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Photo credit: San Diego County Government
San Diego County is facing a wave of lawsuits from at least two dozen individuals who allege they were sexually abused by probation officers while in juvenile detention. The lawsuits describe a systemic failure to protect minors held in county-run facilities, with claims of abuse spanning decades. These legal actions were made possible by a 2019 California law extending the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual assault, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kristen Taketa reported.
The plaintiffs recount harrowing experiences, alleging they were ordered to meet officers in bathrooms or showers where they were assaulted, or they were attacked in their own cells at night. Some claim they were threatened with extended confinement or physical violence if they resisted or reported the abuse. Many describe the abuse as frequent, in some cases occurring almost daily and lasting for years.
Despite reporting their experiences, many say their complaints were ignored or dismissed. The lawsuits argue that San Diego County failed to properly vet probation officers, intervene to prevent misconduct, investigate complaints, or hold perpetrators accountable.
Widespread Allegations and Legal Action
The lawsuits detail allegations of sexual abuse dating as far back as 1970 and as recently as 2022. Most of the reported cases occurred between the 1990s and 2010s, falling within the time frame permitted under the extended statute of limitations. The majority of the allegations stem from the now-closed Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, though abuse is also alleged to have taken place at Rancho Del Campo Juvenile Ranch, Camp Barrett, East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, and the Girls Rehabilitation Facility.
“It was swept under the rug,” one plaintiff said. “The girls started questioning whether anyone really cared about the things that we have to share or say, and it just kind of became part of the culture—‘This is allowed here.’”
The San Diego County Probation Department stated that it has a “zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment” and emphasized that all allegations are investigated and referred to law enforcement when appropriate. However, attorneys representing survivors say that systemic issues within the juvenile justice system have allowed abuse to persist unchecked.
The Lasting Impact of Abuse
For many survivors, the trauma of the abuse has had profound and lasting effects on their lives. One plaintiff, who said she was assaulted at the Kearny Mesa facility when she was 16, described how the experience led to postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and difficulty maintaining relationships.
“I can’t continue to live my life and give him the opportunity to ruin the most beautiful things in my life, which he has,” she said.
Another plaintiff, who was 12 when he was allegedly blindfolded, zip-tied, and assaulted by an officer, said he initially confided in his mother but was reassured that officers could be trusted. Others reported being lured into empty rooms under false pretenses, given psychiatric medication that left them vulnerable, or threatened with indefinite confinement if they refused to comply with demands for sexual acts.
The lawsuits also highlight cases where survivors say they reported the abuse but were ignored. Some claim officers who were accused of sexual misconduct were merely transferred to other units or placed on temporary leave before returning to their roles, where they continued to victimize youth.
Structural Vulnerabilities in Juvenile Detention
Advocates argue that the nature of juvenile detention centers—closed environments with limited oversight and restricted communication with the outside world—creates conditions that allow abuse to flourish.
“Youths are imprisoned in a facility where they have to follow orders and are told they can trust adult officers,” said juvenile justice consultant Jason Szanyi. “The power dynamics and positions of authority are huge, and those can be exploited.”
Youth detainees are particularly vulnerable due to their age and prior histories of abuse, making them less likely to recognize or report sexual misconduct. Attorneys note that minors are often dismissed or disbelieved, making it easier for predators within the system to continue their abuse.
Attorneys from ACTS Law, which is representing many of the plaintiffs, argue that the county’s failure to implement adequate safeguards allowed widespread abuse to persist for decades.
“Minors are ideal victims due to age and vulnerability, giving officers prime targets to sexually exploit under the guise that when they complain, it would fall on ‘deaf ears,’” attorneys wrote in their lawsuits.
Lack of Accountability and Record Destruction
As the lawsuits move forward, attorneys are seeking access to records that could provide insight into how the county handled misconduct complaints. However, San Diego County has stated in court filings that many of these records have been destroyed. Under county policy, facility documents, statistics, and other probation-related records are discarded after five years.
An attorney who is representing numerous plaintiffs in both San Diego and Los Angeles County said her legal team is working to obtain records related to staffing, misconduct investigations, and internal oversight practices.
Despite the county’s stated policies, survivors and their advocates argue that the probation department failed to take meaningful action to prevent abuse.
With legal battles ahead, survivors hope their cases will not only bring justice for past victims but also prompt systemic changes to prevent future abuses in juvenile detention facilities.
