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Hi - I’m Reed. I am an experienced attorney licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. I am an advocate for each and every client and my passion is representing and fighting for victims of sexual assault. My team and I are ready to help you.
Our Missouri sex assault lawyers have recently been retained to investigate and file civil claims to obtain justice for child abuse endured at Watkins Mill Park Camp School. Our client was at the Watkins Mill Park Camp School run by the Division of Youth Services in Lawson, Missouri. Our client alleges that they were sexually assaulted by an employee of the Division of Youth Services while attending the camp.
If you have any information that may be relevant to our investigation, contact us today and speak with our experienced team of abuse lawyers. We encourage the following groups of people to step forward in confidence:
As with typical reviews of cases, we look at various rating platforms to see if there are complaints.
In reviewing the Watkins Mill, Division of Youth Services, company reviews on Indeed.com, we saw 55 reviews from employees with an average rating of 3.45 out of 5 stars, as of February 12, 2021.
In a review left by a 7-year employee in 2019, they rated the facility a 2 out of 5 stars, stating "The culture has changed from doing fun things that helped teenagers grow to a prison like environment..."
A common thread across the employee reviews leaving poor ratings is there was a lack of staff and the staff was expected to work long hours.
Upon reviewing the Google Maps reviews, Watkins Mills Park Camp has 4.7 stars out 5 with 21 reviews. Most of the reviews do not provide any information, and the ones that do appear to give advice for camping and picnicking in the park itself, not a review of the facility.
When our lawyers first learned of the alleged abuse from speaking with a client who was a student at the Watkins Mill Park Camp facility, we were outraged.
The Division of Youth Services was established to help the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders ranging from 12-17 years old. There was an emphasis on smaller treatment facilities to provide quality services. The Watkins Mill Camp School is one of three of the 37 sites run by the Division of Youth Services that is located within a state park. In addition to normal schooling, the students spend time within the state park to improve and maintain the grounds.
The school houses both male and female students, with two dormitories for each gender, ranging from 12-14 bunk beds. There are six classrooms, art room, medical exam room, medical office and a dining/multi-purpose room, in addition to other administrative offices.
In an audit report done in July 2020, it was found that the facility conducts unannounced rounds to identify and deter staff sexual abuse and sexual harassment, during both day and night shifts.
When ready to get justice, contact our team of Missouri sexual abuse lawyers. We will advise you as to your legal rights, make you aware of the process, and give you all the information we can so you can decide if you would like to move forward with a civil claim against the school, and all those who enabled the abuse to occur.
Our investigation is underway and we will continue to update with more information. If you have any information that may assist in our investigation, contact our team of attorneys today.
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