– Updated on August 8, 2025
Thousands of minors spent time in juvenile detention centers in Illinois and across the country. While these centers are supposed to hold these offenders accountable for their actions, keep them safer than they would be in an adult prison, and help them rehabilitate and make better choices in the future, many children confined in these centers suffered unimaginable abuse.
If you or a loved one suffered abuse at a juvenile detention center, you can take action. We know this is a scary step to take, but knowing how to file a juvenile detention center sexual abuse claim can make the process more straightforward. It’s also important that you know you don’t need to (and shouldn’t) handle this process alone. A juvenile detention center abuse lawyer is here to help with every aspect of your case.
Do I Qualify for a Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Claim?
The first step is to determine if you may qualify to file a claim. The best way to do this is by having a law firm like ours hear your story. We recommend that you call us if some of the following apply to you:
- You experienced sexual misconduct, such as rape, groping/unwanted touching, filming of child sexual abuse material (child porn), exposure of sexual organs, or any other sexual acts, at a juvenile detention center in Illinois. (It is important to note that even if you think you did, in exchange for better treatment or for another reason, you did not consent to the abuse you suffered. You are a survivor of exploitation, and this was not your fault.)
- You know the name of the facility you were previously detained in and who abused you. If you do not know their name, a specific description of them will be helpful.
- The abuse occurred before you turned 22.
- The perpetrator was affiliated with the center where you were confined.
A lawyer can also help if you are the victim of a cover-up, regardless of whether the perpetrator was a staff member or another resident.
Abused in a Juvenile Dentention Center?
How Long Do I Have to Take a Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawsuit?
How long you have to take action after a juvenile detention center abuse case depends on the specifics.
If you were under 18 when the abuse occurred, there is no statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a time limit on filing a lawsuit.
Illinois eliminated its civil statute of limitations on child sex abuse in 2017. This change in law gives survivors as much time as they need to prepare themselves to come to terms with their experience and come forward to tell their stories.
If you were 18 or older when the abuse occurred, how much time you have to act depends on where you were confined.
- If the abuse happened at a private detention facility, the abuse must have occurred in 2015 or later.
- If the abuse happened at a publicly owned detention facility, the abuse should be within one year and 90 days.
A juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawyer near you can help you determine how much time you have to act. We recommend that you call us as soon as possible so we can protect your right to seek justice.
What Can I Recover in a Juvenile Detention Abuse Case?
Sexual abuse can affect survivors for decades, often for the rest of their lives. It can cause health issues, lead to substance abuse or suicidality, create problems trusting others, and make it difficult or impossible to hold down a job. You may qualify for compensation for all your losses, including:
- Medical expenses, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or substance abuse
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Miscellaneous expenses related to the abuse you suffered
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
Let our law firm partners fight for the compensation and justice you need to begin moving forward.
What Is the Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Claim?
Hundreds of people in Illinois and more across the nation have sued for the sexual abuse they suffered while confined to juvenile detention centers. These lawsuits allege physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that the centers knew about and failed to prevent. Some of the lawsuits also allege that these centers covered up the abuse and allowed it to continue unchecked for decades.
Want to File a Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Claim?
How a Lawyer Can Help With Your Case
A juvenile detention center abuse case can be overwhelming, especially if you are required to discuss what happened to you. An attorney provides legal guidance and emotional support throughout the process by:
- Gathering and preserving evidence related to the abuse, including medical records, witness statements, and facility reports
- Handling complex legal procedures and meeting all critical deadlines, such as statutes of limitations and notice of claim requirements
- Handling all communications with government agencies, detention facilities, and opposing counsel
- Protecting survivors from retraumatization by serving as a buffer throughout the legal process
Most importantly, a lawyer provides compassionate, confidential support while fighting for justice and the compensation you need.
Resources for Abuse Survivors
You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone, and you don’t have to. Our law firm partners are here to support you and will do everything possible to make this process as straightforward and painless as possible.
There are other resources available to you.
- Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) operates 31 crisis centers that offer 24/7 crisis intervention services, advocacy, and counseling.
- The Center for Prevention of Abuse operates a Crisis Hotline: 1-800-559-SAFE (7233).
- Family Resources offers survivor services in Illinois and Iowa. You can find support groups and counseling and therapy. The crisis hotline is 309-797-1777.
Get Help Filing a Detention Center Sex Abuse Claim
Survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers deserve justice, healing, and unwavering support. Taking swift action is crucial to preserve evidence, meet legal deadlines, and begin the path toward accountability and recovery. If you or a loved one has experienced abuse, don’t face it alone; contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney for confidential guidance and to explore your legal options with compassion and clarity.
The Goldwater Law Firm is on mission to help as many people as possible with the fierce, compassionate legal aid only The Gold Standard of Injury Law can offer. If you suffered serious side effects or were diagnosed with an illness because of a defective drug or product, or if you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, Attorney Bob Goldwater and the Goldwater Law Firm is ready to serve as your compassionate partner in the fight to seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
Share this post:
