Multiple people have come forward with sexual abuse allegations against different L.A. County probation officers. This has caused at least twenty-three probation officers to be removed from their positions; although many probation officers resigned upon the accusations, many others have already retired or left the county with the highest honors.
These accusations include many different juvenile hall centers throughout Los Angeles County, including Camp Scott, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, MacLaren Children’s Center, and more.
Many of the complaints share similarities. For example, girls at Camp Scott were molested in bed, watched while they showered and used the restroom, and raped in administrative offices. They were threatened with solitary confinement and losing phone privileges if they spoke up; they were promised early release if they stayed quiet. All of these girls made complaints alleging abuse by the same man, Thomas E. Jackson; since the late 1990s, complaints piled up, but nothing happened. The girls who were abused finished their sentences and left the center, while the deputy that abused them stayed for decades. This deputy resigned in late September of 2023, after at least twenty women accused him of sexual abusing them when they were minors; he worked at the center for thirty-three years.
Another victim claims he was abused at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall around 2005; he claims that a female officer isolated him and groped and kissed him on at least two separate occasions. This victim was sixteen years old at the time of the abuse.
Just a few days later, Earnest Walker, a probation supervisor who had been with the Probation Department for thirty-three years also resigned; he was accused of having sex with a teenage girl that was under his supervision. Walker allegedly molested the victim, a thirteen-year-old teenager, in a motel room in the South Los Angeles area.
There are approximately 1,500 people making accusations of sexual abuse at juvenile halls. Over the past two years, a total of twenty-three probation officers have left the department – one was fired, two have resigned, and the rest have been put on leave.
Other probation officers that have previously faced criminal charges include Jeffrey Eckler and Oscar Calderon Jr. Both spent a short time in prison for their crimes.
Over the last few years, the horrors that children suffered both while detained in juvenile halls and once released and dealing with probation officers have come to light. Thousands of claims have been filed, and the county is finally doing something about the accusations. Unfortunately, many of these workers with the Probation Department never left, they continue to work in close proximity with youth either detained in juvenile hall centers or on probation. Although thousands of victims have come forward and sued the county, it is possible that there are many other victims out there.
If you were detained at a juvenile hall center in Los Angeles County when you were a minor and were sexually abused, you could have the right to sue, even if it has been decades since the abuse happened. If you are ready to explore the legal options available for child sex abuse that occurred decades ago, contact the experts here at the Normandie Law Firm today.
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What is Child Sex Abuse?
Child sex abuse is any form of sexual contact with a minor. Under California law, a minor can never consent to any sexual contact whatsoever. Therefore, any and all sexual contact with a minor is considered child sex abuse. This may include rape, attempted rape, penetration with objects, forcing the minor to penetrate the attacker, forcing the minor to touch the attacker in any way, touching, fondling, groping, kissing, making sexual comments, making sexual jokes, etc.
In juvenile halls, specifically, detained youth are often isolated from others and abused; this may occur in isolation cells, the communal showers, closets, and even in administrative offices. Youth is typically threatened by attackers. If they report the abuse, they may face punishment. Some are promised early release or other perks if they keep quiet.
The Harm Resulting from Child Sex Abuse
Without a doubt, child sex abuse can have lasting consequences for victims. Although every instance of child sex abuse is different, victims can potentially suffer the following:
- Mental and emotional harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, fear, etc.
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy
- Injuries to genitals
- Injuries to reproductive organs
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Nerve damage
- Ligament damage
- Lacerations
Victims of child sex abuse are likely to suffer for many years – sometimes even for the rest of their lives. Only a handful of victims seek mental and emotional support through counseling and therapy to deal with the effects of child sex abuse. Some victims may even see their trauma come up again once they become parents; some of them may become paranoid about the safety of their children and possible abuse.
It is also important to note that child sex abuse victims are at a higher risk of developing substance abuse problems and of self-harm, including attempting and committing suicide.
Can I Sue for Child Sex Abuse Even if a Long Time Has Passed?
Yes – under California law victims of child sex abuse have an extended time to sue. If the abuse happened while you were detained at a county juvenile hall or while you were on probation at the hands of a county probation officer, you could sue L.A. County. Your right to sue will be based on the County’s negligence.
How long do I have to sue? Under California law, victims of child sex abuse have until the age of forty to file their lawsuits; a five-year discovery rule also applies. Therefore, victims have twenty-two years after turning eighteen (the age of forty) or five years after discovering the abuse (whichever comes later) to file their lawsuits.
What does this all mean? Whether you were dealing with repressed memories and did not remember the abuse and only uncovered it recently through therapy or you were struggling to make the decision to come forward to take legal action, you may still have time to sue. If you are ready to speak with our lawyers and learn more about whether you still have time to file a child sex abuse claim for abuse that occurred in a Los Angeles County juvenile hall or at the hands of a county probation officer, contact us today.
Can I Recover Compensation?
Yes – you could be eligible to receive compensation. In fact, child sex abuse claims tend to be high value claims because of the extent of the harm and damages resulting from child sex abuse. Although every claim is different, claimants may possibly be eligible to recover compensation for the following: medical costs, lost pay, pain and suffering, punitive damages, legal fees, and treble damages. Because of treble damages, some claimants may be eligible to receive up to three times the damages; under California law, only cases in which there was a cover up of the sex abuse are eligible for treble damages. For more information about the possible value of your claim, contact our legal team as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to help you recover the maximum compensation available for child sex abuse claim against LA County.
The Normandie Law Firm Can Help You!
The County cannot get away with enabling and even covering up child sex abuse in juvenile halls and probation centers. The child sex abuse lawyers here at the Normandie Law Firm are ready to fight for your rights and help you get justice. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are experienced and are ready to go above it all to secure the payout that you are owed. To make the legal process as simple as possible for victims, we offer free legal services. These include free consultations and free second opinions. Our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you might need to begin or continue your claim (our team can help you even if you have started the legal process elsewhere).
Our Zero-Fee Guarantee ensures that our clients will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for our legal services. In addition, our firm works strictly on contingency, so our clients will not have to pay anything unless their claims are successful.
If you are ready to speak with our Los Angeles County juvenile hall and probation child sex abuse lawyers, contact us today.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
What Is The Average Value Of An Alan M. Crogan Youth Treatment/Education Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
What Is The Average Value Of An Orange County Youth Guidance Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
What Is The Average Value Of An Orange County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
