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Hi - I'm Guy. I am an attorney that practices in Pennsylvania. I am a former sex crimes prosecutor and my day-to-day cases are almost exclusively helping survivors of sexual abuse get justice. My team and I are ready to help.
Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system is under intense scrutiny following a series of lawsuits filed on behalf of 67 former residents alleging widespread child abuse in nearly a dozen juvenile detention and residential treatment facilities across the state. These legal actions shine a light on deeply troubling accusations of institutionalized sexual abuse in Pennsylvania spanning two decades.
The lawsuits target several facilities, including:
Additionally, three state-run facilities are implicated: Loysville Youth Development Center, North Central Secure Treatment Unit, and South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit.
According to Jerome Block, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, the abuse described in the lawsuits is severe and systemic. Many clients report being raped or forced to perform sexual acts while in the care of these facilities. The allegations paint a disturbing picture of a system meant to rehabilitate young offenders instead causing profound trauma.
The plaintiffs, all now adults, are seeking damages for the trauma they allegedly endured. Block emphasized that instead of providing rehabilitation and education, the system left many of these individuals "damaged, traumatized and broken."
In light of these allegations, there are calls for Governor Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Michelle Henry to launch an investigation into the juvenile justice system. Additionally, advocates are pushing for legal reforms to allow older cases to be filed, suggesting a two-year revival window for cases that fall outside the current statute of limitations.
The allegations against Pennsylvania's juvenile facilities are being compared to the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, highlighting a culture of secrecy that prioritizes protecting staff over the safety of children. This case adds to a troubling pattern of abuse allegations in youth placement facilities across the commonwealth over the past decade.
Guy D'Andrea, Esq., of Abuse Guardians, comments on the case: "These allegations are deeply disturbing and highlight a systemic failure in our juvenile justice system. The institutions entrusted with the care and rehabilitation of young offenders have allegedly become sites of horrific abuse. It's crucial that we not only seek justice for these victims but also push for comprehensive reforms to prevent such abuses from occurring in the future. The proposed legal reforms to extend the statute of limitations are essential in ensuring that all victims have their day in court, regardless of when the abuse occurred."
As these lawsuits progress, they will likely prompt serious discussions about oversight, accountability, and reform within Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system. The outcome of these cases could have far-reaching implications for how the state handles the care and rehabilitation of young offenders in the future.
Source:
https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvania-juvenile-detention-center-abuse-lawsuit/
