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Photo: Hillcrest, OR Youth Correctional Facility; via Wikipedia.
Three additional lawsuits were filed Thursday accusing former Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) staff members of sexually abusing youth in state custody, intensifying an already sprawling legal crisis for the state’s juvenile justice system, Oregon Public Broadcasting‘s Lauren Dake reported yesterday. These latest filings join a growing number of complaints alleging that OYA maintained a culture of neglect and silence in the face of abuse.
The most recent cases involve a group life coordinator, a former correctional officer, and a pediatrician—all accused of misconduct against minors held in OYA-run facilities. A plaintiff’s attorney representing the survivors stated that the lawsuits point to a systemic failure rather than a few “bad apples.” According to the attorney, OYA “protected predators” while discouraging youth from speaking out.
Three women accuse a former correctional officer at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility of abusing them between 1999 and 2008, starting when they were as young as 15. The plaintiffs claim the officer engaged in inappropriate and invasive behavior while supervising them. Another survivor says she was abused by a group life coordinator at Oak Creek beginning at age 16. She reported the incident to Oregon State Police in 2011. A separate suit alleges that when a boy at Hillcrest tried to disclose his abuse, he was told he would lose access to family visits if he did not stay quiet.
The lawsuits also add to ongoing claims against Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, a longtime pediatrician for OYA who passed away in February. He is now named in legal actions filed by 51 survivors. The claims collectively seek over $250 million in damages.
These lawsuits come as the OYA faces increasing scrutiny for its past handling of abuse allegations. Earlier reporting revealed a backlog of unresolved complaints and whistleblower accounts suggesting that many staff members were aware of patterns of misconduct and failed to act.
SurvivorsRights.com has previously covered related lawsuits, including ten additional claims against Edwards involving men who say they were abused under the guise of medical care while detained at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. Several plaintiffs in that case alleged they were forced to continue treatment with Edwards even after voicing concerns.
In another pending case, a $51 million lawsuit alleges that staff used Edwards as a form of coercion, threatening detainees with medical appointments as punishment. According to a plaintiff’s attorney, the alleged abuse was not only tolerated but in some instances leveraged by staff to manipulate youth behavior.
Following the growing legal pressure and public outcry, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek fired OYA Director Joe O’Leary in March. His termination followed revelations of a significant backlog in the agency’s Professional Standards Office, which is responsible for investigating staff misconduct and compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
OYA currently oversees around 900 youth between the ages of 12 and 24 across five correctional and four transitional facilities. Some youths are later transferred to the state’s adult prison system.
A spokesperson for OYA, Will Howell, responded to the lawsuits, stating, “The conduct alleged is abhorrent, and Oregonians can count on OYA to act swiftly and decisively when individuals undermine our work. Youth safety is paramount.”
Survivors and advocates continue to call for an independent investigation and far-reaching reform to prevent further abuse. As more victims come forward and lawsuits accumulate, attention is growing on the state’s responsibility to protect vulnerable youth in its custody—and its past failure to do so.
If you or someone you know was harmed while in OYA custody, learn your legal options by visiting our guide to Institutional Abuse lawsuits or our Oregon Sexual Abuse Attorney page. You may also see if you are eligible for possible compensation by filling out the brief, confidential form below.
