San Diego Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits

This page looks 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’s Juvenile Detention Facilities: A System Built on Abuse and Neglect

For decades, San Diego’s juvenile detention centers and shelters were meant to rehabilitate and protect vulnerable youth. Instead, they became sites of systemic abuse, cover-ups, and institutional failures. From Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility to Casa San Diego, minors were placed in the care of adults who were supposed to protect them—only to be exploited, silenced, and, in many cases, abandoned by the very system designed to help them.

The stories emerging from these facilities follow the same disturbing pattern:

• Sexual abuse ignored, covered up, or outright enabled by staff and administrators.
• Survivors threatened into silence, with reports of solitary confinement or retaliation.
• Lawsuits alleging decades of misconduct, with hundreds of minors affected.

This is not an isolated incident at a single facility. It is a pattern that spans multiple institutions, years of misconduct, and countless victims whose voices were ignored for too long.

Below are the allegations surrounding some of San Diego’s most notorious juvenile detention facilities—and the long-overdue fight for justice.

🔵 Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF)

Location: 2801 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123
Capacity: Approximately 359 beds
Sexual Abuse Allegations: Over 100 children. That’s how many minors have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse at KMJDF and other San Diego juvenile facilities. Staff members—trusted with the care of vulnerable youth—allegedly used their authority to prey on children. Rape, molestation, coercion. The abuse was systematic, concealed, and, in many cases, ignored by those in charge.

How did this happen? Reports show that inadequate background checks allowed known offenders to stay on the job. Surveillance was weak. Complaints were buried. Some survivors say they were threatened with solitary confinement if they spoke up. Others claim that administrators looked the other way, refusing to investigate or even acknowledge the abuse.

KMJDF has a long history of harsh conditions. Built in 1954, it was designed for juvenile detention, not rehabilitation. Over the decades, it became notorious for its punitive culture. Behind locked doors, staff had unchecked power over minors with nowhere to turn.

🔵 East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (EMJDF)

Location: 446 Alta Road, Suite 6100, San Diego, CA 92158
Capacity: Approximately 290 beds
Sexual Abuse Allegations: No lawsuits have specifically named EMJDF—yet. But it’s part of the same broken system. If abuse was rampant at KMJDF, why would East Mesa be any different?

Advocates believe many survivors have yet to come forward. Retaliation is a real fear. We know this from other juvenile detention cases across the country. Some victims wait years, even decades, before speaking out. When they do, the stories are often the same: threats, intimidation, isolation. And a system designed to protect the abusers instead of the abused.

🔵 Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF)

Location: Campo, CA
Capacity:  Closed in 2015
Sexual Abuse Allegations: JRF was remote. Isolated. No fences, no locked doors—just miles of desert and a reliance on Border Patrol to track down runaways. It was supposed to be a rehabilitation facility, but some former detainees say it was anything but.

Survivors have started coming forward. Attorneys have received calls from former detainees who describe sexual misconduct by staff. Given the lack of oversight, how many more victims are out there? The facility closed in 2015, but the trauma didn’t.

🔵 Camp Barrett

Location: Alpine, CA
Capacity: Closed 2018
Sexual Abuse Allegations: Officially, no public allegations of sexual abuse have surfaced. But does that mean abuse didn’t happen? Or does it mean the victims are still too afraid to speak?

Like other county-run facilities, Camp Barrett was supposed to focus on rehabilitation. In reality, reports describe a harsh disciplinary culture that often blurs the line between punishment and cruelty. For years, detainees suffered in silence. Some may still be waiting for the right moment to tell their story.

🔵 A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center

Location: San Diego, CA
Sexual Abuse Allegations: More than 100 children were sexually abused here between 1994 and 2020. Some were just toddlers.

This is not just one case, one predator, or moment of negligence. We are talking about decades of failure. Lawsuits claim that abusers were hired without proper screening. Complaints from children were ignored. Some minors were victimized over and over again, even after reporting the abuse.

How does this happen in a juvenile hall meant to protect kids? The Polinsky Children’s Center was supposed to be a safe haven for children escaping neglect, abuse, and violence at home. Instead, some of them found more of the same behind its doors.

🔵 Casa San Diego

Location: El Cajon, CAe
Sexual Abuse Allegations: At least eight police and sheriff reports. Sexual battery. Indecent exposure. The incidents happened between 2016 and 2018, but not a single arrest was made.

Casa San Diego houses unaccompanied minors—many of them undocumented, with no one to advocate for them. These children were already vulnerable. Yet, according to former employees, cases of sexual misconduct were brushed aside, not properly reported, and never investigated the way they should have been.

Patterns of Abuse and Institutional Failures

San Diego County’s juvenile detention facilities have been implicated in widespread sexual abuse allegations, many of which share common themes.

The San Diego County juvenile detention system has been plagued by decades of sexual abuse allegations, cover-ups, and administrative negligence. The recurring themes across all facilities include:

• Sexual misconduct by correctional officers and staff members
• Failure to protect minors from known predators
• Negligent hiring and supervision of high-risk employees
• Intimidation, retaliation, and coercion against victims
• Deliberate indifference by administrators who failed to act on abuse complaints

Given the expansive nature of these abuses, law firms are actively investigating cases, and juvenile hall sex abuse survivors in San Diego are encouraged to come forward under California’s extended statute of limitations.

How is “Sexual Abuse” Defined?

California law defines sexual assault or sexual abuse as any non-consensual sexual touching or contact made for the purpose of sexual gratification. In civil lawsuits, these acts are often classified as sexual battery, a broad legal term that encompasses offenses ranging from unwanted groping to violent rape.

To meet the legal definition of sexual abuse under California law, two critical elements must be present. First, the contact must be intentional and sexually motivated. For instance, an accidental brush in a crowded space or grabbing someone to prevent a fall does not qualify as sexual abuse because there is no sexual intent behind the act.

Second, the act must occur without consent. Any form of deliberate sexual touching that is not mutually agreed upon is considered abuse or assault. In California, minors under the age of 18 cannot legally give consent to sexual contact. This means that any sexual touching between an adult and a minor is automatically classified as sexual battery.

This legal standard has profound implications for cases involving juvenile detention centers. Any sexual contact between an adult staff member and an inmate at a juvenile facility is, by law, sexual abuse. There is no gray area. There are no exceptions. The power imbalance makes consent impossible, and the law is clear—these acts are sex crimes.

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.

Statute of Limitations for San Diego Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Cases

Survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers often face significant challenges when seeking justice. Many were silenced by threats, ignored by those in power, or told they had no legal recourse. But California law has changed, giving survivors more time and stronger legal options to hold institutions accountable.

Under the California Child Victims Act (AB 218), survivors of childhood sexual abuse now have an expanded opportunity to file lawsuits against juvenile detention centers, county agencies, and other institutions that allowed or enabled the abuse. This law recognizes that survivors often take years to process their trauma and come forward.

Key provisions of AB 218 include:

• Extending the statute of limitations, allowing survivors to file civil claims until the age of 40, or within five years of recognizing the impact of their abuse.
• Allowing for treble damages if evidence indicates that the facility engaged in a cover-up increases potential settlement compensation.

For survivors previously barred by the statute of limitations, claims may still be possible under California’s delayed discovery rule. This legal provision acknowledges that many victims only connect their past abuse to its lasting effects later in life. If a survivor recently realized the full extent of their trauma—whether through therapy, personal reflection, or life circumstances—they may still be eligible to file a lawsuit, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

San Diego County Juvenile Hall and other detention facilities have come under scrutiny for patterns of misconduct and institutional failures. Survivors who were abused at these facilities deserve a chance to hold those responsible accountable. Understanding the statute of limitations is the first step in seeking justice. Those unsure about their legal options should consult an attorney to determine whether they can still file a claim.

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.

The Legal Path Forward for Survivors

For survivors of sexual abuse at San Diego juvenile detention centers, the journey toward justice is often long and difficult. Many have been silenced by fear, threatened with retaliation, or ignored by the very institutions meant to protect them. But in California, the law is changing.

Under the California Child Victims Act (AB 218), survivors have more time than ever to file a civil lawsuit against those responsible. This includes the juvenile hall system, county officials, and any institutions that enabled or covered up the abuse. Survivors who were previously barred by the statute of limitations may now have another chance to seek justice.

What does this mean for victims? It means that even if the abuse happened years ago, there is still a legal path forward. Many survivors only begin to process the full extent of their trauma later in life. The law now acknowledges that reality, allowing them to come forward when they’re ready.

These lawsuits do more than provide financial compensation. They expose institutional failures, hold negligent parties accountable, and force change within the juvenile justice system. The pattern of abuse and cover-ups in San Diego’s detention centers cannot be ignored any longer.

Settlement Value of San Diego Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Victims of sexual abuse at juvenile detention facilities in San Diego may be entitled to substantial financial compensation through civil lawsuits. The potential settlement value of these cases depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the abuse, the length of time it occurred, the strength of the evidence, and the level of negligence by the facility or those responsible for oversight.

Five Key Factors That Influence Settlement Amounts

1. Severity and Impact of the Abuse
   The nature of the abuse plays a significant role in determining settlement value. While more severe and prolonged cases generally result in higher payouts. But we are talking generally here.  Single-event cases have also resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, particularly when there is clear evidence of negligence or institutional failure.

2. Duration and Frequency of Abuse
   Lawsuits involving incidents that happened repeatedly over weeks, months, or years tend to see higher settlement values than those involving a single event. However, there are many instances where even one incident has led to significant compensation, particularly if it resulted in lasting trauma or if the facility failed to act on prior warnings.

3. Strength of the Evidence
   While a victim’s testimony is often sufficient to establish liability, cases supported by additional evidence—such as witness statements, internal reports, or documentation showing prior complaints about the perpetrator—can lead to higher settlement amounts. The presence of strong supporting evidence can reinforce claims of negligence and make a case more compelling in negotiations or at trial.

4. Institutional Negligence and Cover-Ups
   The role of the facility or government agency in allowing abuse to occur—or failing to prevent it—significantly impacts potential compensation. If staff members were hired without proper background checks, prior complaints were ignored, or there was a broader pattern of abuse at the facility, settlements can be significantly higher. Institutions that engaged in systematic failures, cover-ups, or threats against victims often face the highest exposure in terms of liability.

5. Long-Term Effects on the Survivor
   The lasting impact of abuse is a major factor in determining compensation. Many survivors experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, difficulty maintaining employment, and other significant life challenges. These long-term effects can result in additional damages, including compensation for ongoing therapy, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering..

San Diego Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

One of the most common questions survivors of institutional sexual abuse have is: “What is my case worth?” It is a reasonable question. Victims who come forward want to understand what justice might look like, not just in terms of accountability but also in terms of financial compensation. However, this is also a difficult question to answer with certainty.

Every case is unique. The legal system does not assign a fixed value to suffering, and the range of settlement amounts can vary widely based on numerous factors. Some cases have resulted in multimillion-dollar jury verdicts, while others have settled for lower amounts. A single incident of abuse does not necessarily mean a smaller settlement, just as prolonged abuse does not automatically guarantee a large payout. The circumstances surrounding each case—such as the strength of the evidence, the level of institutional negligence, and the long-term impact on the survivor—play a significant role in determining the outcome.

Our lawyers hesitate to provide specific numbers because we do not want to create false expectations. No lawyer can promise a particular result, and we recognize that offering estimates runs the risk of oversimplifying what is a deeply personal and legally complex process. That said, we also understand that survivors and their families want to have a general sense of what similar cases have settled for in the past. So look at this as a broad range of settlement values based on previous lawsuits involving sexual abuse in juvenile detention facilities. These figures should be viewed as general trends, not guarantees, as every case is different.

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 can 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 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.