The County of Los Angeles is in charge of 18 juvenile camps, including Camp Joseph Scott. Also known as juvenile halls, these are correctional facilities for youths who have committed criminal offenses or other acts of delinquency. Located at 28700 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Saugus CA 91350, Camp Scott is supposed to provide a structured environment that’s safe and enriching for its underage residents. The camp houses female inmates only, which gives off the impression that it’s a safer environment than co-ed juvie halls. Unfortunately, that’s far from the case when you consider that minors are regularly abused by a probation officer, therapist, nurse, or some other employee of Los Angeles County.
Were you or someone in your family sexually abused at Camp Scott? These incidents happen far too often in the juvenile detention system, and victims are entitled to justice for their harm and suffering. Contact us immediately to discuss your case with the Camp Scott abuse lawyers of Normandie. We can advise you of your rights as a sexual assault victim and fight to bring you compensation from a Camp Scott sexual abuse lawsuit.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Victims Fight Back
Frankly, sexual assault and other forms of abuse has been a long-standing issue within the juvenile justice system. Guards molesting children, children being forced to fight each other, and physical assaults for “snitching” have gone on for decades. For many years, there was little that victims could do if they were going through such incidents during their stay at a youth detention center.
In recent years, changes in the laws have strengthened protections for minors in all sorts of facilities, including juvenile halls, foster care homes, and public schools. Thus, it comes as no surprise that a lawsuit was recently filed by approximately 300 former juvenile hall inmates. Filed in December 2022, the lawsuit includes disturbing allegations of grooming, rape, sodomy, and extortion against children within juvenile facilities throughout California. Some of these incidents go back to the 1970s, and one has to question what the county agencies knew and what actions they took to protect the minors in the system.
We hope that this recent lawsuit will serve as a beacon of hope if you are a Camp Scott sexual assault victim. Nevertheless, we know how agonizing it can be to talk about what happened to you, especially if you’ve stayed silent for many years. Please know that our lawyers have many years of working with victims of childhood sexual abuse. You can count on us to treat you with respect and compassion, without any pressure to take legal action if you are not ready to do so. Ultimately, our goal is to educate and empower you, and let you decide for yourself on the best way to move forward.
The Impact of Sexual Abuse on a Child
No matter what someone has done to arrive at a juvenile hall, it’s important to remember that these inmates are children. They are not adults, who are able to make informed decisions on whether or not to engage in sexual activity. With that understanding, California law classifies any sexual contact between adults and minors (under 18 years old) as sexual assault against underage individuals.
In spite of this knowledge, juveniles in the system are taken advantage of time and time again. This can happen though grooming, where the child is befriended and slowly talked into inappropriate acts. For example, a young girl at Camp Scott enjoys the attention she is receiving from one of the counselors, which is not something she’s used to getting at home. Over time, there is physical contact between them, which escalates into the counselor groping her breasts.
The incidents continue to escalate, but the girl allows the counselor to sexually abuse her. Perhaps she’s being threatened with more time or other punishments, like physical beatings. Or, maybe she’s simply afraid of losing someone she’s grown very attached to. In addition, many of these kids know that they will be ignored or told to stay quiet if they go to other adults at the facility.
Such incidents can leave a victim with lifelong damage and affect how she relates to others, and the world at large. We know that most of our clients find it challenging to keep jobs, stay in relationships, and control their emotions when they are faced with adversity. They often struggle with depression and PTSD, which manifest as sleep disorders, self-harming behaviors, eating disorders, and suicide attempts. In short, living with what they went through is extremely difficult, particularly if their abuser gets away with their crimes.
Filing a Camp Scott abuse lawsuit with help from a Camp Scott sexual molestation lawyer isn’t just about the money. If anything, it’s a way to name the person that harmed you and ensure that they can’t go on to hurt more children. Even if they are retired, knowing that they have been punished in some way can give you a sense of peace as you work through the consequences of sexual abuse during childhood.
Can I Sue for an Incident of Sexual Assault at Camp Scott?
Yes, you can sue for being sexually abused by a counselor, security officer, or another employee at Camp Scott. With Camp Scott assault cases, liability is usually shared by multiple parties, including the perpetrator, officials at the juvenile hall, and the county agency in charge of delinquent youths.
The agency overseeing Camp Scott is the Los Angeles County Probation Department. For the vast majority of cases, it’s clear that the agency knew about or suspected what was going on. However, they failed to take appropriate actions, like conducting a thorough investigation, informing the families, and giving the victim a chance to seek criminal prosecution. Frankly, the usual course of action is to move the child predator to another juvenile camp or residential center, where they go on to abuse more children. County agencies may also try to destroy or conceal evidence, which are acts that are punishable through the criminal and civil courts.
Due to the multiple entities that may be at fault, guidance from a California sex abuse attorney is the best way to undertake a lawsuit for juvenile hall sexual assault. Our law firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so don’t hesitate to call us if you need advice on a sexual abuse compensation claim against Camp Scott.
Can I be Part of a Camp Scott Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit?
Yes, it’s possible to join or initiate a Camp Scott sexual abuse class action lawsuit with others who were subjected to sexual assault, harassment and other forms of child sex abuse. Class actions can be very effective, as you have many victims who are coming forward with similar stories. As a result, it’s harder for the county to deny these incidents.
Right now, the best thing you can do is to contact us and speak with a Camp Scott class action lawsuit attorney. That way, you can learn about the process of filing a class action claim, which is quite different than filing a lawsuit on your own. While this is a complicated legal action, rest assured that we are with you every step of the way. For a free case evaluation with a lawyer who can sue Camp Scott, contact our office.
Statute of Limitations for a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The time limit to sue for the sexual assault of a minor is an extremely important topic, as California provides a generous amount of time to file a lawsuit. However, the guidelines for determining the statute of limitations can be quite confusing, which is why it’s essential to understand the following elements:
- You can file a Camp Scott sexual abuse claim up until 22 years after turning the age of majority, i.e., 18 years old.
- The victim has 5 years from the date of discovery to file a sexual assault lawsuit against Camp Scott.
Your deadline for a lawsuit is based on whichever dates come later, but you probably have questions about these guidelines and how they apply to your situation. To put it simply, you have until the age of 40 to discuss your options with a Camp Scott sexual abuse attorney and bring a legal case against the County of Los Angeles.
The other option is to file a claim within 5 years from the physical and/or psychological discovery of sexual assault while you were at a juvenile detention center. As you are probably aware, victims of sexual assault and other forms of abuse often repress what has happened to them. It’s not until much later in life that they are able to confront these issues, often with help from a licensed therapist. In some cases, the victim genuinely had no idea that they were sexually abused, as they were children with limited knowledge of sexual interactions.
We know that you may still be confused about the amount of time you have to file a juvenile hall sex abuse lawsuit. That’s why you should contact a Camp Scott abuse attorney, who can help you figure out the statute of limitations for a lawsuit.
Juvenile Hall Abuse Lawsuit Case Values
In terms of topics that come up frequently during consultations, the average case value of a juvenile hall sexual assault lawsuit ranks right at the top. This is perfectly understandable, as victims should have a sense of what they can potentially recover at the end of a case. Based on decades of litigation experience, we would say that lawsuits involving child sexual abuse are worth anywhere from $500,000 to $3,000,000. The bulk of these lawsuits bring in $1,000,000 and above, and this is based on a variety of factors, such as:
- How long the abuse went on (weeks months, years?)
- The acts of sexual abuse committed against the juvenile
- The injuries suffered by the victim, including psychological injuries
- Failure by the administrators, county agency, etc. to act on complaints or suspicions of sexual abuse against underage individuals.
The Camp Scott sexual abuse lawyers at our law firm are ready to meet with you and help you determine the approximate value of your case. Please give us a call to schedule a free, confidential case review.
How Long will it take to Settle my Case?
Those who were sexually assaulted at Camp Scott anticipate reaching the finish line on their case and moving forward in their lives. We also want to bring you closure as soon as possible, but how long that will take depends on the complications we will need to resolve. Personal injury claims, like slip and falls and car accidents, may be resolved within 6 months, but a juvenile camp sexual abuse lawsuit usually takes longer.
Most of these cases are very complex due to the type of evidence we will need, along with the fact that we are suing the government. These lawsuits have additional procedures compared to a standard lawsuit for negligence. There is also a tendency for these agencies to fight back aggressively when they are blamed for acts of sexual assault.
We generally expect these cases to take 1 to several years from start to finish, especially class action lawsuits. Having said that, a trial is unlikely, as taking a case to court is extremely expensive and time-consuming. In their efforts to save money, there is a 95% chance that the county will agree to a settlement that’s acceptable to you.
At the end of the day, it can be an arduous and frustrating process to succeed in a Camp Scott sexual assault lawsuit. Thus, it’s essential to have an attorney by your side, who can provide you with answers, encouragement, and skilled representation.
Legal Advice from a Childhood Sexual Assault Lawyer
No matter what kind of background a child comes from, they have the right to be protected from physical abuse, sexual assault, and other forms of cruel and unusual treatment. But this is a commitment that California juvenile halls have clearly failed to live up to.
Fighting back against these agencies and holding them accountable is crucial if you were victimized by a sexual predator while staying at Camp Joseph Scott. You may be entitled to monetary compensation for inappropriate touching, sexual grooming, rape, and other acts of sexual abuse. To learn about your rights and legal options, all you have to do is contact us at your earliest convenience.
Whether you file a claim on your own or join a class action lawsuit, you won’t pay a single penny upfront with the Zero Fee Guarantee. We work on contingency and ask for all legal fees to be included in your settlement award. Essentially, we don’t make a cent unless you receive payment, and that’s our promise to you from the very first consultation.
For a free case evaluation with a Camp Scott sexual assault lawyer, please reach out to us as soon as possible.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How Long Do I Have To File A Sylmar Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
How Long Do I Have To File A Los Padrinos Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
How Long Do I Have To File A Dorothy Kirby Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
