Crisis of Child Sexual Abuse in Maryland’s Youth Detention Centers
Recently News Fox5 Washington DC reported on the staggering number of lawsuits filed against various Maryland juvenile detention centers. Their report highlights the ongoing sexual abuse cases being reported at nearly all of the Maryland’s youth detention facilities that have taken place from the 1980s to 2019.
BREAKING: March 7, 2024: Judge says Maryland Child Victims Act constitutional.
The first constitutional challenge to a significant law in Maryland, which grants survivors of childhood sexual abuse the ability to file lawsuits regardless of the time that has passed since the alleged abuse occurred, was overcome on Wednesday.
However, it is anticipated that an appeal to the state Supreme Court will promptly follow. Judge Robin D. Gill Bright determined that the 2023 Child Victims Act is constitutional, delivering a victory to survivors who have persistently fought for the opportunity to bring legal claims against their abusers and the institutions that protected them.
“This is a momentous day for survivors of sexual abuse in Maryland,” expressed Jonathan Schochor, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Washington. In court, the Archdiocese argued that lawmakers could not retroactively eliminate the statute of limitations that applied to such claims.
While the constitutionality of the law is being challenged in other jurisdictions, this ruling on Wednesday sets a precedent and is likely to be appealed. The impact it will have on other pending lawsuits remains uncertain, but there is a possibility that they may be temporarily halted to avoid conflicting decisions until the Supreme Court can provide further guidance.
The story published on January 16, 2024 is the most recent news about the growing problem across the state.
In October of 2023, a new law (Maryland’s Child Victims Act) now greatly extents the statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors to file abuse claims against their abusers.
The day this bill was signed 50 adult abuse survivors, many now in their 60’s, came forth and filed lawsuits against both the state and two of it’s agencies alleging repeated sexual abuse as youths, some as young as 7 years old, whom were jailed under the juvenile justice system.
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Our team of child abuse attorneys are gravely concerned about this injustice and are reaching out to survivors no matter how long ago the trauma happened.
Child sexual abuse claims against Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services have a long history. In 2004 the United States Department of Justice found clear evidence of “significant physical abuse” by staff at two of Maryland’s facilities.
In a 2006 report from the Civil Rights Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General that concluded conditions and practices at Baltimore’s juvenile facility constituted a “dangerous and often chaotic prison-like environment” where youths’ constitutional and federal statutory rights were regularly violated.
A Class Action Lawsuit in Maryland has now been filed on behave of the survivors.
The class action lawsuit alleges that the State of Maryland is responsible for creating, enabling, promoting, and facilitating decades of sexual abuse of detained children by staff members within the juvenile detention system. At various times, Maryland’s juvenile detention system has included at least 13 different facilities operated or managed by the State.
Examples of Alleged Abuse Exhibited in Maryland’s Youth Detention Centers
- Coercion or Threats: Attempting / Forcing a detainee to engage in sexual activities against their will.
- Exhibitionism & Voyeurism Involving Minors: Forcing a minor to observe sexual acts or exposing oneself to a minor.
- Exploitation: Taking advantage of a detainee’s vulnerability for sexual activities.
- Grooming: Actions from Adults aimed at gaining a child’s trust for sexual manipulation.
- Inappropriate Relationships: Romantic or sexual relationships between staff and minor detainees.
- Indecent Exposure to Minors: Engaging in indecent exposure in front of a minor.
- Sexual Assault and Rape: Sexual intercourse or penetration with a minor.
- Sexual Contact: Touching or physical contact of a sexual nature, even without penetration.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or requests for sexual favors that create an intimidating environment.
Locations and Names of Youth Detention Centers / Juvenile Facilities in Maryland
- Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center (temporarily closed)
- Backbone Mountain Youth Center
- Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center
- Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School
- Charles H. Hickey, Jr. Structured Shelter Care Program
- Cheltenham Youth Detention Center
- Garrett Children’s Center (temporarily closed)
- Green Ridge Youth Center
- Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center
- Montrose
- Mountain View (closed)
- Thomas J.S. Waxter Children’s Center (closed)
- Victor Cullen Center
- Western Maryland Children’s Center
Learn more on Reporting Juvenile Detention Center Abuse in Maryland.
Steps for Maryland Child Sex Abuse Survivors to Take
1. Consult with our Experienced Attorneys
The first step for survivors seeking justice is to consult with our team of experienced attorneys who specializes in Maryland child sexual abuse cases. We will be able to help you navigate the complex legal process and provide guidance on the best course of action. We keep all of your information private, we understand the pain and suffering that took place. By taking action against these Maryland youth detention centers, you’ll help others avoid the abuse that took place.
2. Gather Documentation and Evidence
Survivors should gather any documentation and evidence they have related to the abuse, including medical records, therapy notes, and any written or recorded statements from the abuser or witnesses. This evidence will be crucial in building a strong case against the state.
3. File an Abuse Claim against the Maryland Youth Detention Center
Once the evidence is gathered, the next step is to file a claim against the YDC in Maryland. This may involve filing a lawsuit or submitting a claim through the settlement fund, depending on the survivor’s individual circumstances and preferences.
4. Work with the Attorney throughout the Legal Process
Survivors should maintain open communication with our law firm throughout the legal process, providing any additional information or documentation as needed. This will help ensure that their case is as strong as possible.
5. Seek Emotional Support and Healing
Finally, it is essential for survivors to seek emotional support and healing throughout the legal process. This may involve therapy, support groups, or connecting with other survivors. The road to justice and closure can be long and challenging, but the support of others can make all the difference.
Take Action Now.
The sexual abuse allegations at Maryland’s youth detention centers has shed light on a dark chapter in the states history. It’s not new problem and we will take legal actions against any of the states youth juvenile facilities.
As the Maryland’s statute of limitations has been extended, it is imperative that survivors take action now to secure the justice, compensation, and closure they deserve.
By consulting with our experienced sex abuse attorneys, gathering evidence, and seeking emotional support, survivors can navigate the complex legal landscape and ensure their voices are heard.
If you or someone you love is a survivor of abuse in any youth detention centers in Maryland, we encourage you to take action now, we intend to hold them responsible for the pain and suffering that occurred at their facilities. Use the 100% Secure intake form above, or call us direct at 1-800-631-5656.
Sources:
Page: Maryland Youth Detention Center Lawsuits & Lawyers Updated on March 19, 2025.