also highlight systemic failures in responding to abuse reports, allowing continued victimization to occur.

As a result, these children have endured profound physical, emotional, and psychological harm, including pain, distress, loss of self-esteem, and other lasting effects of abuse. Lawsuits against Washington detention centers seek to obtain compensation for these damages and hold the state accountable for failing to protect vulnerable minors in its care.

Deadline for Filing a New York Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Lawsuit

New York has very survivor-friendly statute of limitations laws for civil sexual abuse lawsuits. For cases involving childhood sexual abuse (occurring before the victim turned 18), state law permits survivors to file a civil lawsuit anytime before their 55th birthday.

For those who were adults (18 or older) at the time of the abuse, New York recently enacted the Adult Survivors Act (ASA). This law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for adult sexual abuse claims, granting survivors a one-year window to file lawsuits. However, this window closed on November 23, 2023.

What Qualifies as Sexual Abuse?

Sexual assault or abuse is defined as intentional sexual touching or contact without the other person’s consent and for the purpose of sexual gratification, arousal, or humiliation. In the context of a civil lawsuit, sexual abuse or assault is often referred to as sexual battery, and it can range from groping a breast to rape.

There are two key components that must be present to meet the definition of sexual abuse in New York. First, the sexual touching must be done intentionally. If one inadvertently grabs a student’s breast vagina in a crowded elevator or to catch them from falling, there is no intent, and it does not qualify as sexual abuse.

The second element is the lack of consent. For intentional sexual touching to qualify as abuse or assault, it must be done without mutual consent. Under New York law, minors under the age of 18 cannot give consent to sexual touching. Any sexual contact with a minor by an adult is automatically considered sexual battery.

Settlement Value of New York Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Settlement amounts for juvenile detention sexual abuse lawsuits are often substantial, with serious cases reaching into the millions. These high payouts reflect the profound and lasting impact of the abuse, the failures of responsible institutions, and the significant costs associated with victims’ recovery and long-term care. In New York, many cases involve systemic negligence or misconduct within juvenile detention centers, making sizable settlements likely, particularly from well-funded third parties responsible for these failures.

Several key factors influence settlement amounts in these cases:

1. Severity and Duration of Abuse

The extent and length of the abuse are the most critical factors in determining settlement compensation. Cases involving prolonged abuse or extreme violence tend to result in higher payouts, as juries recognize the profound physical and emotional toll on victims.

2. Impact on the Victim

The long-term psychological and emotional effects of the abuse—such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression—play a crucial role in assessing damages. In New York juvenile detention abuse cases, expert testimony from psychologists and therapists is often used to demonstrate the lasting impact, strengthening the case for significant compensation.

3. Institutional Negligence

The level of negligence by the facility or institution is a major factor in determining settlement amounts. Juvenile detention centers with a history of systemic failures—such as ignoring abuse reports or enforcing harmful policies—typically face higher payouts. Juries are particularly inclined to award substantial damages when presented with evidence of gross misconduct or willful disregard for detainees’ safety.

4. Economic Damages

Settlements often include compensation for economic damages, such as medical expenses, psychological counseling, and lost wages. While some cases may not involve significant financial losses, those that do can result in higher settlement amounts.

5. Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages—such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life—often make up the largest portion of sex abuse lawsuit settlements. In New York, juries frequently award substantial sums to compensate victims for these intangible but deeply impactful harms.

Contact Our New York Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawyers

Our New York juvenile detention center sex abuse lawyers represent victims in sex abuse lawsuits. Call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.