San Diego Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits

On this page, we will look at civil lawsuits for victims of sexual abuse at San Diego juvenile detention centers.

San Diego County Juvenile Hall is now at the center of a troubling investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against minors who were detained at the facility. Survivors have come forward with reports of sexual exploitation, misconduct by staff members, and a pervasive culture of abuse that was allegedly ignored or covered up by those in power. These allegations are part of a larger pattern of sexual abuse within the juvenile justice system, where vulnerable youth are too often subjected to harm by the very individuals entrusted with their care.

Our California sex abuse lawyers are currently accepting cases involving sex abuse at San Diego Juvenile Hall and other facilities. Call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online for a free consultation.

San Diego Juvenile Detention Centers

​San Diego County operates several juvenile detention facilities, each with distinct functions and histories. Below is an overview of these centers, including any reported allegations of sexual abuse.

San Diego County operates several juvenile detention facilities, each with distinct functions and histories. Below is an overview of these centers, including any reported allegations of sexual abuse:

Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF)

1. • Location: 2801 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123
   • Overview: Formerly known as San Diego County Juvenile Hall, KMJDF has been operational since 1954 and serves as a detention center for juvenile offenders.
   • Capacity: Approximately 359 beds
   • Sexual Abuse Allegations: In recent years, numerous lawsuits have been filed against San Diego County, alleging that more than 100 children were sexually assaulted by staff members at county-run facilities, including KMJDF. The complaints suggest systemic issues, such as inadequate supervision and insufficient background checks, which may have allowed such abuse to occur.

East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (EMJDF)

1. • Location: 446 Alta Road, Suite 6100, San Diego, CA 92158
   • Overview: Located in the Otay Mesa area, EMJDF serves as the primary booking facility for all juvenile detentions in San Diego County. It comprises nine 30-bed housing units and one 20-bed unit, totaling a capacity of 290 beds.
   • Sexual Abuse Allegations: Specific allegations against EMJDF were not found in the provided sources. However, the facility is part of the broader county system currently under scrutiny for reports of abuse.

Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF)

1. • Location: Campo, CA
   • Overview: JRF consisted of two primary facilities: Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo, which included two drug dorms. The facility was not locked or fenced but was situated near the border, allowing staff to seek assistance from Border Patrol agents to prevent escapes. The facility closed in 2015.
   • Sexual Abuse Allegations: Our law firm has received calls from victims about this facility.

Camp Barrett

1. • Location: Alpine, CA
   • Overview: A rehabilitation camp for male juvenile offenders, Camp Barrett emphasized structured programs focused on education, counseling, and work assignments. It was closed in 2018 due to declining juvenile populations.
   • Sexual Abuse Allegations: No specific allegations have surfaced regarding this facility, but it was part of the county’s juvenile system that has faced scrutiny over abuse claims.

A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center

1. • Location: San Diego, CA
   • Overview: This 24-hour facility provides temporary emergency shelter for children who must be separated from their families for their own safety or when parents cannot provide care.
   • Sexual Abuse Allegations: A series of civil complaints allege that more than 100 children were sexually assaulted by staff members at this center between 1994 and 2020. The lawsuits claim that inadequate employee background checks and a lack of supervision contributed to the pervasive abuse.

Casa San Diego

1. • Location: El Cajon, CA
   • Overview: Operated by Southwest Key Programs, Casa San Diego is a holding facility for minors who are either unaccompanied at the U.S. border or have been separated from their families. It houses boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 17.
   • Sexual Abuse Allegations: Former employees have alleged that the facility did not properly report cases of sexual abuse and misconduct. Between January 2016 and April 2018, eight police and sheriff reports were filed alleging sexual battery or indecent exposure incidents involving minors housed at the shelter. These reports resulted in no arrests or charges.

How is “Sexual Abuse” Defined?

In California, sexual assault or sexual abuse is defined as any non-consensual sexual touching or contact made for the purpose of sexual gratification. In civil lawsuits, these acts are commonly referred to as sexual battery. This broad definition includes offenses ranging from unwanted groping to violent rape.

To qualify as sexual abuse under California law, two key elements must be present. First, the contact must be intentional and carried out for sexual gratification. For example, accidental physical contact in a crowded space or grabbing someone to prevent a fall does not constitute sexual abuse, as there is no sexual intent.

Second, the act must occur without consent. Any intentional sexual touching without mutual consent is considered abuse or assault. Under California law minors under the age of 18 cannot legally give consent to sexual contact. Therefore, any sexual touching between an adult and a minor is automatically classified as sexual battery. This means that ANY sexual contact by an adult with an inmate at a juvenile detention center is considered sexual abuse.

Understanding the Claims

Survivors of abuse at San Diego County Juvenile Hall have described incidents of sexual assault, harassment, and coercion by correctional officers, staff members, and even other detainees. Reports indicate that systemic failures—ranging from inadequate supervision to deliberate concealment of misconduct—allowed the abuse to persist for years. Some of the key claims being investigated include:

• Sexual assault and misconduct by juvenile detention officers
• Failure to protect minors from known predators
• Retaliation against those who reported abuse
• Negligent hiring and supervision of staff members
• Deliberate indifference by facility administrators

In many cases, survivors say they felt powerless to report the abuse due to fear of retaliation or further punishment. Others report that their complaints were dismissed outright, creating an environment where perpetrators were emboldened to continue their misconduct.

Legal Rights and the Statute of Limitations

For survivors of sexual abuse, seeking justice can be an overwhelming process, particularly when dealing with institutions that have historically failed to hold abusers accountable. However, legal options remain available to those who have suffered harm at San Diego County Juvenile Hall.

California law provides several avenues for survivors to seek justice through both civil litigation and criminal proceedings. Under the California Child Victims Act (AB 218), survivors of childhood sexual abuse have an expanded window to file lawsuits against institutions that allowed or enabled the abuse. Key provisions include:

• An extension of the statute of limitations to allow survivors to file civil claims up to the age of 40, or within five years of discovering the psychological impact of their abuse.
• The possibility of treble damages in cases where a cover-up is proven.

For survivors who are now adults and missed the lookback window, claims may still be viable under California’s delayed discovery rule, which allows lawsuits to proceed if the victim only recently realized the full extent of the harm caused by the abuse.

Holding Institutions Accountable

The San Diego County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse allegations are part of a broader reckoning within the juvenile justice system. Survivors who choose to come forward not only seek personal justice but also work to expose systemic failures that endanger others.

By holding the county and its officials accountable, survivors can help ensure that institutional reforms take place, preventing future cases of abuse. A civil lawsuit can provide compensation for the significant emotional and psychological harm inflicted upon victims, while also forcing transparency and policy changes within the juvenile justice system.

Settlement Value of San Diego Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Victims of sexual abuse at juvenile facilities can get significant financial compensation in a civil lawsuit. The potential settlement value of a successful sex abuse lawsuit for sexual abuse at a San Diego juvenile detention facility depends on several factors.

• Nature of Abuse: The nature and severity of the sexual abuse is always a big factor. Cases involving groping or simple touching are going to have a lower settlement value compared to a case involving forcible rape.
• Duration of Abuse: The frequency and the duration of the sexual abuse also tends to drive settlement payouts. A single act of sexual abuse is far less traumatic than if the victim was sexually abused on a daily basis over a period s several months.
• Supporting Evidence: In most abuse cases, the only evidence is the victim’s testimony. That is usually more than enough. However, if the victim has other evidence to support their testimony, such as witnesses, records of complaints, or even video, it will make their case even stronger.
• Negligence: If there is evidence that the juvenile facility ignored prior reports of misconduct by staff, or was otherwise blatantly negligent, it will increase the settlement value.

Seeking Legal Help

If you or someone you know was subjected to sexual abuse while detained at San Diego County Juvenile Hall, it is crucial to speak with an attorney who specializes in sexual abuse litigation. Law firms advocating for survivors can help navigate the complexities of these cases and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Survivors deserve justice. No amount of institutional protection should shield abusers from facing the consequences of their actions. By pursuing legal action, survivors have the power to reclaim their voices and push for meaningful change.

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse at San Diego County Juvenile Hall or another juvenile detention center in the San Diego area, you are not alone. Contact a our sex abuse lawyers today to explore your rights and take the first step toward justice. Call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.