A Fullerton, CA man was charged with sexually abusing an underage inmate at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, which closed in June 2023. Azzan Sandhu worked at the facility as an officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations. The female inmate, who was 15 years old at the time, was “preyed upon and sexually exploited” by Sandhu, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
The incidents occurred between December 2022 and February 2023, while the girl was under his supervision. Following his arrest, Azzan Sandhu was charged with 7 counts of sexually abusing a minor, 1 count of using an underage individual to create “child sexual abuse material,” and 1 count of communication with a minor for the purpose of committing sexual abuse.
Due to his position of authority, these charges are enhanced with the allegation of abusing his position of power to take advantage of a “vulnerable female entrusted to his care.” Currently, Sandhu is being held on $1,000,000 bail at the Ventura County Main Jail.
It’s good to know that this child predator is off the streets and awaiting prosecution by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit. But we can’t ignore the fact that a child was sexually exploited for several months by one of 11 youth prisons that were operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR).
These facilities were closed in the summer of 2023 due to changes that required juvenile halls to be managed by county probation departments rather than the state. County officials don’t like to talk about it, but rampant physical and sexual abuse of inmates is part of the reason why youth facilities managed by the CDCR were shut down. That’s why we firmly believe that this 15-year-old is one of many victims who were abused by Sandhu and other staff members at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. I
Were you sexually abused while staying at a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations youth prison? In that case, please take a moment to contact our law firm. We can educate you on your rights and legal options, which include suing the State of California for child sexual abuse. Our attorneys look forward to speaking with you and fighting for justice on your behalf.
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Can I Sue for Sexual Abuse at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility?
Yes, you can sue for being sexually abused at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, which is located at 3100 Wright Road, Camarillo, CA 93010. You may have noticed that juvenile hall abuse lawsuits are typically filed against the state or county agency in charge of the facility, even though there is a specific person that abused the victim. With sexual misconduct cases at Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, the responsible entity is the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations. As a result, you will be filing a lawsuit against the state of California.
As we mentioned before, there is a long history of sexual abuse at California youth prisons, as well as emotional abuse, physical assault, unsanitary conditions, and lack of basic necessities. Such problems indicate a failure by the CDCR in their duty of care to the inmates at their facilities.
Our lawyers have been representing juvenile hall abuse victims and their families for several decades, so we are fully aware that most allegations of sexual assault and harassment are ignored or somehow slip through the cracks. But even if the inmate isn’t vocal about the abuse, many of them exhibit behaviors that are red flags for child sexual abuse. Juvenile hall employees are supposed to receive training on the signs of neglect and abuse in children. Furthermore, they must report their suspicions to the authorities, which is a legal requirement under California’s mandatory reporting laws.
Sadly, most of these children never receive the help they need and deserve, and instead, find themselves preyed upon by a child molester for months or years. Though we fully support the closure of places like the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, former inmates who were abused are still suffering to this very day. If you or someone you know was abused by a correctional guard or another employee at a California youth prison, contact us for more information on suing the State of California for sexual abuse against a minor.
Average Settlement for a Ventura County Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuit
The vast majority of sexual abuse lawsuits against juvenile detention facilities settle for anywhere from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. Those who were sexually assaulted may receive $2,000,000 to $5,000,000, while victims of sexual exploitation and harassment may be awarded $1,500,000 or less. However, there are various factors that will increase the value of a Ventura County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse case, regardless of how the victim was abused. Factors we examine in order to determine a lawsuit value include:
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The duration and frequency of abuse
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The injuries resulting from sexual assault / abuse
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How the victim’s life was negatively impacted by these incidents
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Negligence and unlawful conduct by state officials, like failing to conduct an investigation and concealing evidence of child abuse
The severity of injuries and negligence and/or misconduct by the defendant can add millions of dollars to the value of a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. That’s why you sometimes come across child sexual assault lawsuits that are settled for close to or over $10,000,000. However, most lawsuits in California for the sexual abuse of a minor are worth 6 to 7 figures
How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?
On average, it takes 12 to 24 months to settle a Ventura County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse lawsuit, and 3 or more years if the case is tried in court. We want to point out that less than 5% of juvenile hall inmate abuse lawsuits go to trial, so it’s unlikely that your case will get to this point. But it can take many months to negotiate a payment amount that both sides agree on. Sometimes, we get lucky, and a settlement is worked out in 6 months or less, but this is uncommon when it comes to sexual abuse allegations at juvenile halls and other government institutions.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for Sexual Abuse at a Juvenile Detention Facility
As a victim of sexual abuse during childhood, you must file a lawsuit by the time you are 40 years old, which is 22 years following your 18th birthday. But you can also sue the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations no matter how old you are if you discover an injury that was caused by sexual abuse at a California correctional facility.
Realizing an injury from sexual abuse later in life is extremely common among juvenile inmates, as they are limited in their ability to seek help. If they complain to an administrator or another employee, they may be threatened or talked out of filing a formal complaint. It doesn’t help that many of these kids do not have a stable home environment, so they lack the support system that’s critical for a child that was sexually abused.
This is why juvenile hall inmates suppress incidents of assault and harassment, but at some point, the trauma is too much to bear. As a result, many of these kids grow into adults with serious, lifelong mental health issues. These are examples of injuries resulting from sexual abuse, but it can take the victim many years before they come to this realization. Whenever the date of discovery happens, you have 5 years from that point to file a Ventura Youth Correctional Facility sexual abuse lawsuit.
Contact a Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Our legal team is ready to guide you through the legal process and ensure that the State of California is held accountable for their failure to protect you from a sexual predator. We have a dedicated team of Ventura Youth Correctional Facility sexual abuse lawyers, who are ready to fight for you and the compensation you deserve. All you have to do is contact our office and schedule a free, confidential case review.
Victims never pay for the cost of legal fees here at Normandie Law Firm, since we charge the State of California for all expenses. We only receive payment by recovering your settlement, so if you don’t get paid from a successful lawsuit, neither do we.
The road to recovery begins with a free initial consultation, so please give us a call to speak with a lawyer who can sue Ventura Youth Correctional Facility for sexual abuse of an inmate.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
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Lawyer for Sexual Abuse at John A. Davis Juvenile Hall
