Why Victims of Sexual Abuse at Maryland Juvenile Detention Facilities May Soon Be Receiving Significant Compensation (Regardless of How Long Ago The Abuse Occurred)
Were you or a loved one ever sexually abused by an employee or staff member while at a juvenile detention center, camp, or secure youth treatment facility in Maryland?
If so, you are not alone, and you may be eligible for significant compensation.
Below, you can learn more and complete our 60-second evaluation to see if your case qualifies.
Maryland Sexual Abuse Legislation Updates
In 2023, the state of Maryland enacted the Child Victims Act.
The Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases in Maryland.
The previous time limit allowed survivors to file a claim until their 38th birthday. Under the new legislation, survivors of child sexual abuse can now file civil lawsuits at any time.
Anyone who was abused, including adults who were abused as youth while at a juvenile detention center or secure youth treatment facility, can now seek justice.
This is a victory for sexual abuse survivors and their right to seek justice.
It is known that people who come to terms with their abuse later in life often miss the opportunity to seek justice because the time to do so has run out.
This means that anyone who was ever sexually abused or sexually assaulted by members of staff or employees at any Maryland juvenile detention center, county-operated rehabilitation youth programs, camps, secure youth treatment facilities, or facilities and programs that are either still operating or are now closed may soon be eligible for significant compensation.
Sexual Abuse at Juvenile Detention Centers
For decades, juvenile facilities across Maryland have been accused of failing to protect youth detainees from abuse.
There have been a large number of complaints from former youth detainees and their families alleging that the staff at these detention centers sexually abused them.
Recent reports and investigations state that detainees at Maryland juvenile detention centers (the Hickey School, Cheltenham, Waxter, and many others) were often subjected to sexual abuse and assault by staff and other inmates.
Juvenile detention centers in Maryland are reported to have the highest rate of sexual abuse nationwide, as highlighted by a U.S. Department of Justice report.
Sexual abuse at many of these types of institutions still happens to this day, and critics say leaders are still not doing enough about it.
And now, thanks to the Child Victims Act, which greatly extends the statute of limitations in civil sexual abuse lawsuits, a growing number of survivors are finally stepping forward to seek justice.
If you or a loved one were sexually abused while at a juvenile detention facility, camp, or other juvenile program in Maryland, you may be entitled to significant compensation based on Maryland’s recently amended sexual abuse laws.
Juvenile Detention Centers Lawsuits
The new legislation grants survivors of child sexual abuse important rights and legal options for seeking justice.
If you are a survivor previously barred by the statute of limitations, you have the right to seek legal action against the abuser and any liable parties through civil lawsuits.
The Act allows survivors to seek compensation for the harm they have endured. This may include economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, therapy costs, pain and suffering, and lost income.
Recently, a large number of women who were sexually abused as inmates at Waxter have come forward and filed civil lawsuits.
Lawsuits from former juvenile detainees describe a pattern of abuse across multiple facilities.
The Cheltenham detention center was also targeted in a recent investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.
Recent reports and investigations have also revealed that abuse of juvenile detainees, including sexual abuse and assault, at the Hickey School, was widespread over the years.
According to the complaints, officers physically harmed or threatened the youth into silence, and those who attempted to report incidents were often ignored or even punished.
It’s common for victims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment to feel scared by the fact that they’ve been hurt by an authoritative figure, or they might feel ashamed or embarrassed and scared to tell others about the abuse.
Understanding that what the victim went through was unfair and not their fault can be an important step toward long-term healing, and they may find that holding the abuser accountable can help them find peace.
Whether the victim is a child or an adult, if the victim has experienced sexual assault, unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate sexual touching, or indecent exposure, they should receive help and seek justice.
It’s important not to assume that a victim’s claim is invalid just because some years have passed since the abuse occurred.
They may be able to pursue a claim today, even if the abuse happened many years ago.
With the increasing awareness of these scandals and the now deeper understanding of the lasting impact of sexual abuse, several states have extended the time frame in which a person can file a sexual abuse claim.
Although we know that even 7-figure compensation can’t erase a life-altering event or heal the pain, compensation can at least help reduce the financial stress and help hold offenders accountable to help prevent future abuse.
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What To Do Next
If you or a loved one were sexually harassed or sexually abused by an employee or member of staff at a juvenile detention center in Maryland, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
In general, reaching out to a legal representative as soon as possible greatly improves your chances of successfully proving your claim.
Over time, memories can fade, witnesses may relocate, and crucial details become less clear.
But you shouldn’t just contact any law firm that claims to handle sexual abuse lawsuits. It’s important that you get help from a law firm that is highly experienced in Sexual Abuse lawsuits and has a team of experts to help you.
We’re here to help survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault seek justice.
How To Get A Free Consultation With Law Firms That Are Highly Experienced In Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Would you like to get a free consultation with a law firm that is highly experienced in sexual abuse lawsuits?
We have a nationwide network of highly-rated attorneys who are here to help you.
To get a free case review and see if you qualify for a free consultation with one of our partner law firms, just tap the button below.
Once you speak with one of our partner law firms, they can immediately start helping you with the following:
- Serving you and your family with empathy and compassion
- Building a case for why you or your family should receive a seven- or eight-figure settlement
- Taking care of as many legal and medical issues as possible so you can reduce your stress and focus on healing
To get a free case review and see if you qualify for a free consultation with one of our partner law firms, just tap the button below.