A group of nearly 70 individuals have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse during their time in detention centers in Pennsylvania. These accusers claim to have been victims of abuse while housed in various juvenile facilities across the state, with some stating they were repeatedly raped by staff members and threatened if they reported the abuse. The lawsuits target 10 different facilities, including state-operated ones, where the plaintiffs assert that their reports of abuse were ignored and that the facilities failed to protect them.
According to the accusers' lawyers, the operators of these facilities prioritized profit over the safety of the children in their care. The lawsuits highlight instances of sexual abuse at facilities such as Merakey USA’s Northwestern Academy, which has since closed, and state-run centers like Loysville Youth Development Center and South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has stated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and harassment, emphasizing the importance of protecting the well-being of children in licensed facilities. The department conducts audits of juvenile justice facilities every three years to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Other facilities named in the lawsuits include those operated by organizations like Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and VisionQuest National Ltd. of Tucson, Arizona. Some facilities have closed, while others are facing allegations of abusive behavior by staff members.
Efforts to address issues within Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system have been ongoing, with a task force identifying the over-incarceration of juvenile offenders and racial disparities in prosecutions. Legislative proposals aimed at reforming the system, including the establishment of an independent Office of Child Advocate, are under consideration.
The lawsuits, filed by a New York-based law firm, seek justice for individuals who were subjected to sexual abuse as children in Pennsylvania's juvenile facilities. The plaintiffs, born after November 26, 1989, are pursuing legal action in accordance with the state's standards for claims of childhood sexual abuse.
