Were you the victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment while you were attending Camp Ellison Onizuka? Located at 5300 W. Ave. l, Lancaster, CA 93536, Camp Onizuka is a public school for teens in the juvenile justice system. These schools provide classes and other activities to ensure that juvenile hall inmates keep up with their studies and receive the types of educational services that all children are entitled to.
Unfortunately, the reality of what goes on at these facilities is far from ideal. For many years, the Camp Onizuka abuse lawyers of Normandie have been speaking with victims of sexual assault at juvenile detention centers in Los Angeles County. These children, who are between 12 to 17 years old, are often beaten, groomed, molested, exploited, and used in the cruelest fashion by the people who are in charge of their health and well-being. The result is that many of them fear authority figures, have problems regulating their emotions, and struggle to achieve success in many areas of their life.
Though the effects of juvenile sexual assault last a lifetime, taking legal action against your abuser can bring you a sense of resolution and help you move forward in your life. If you or your loved one was sexually abused at Camp Onizuka, we can help you explore your legal options during a free consultation. No matter what you decide, it’s essential that you make an informed decision after speaking with a California childhood sexual assault lawyer.
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Sexual Abuse Allegations against Juvenile Camps in Los Angeles County
The County of Los Angeles has one of the largest juvenile systems in the nation, with 21 juvenile halls and camps that service several thousand youths at any given time. There are many state employees that care for these underage inmates, but it’s clear that neglect and abuse are on-going problems within these places.
Various juvenile camps, including Camp Onizuka, have been the subject of numerous investigations by state and federal law enforcement agencies. Here are just some of the abuse incidents at juvenile halls that were uncovered by the Los Angeles Times:
- A probation officer at a juvenile detention hall was charged with sexually assaulting 3 youths in various rooms at the facility. She pled guilty to 5 felony counts of child sexual abuse and received a prison sentence of 4 years.
- Video footage showed that a juvenile hall inmate was beaten by a probation officer. Because of the video tape, the officer was sentenced to probation for 24 months after he was convicted of assault and battery.
- Five teenagers at a youth detention center were ordered by a probation officer to beat another teenager in the facility. The officer believed that the youth had stolen her cellphone and used the other children in her care to seek revenge. The probation officer was sentenced to one year in jail.
Victims and their family members also have the option of filing a lawsuit for monetary damages, such as medical expenses (including cost of therapy), pain and suffering, lost income, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. Filing a lawsuit, by the way, does not take away the right to file criminal charges. You can pursue both of these actions at the same time, or choose to file a lawsuit without seeking criminal prosecution.
The Camp Onizuka sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie are committed to the rights of sexual assault victims, who are left to pick up the pieces after weeks, months, or years of sexual, physical, and verbal abuse. Don’t wait to learn about the legal options that are available to you. Call us today and speak to a lawyer with experience in juvenile hall sexual assault cases.
The Lifelong Scars of Sexual Abuse During Childhood
When we think of residents at a juvenile hall, we sometimes forget that they are children in need of love, guidance, and special consideration, compared to adult inmates. That’s why these minors are provided with classes and educational opportunities at juvenile justice schools, like Camp Onizuka.
Tragically, what should be a place of learning and enrichment can often cause lifelong trauma to vulnerable and confused children. The vast majority of these kids are coming from abusive backgrounds, and as a result, they are more susceptible to adults that pay them special attention. It’s not hard to see how a probation officer or another juvenile justice employee grooms a child and talks them into inappropriate touching, sending nude pics, intercourse, and various sexual acts.
Victims of sexual abuse often feel that they are scarred for life, and this feeling permeates every decision they make and every relationship they enter. This can happen due to physical injuries like damage to the reproductive organs, sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancy. But even without visible signs of abuse, the emotional trauma of a Camp Onizuka assault incident is extremely difficult to live with.
Even when the child realizes it’s wrong, they are too scared to speak out, especially if they did not complain about the abuse right away. For example, a young girl at Camp Onizuka may have enjoyed the attention and extra privileges she was receiving from one of the teachers. They engage in open conversations and share secrets, which is a boost to her self-esteem.
At first, the teacher pats her shoulder or lightly touches her knee, and eventually works up to groping her breasts and genitals. At this point, the child is hesitant to speak out, as she allowed the other acts of touching that led up to this point. She’s also afraid to get her teacher in trouble, because even though he is abusing her, she still feels a sense of love and loyalty towards him. Thus, she allows the teacher to sexually abuse her, even though she’s sad, confused, and disgusted by the incidents.
Over time, victims in these situations develop signs of post-traumatic stress, like hypervigilance, severe mood swings, phobias, and sleep disorders. They can also suffer from long periods of depression and engage in dangerous behaviors, like self-harm, eating disorders, attempting suicide, and being abusive to their loved ones.
We know that money from a lawsuit doesn’t take away the pain and trauma of what you went through. However, it is a powerful way to confront the abuse head on and hold your abuser accountable for what they did to you. By contacting our law firm, you can learn about your rights and legal options from a Camp Onizuka sexual molestation lawyer. We are ready to take immediate action on your case and fight tirelessly to bring you justice from the system that failed you.
Can I Sue if I was Sexually Assaulted at Camp Onizuka?
Yes, you can sue if you were sexually abused while attending Camp Onizuka. The key is to figure out who is responsible for the abuse you suffered while you were under the care of the juvenile justice system. The person who sexually abused you is certainly responsible, but the entity in charge of the officer, counselor, etc., may also be at fault.
As a juvenile justice school, Camp Onizuka is under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education. In many cases, these agencies are aware of abuse allegations against certain employees, but they fail to investigate the incident or get law enforcement involved. They may also move the person to another facility in an order to placate the victim, while putting other children at risk. Sometimes, they destroy evidence and take part in other cover-up attempts as a way to “make the problem go away.”
With Camp Onizuka sexual abuse claims, it’s essential to understand the process of suing the government. Lawsuits against these agencies involve different procedures compared to lawsuits against an individual or private entity. Due to the complications that are involved, it’s in your best interest to seek advice from a Camp Onizuka sexual assault lawyer.
Can I Join a Class Action Lawsuit with Other Victims?
Yes, you can be part of a Camp Onizuka sexual abuse class action lawsuit and join with others who were abused as students at this facility. To establish a class action, we will need more victims to come forward and show interest in filing a legal action together. That’s why it’s important to contact us immediately and speak to a Camp Onizuke class action lawsuit attorney. We can provide you with guidance on how to initiate or join a class action and obtain compensation for yourself and others who were sexually abused at a juvenile justice school.
Average Case Value of a Sexual Abuse against Minors Lawsuit
The average value of a juvenile facility sexual abuse lawsuit is around $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, based on the settlements we typically recover on behalf of our clients. This is due to a variety of factors, including liability of the agency in charge, the number of incidents and specific acts of abuse, and if there were cover up attempts by one or more individuals. However, this range may not be an accurate valuation of your own claim, which involves circumstances that are unique to you and the harm you’ve suffered. To learn how much you are entitled to from a Camp Onizuka sexual assault lawsuit, give us a call to schedule a free case review.
Deadline to File a Lawsuit if You were Sexually Abused at a Juvenile Hall
Lawsuits for child sexual abuse must be filed by the victim turns 40 years old, or 22 years after the victim’s 18th birthday. The statute of limitations also includes the discovery rule, which allows you to file a lawsuit within 5 years from discovering the physical or psychological effects of sexual abuse at a juvenile hall. This is good news for victims whose incidents of abuse took place years ago, and they were under the assumption that they have run out of time to go after the responsible parties.
No matter how much time you have for a lawsuit, it’s essential to find a lawyer who can sue Camp Onizuka as soon as possible. Our law firm is here for you 24 hours a day, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
How Long is the Process to Settle a Camp Onizuka Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
It can take around 6 months to several years to reach a settlement in a youth detention center sexual abuse lawsuit. Frankly, child sexual abuse claims are incredibly complex cases for a number of reasons, and there is shortcut to receiving justice as a victim. With juvenile justice schools, you are suing a government entity, and these lawsuits are more complicated than personal injury claims against private entities. Plus, these agencies have considerable resources to fight accusations of molestation, grooming, rape, and other sexual abuse against children.
While our goal is to negotiate a settlement within the first 6 months, many of these cases progress to a lawsuit. Keep in mind that most lawsuits (over 95%) are settled out of court. But it can take one or more years to work towards an amount that both sides agree on. If negotiations continue to be unfruitful, taking your case to trial may be the only option. This is where a Camp Onizuka abuse case becomes really complicated, and reaching the finish line on a sexual assault lawsuit can take up to several years.
As a victim of negligence and abuse at a California juvenile detention center, we urge you to contact our office at your earliest convenience. That way, you can receive a detailed explanation of the case resolution process from a Camp Onizuka abuse attorney.
Contact the Juvenile Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys of Normandie
We all agree that sexual abuse of a minor is unacceptable, but are we doing enough to prevent such incidents in our schools, foster homes, juvenile halls, and other places that are in charge of children? In our opinion, supervision, monitoring, and accountability are sorely lacking by juvenile hall staff and administrators.
If you were subjected to sexual abuse at Camp Onizuka, please contact us to receive free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee. You pay $0 when you join the Normandie family, as all our expenses are recovered at the end of your case. Either we succeed in bringing you payment and receiving a portion of your settlement check, or we make nothing at all. This way, you know that there is nothing to lose if you decide to file a lawsuit for being sexually abused while you were at Camp Onizuka.
Please contact us and receive a free case evaluation from one of our attorneys, who will help you determine the best course of action.
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