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About the Settlement
Following years of investigation by the Department of Justice and other authorities, Los Angeles County has agreed to create a $4 billion settlement fund for victims of sexual abuse at juvenile detention facilities and foster care going back several decades.
So far, more than 7,000 victims have come forward to file claims, alleging abuse as far back as 1959 and ranging into the 2000s. Authorities have identified dozens of facilities and care homes where abuse may have taken place.
This 2025 sex abuse settlement is by far the largest in history. In recent years, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Archdiocese, University of Southern California, and Michigan State University have paid out similar, but smaller, sex abuse settlements.
The settlement fund was made possible by a 2020 California state law that expanded the definition of "Child Sex Abuse" and extended the time available for victims to file lawsuits.
Victims now have until the age of 40 to file a claim, or 5 years after they discover their psychological injury was the result of childhood sexual assault — whichever is later.
The settlement distributions are expected to begin in January 2026 under the guidance of former Superior Court Judge Louis Meisinger, and take approximately 5 years to complete. It is recommended that you begin the process as early as possible.
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Where Abuse Occurred
Although attention has centered around abuse at LA County facilities, victims have alleged abuse at many other detention facilities around the state. Below is a partial list of the California juvenile detention facilities alleged to have allowed abuse:
If you were detained at any of the above facilities, or others throughout the state of California, and suffered sexual abuse, it's important to speak with a lawyer to learn your rights to file a claim.
What Qualifies
California law defines sexual abuse as any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact. It also explicitly states that minors under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sexual interactions with adults. Therefore, any sexual act or encounter involving juvenile detainees and adult staff members or guards is, by definition, sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse that occurs in juvenile detention facilities can come in many forms of misconduct, including:
It's crucial to recognize the unique vulnerability of minors within detention facilities. The deeply embedded power dynamics in these environments heighten the risk of abuse. Juveniles depend heavily on staff for basic needs, security, and emotional support — creating conditions ripe for abuse by those entrusted with their care.
If you or a loved one suffered any of these offenses while in a California juvenile detention facility, it's important to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights to compensation.
Speak With a Lawyer TodayFind Out If You Qualify
County officials have acknowledged that for decades they failed to monitor signs of abuse in their juvenile centers, failed to properly screen staff to protect minors, and failed to properly discipline or remove the worst offenders.
While they've finally taken steps to protect those detained in juvenile centers in the future, this does nothing to heal those who've suffered in the past. Only your own lawyer can make sure you receive the full compensation to which you're entitled.
Review My Case — FreeAvailable Compensation
By filing a lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for a multitude of damages suffered, including:
Case Timeline
Legal Help Available
If you or a family member suffered sexual abuse while at a California juvenile facility or foster care, it's important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. They can help determine your legal rights and whether you're entitled to compensation from the settlement fund.
For more than a decade, the Sexual Abuse Center has connected victims with the legal help they deserve.
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Our attorneys specialize in sexual abuse litigation. Always free & confidential. Speak with a lawyer today.