The state of Arkansas contracts the operations of its juvenile correctional facilities to private, for-profit companies, which often focus on profits rather than inmate safety. As a result, the rates of sexual abuse and sexual assault recorded in Arkansas juvenile detention centers are among the highest in the nation [1].
It’s important to note that the majority of sexual abuse is never reported to the appropriate authorities.
The experienced legal team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers helps victims pursue justice in civil sexual assault cases. We use our legal expertise to maximize the amount of financial compensation awarded.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Our child sexual abuse lawyers can help you in the process of seeking compensation after suffering from sex abuse while detained in juvenile detention facilities.
Track Record for Large Settlements
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a strong track record of securing large settlements in sexual abuse and personal injury cases. To date, we’ve recovered more than $450 million for our clients.
Experience in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
You don’t want to choose just any personal injury lawyer to represent you. It’s important to select a sexual abuse lawyer with experience working on these types of claims in the context of juvenile detention centers. These sexual assault claims can be incredibly nuanced, so it is imperative that you work with a team that can set your case up for success.
Nationwide Resources
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a law firm with nationwide resources ready to help sexual abuse survivors file claims against the specific staff member who hurt them or against the correctional facilities, as a whole. No matter which county or jurisdiction you live in, our sexual assault lawyers are here to help.
Dedicated Legal Team
One of the keys to our success is having a dedicated legal team that works on sexual abuse and assault cases against juvenile detention centers. It doesn’t matter if the case is against the juvenile detention center or a staff member. We have everything that we need to take the case, as our legal team has decades of combined experience.
Confidentiality and Privacy
We are dedicated to helping survivors of rape, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual abuse with confidentiality and complete privacy. We know that it is incredibly difficult to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse and to discuss what happened to you. Our entire team focuses on confidentiality and sensitivity throughout the legal process.
Understanding Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse
Studies suggest that the number of abusers and abused inmates is higher than originally thought. This means that every year, many cases of sexual assault and abuse in juvenile detention centers go unreported or ignored by authorities.
The inmates in these facilities are vulnerable to sexual predators because many of their abusers are the staff at the facility. Not only are they dependent on these staff members for everyday activities and necessities, but they are also isolated from outside authorities, which gives them limited access to assistance.
Youth inmates are considered vulnerable individuals for other reasons, too. They often have very little experience in romantic relationships and can easily be subjected to tactics such as grooming.
It has been reported that Rite of Passage (ROP), the contractor that runs four juvenile detention centers in Arkansas, allowed juvenile detainees to be sexually abused, denied sexual assault survivors access to therapy services, and isolated youth in their care for extended periods of time.
According to an Arkansas Juvenile Ombudsman, there was staff verbal abuse and racial slurs, failure to seek timely medical care, and other very dangerous conditions. [2]
In a report published by the United States Department of Justice, some of the nation’s juvenile detention facilities with the highest rate of sexual victimization. In particular, the Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center had a sexual victimization rate of 14.3% [3].
Common Forms of Youth Detention Center Abuse
There are many types of sexual violence that take place within the walls of a juvenile detention facility, including:
- Rape – Forcing vulnerable inmates to participate in sexual intercourse against their will.
- Sexual assault – Performing sexual activities on vulnerable inmates by force.
- Child sex abuse – Forcing sexual activities on underage inmates.
- Staff sexual misconduct – Staff members being involved in inappropriate sexual activities, including verbal and other forms of sexual conduct with inmates.
Eligibility to File a Youth Detention Center Sexual Abuse Claim
Under Arkansas law, sexual abuse survivors and their parents or legal guardians can file civil claims against juvenile detention facilities and the sexual predators who work there.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit in Arkansas
The statute of limitations is the amount of time that you have to file sexual abuse claims. In child sexual abuse cases, this usually starts when the child turns 18, the age of majority. In Arkansas, victims of childhood sexual abuse now have until age 55 to seek justice.
However, in 2023, the state passed a law known as the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act that allowed everyone to come forward retroactively for two years, even if the statute of limitations already passed in their case [4].
Even if you have many years left to file a child sex abuse claim, it is important to start the process as soon as you are able to. Evidence can be lost, witness testimony becomes unreliable, and the person responsible could die without being held accountable.
Starting the process as soon as possible gives your lawyer the best chance of building the strongest case possible.
Arkansas Youth Detention Facilities
How Our Arkansas Youth Detention Center Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Help
Our law firm is prepared to help you seek justice through the civil court system. We will oversee and handle the entire process so you can focus on your well-being and getting the support you need while we take care of all the details.
Free Case Evaluation
We’ll give you more information about your legal options so that you can feel comfortable deciding what legal action to take, if any. We will not pressure you to file a lawsuit or to do anything that you’re uncomfortable doing.
Building Your Case
Your sexual abuse lawyer will build your case by investigating any allegations of sexual abuse. They will also look into the staff and records of the juvenile detention facility to see if there is a pattern of behavior that contributes to sexual assault.
Your lawyer will look for any evidence of inappropriate behaviors that can be used to show what happened to you and how the facility enabled or handled the situation. In many cases, there is an ongoing pattern of behavior that can show that the facility likely covered up or enabled the sexual assault.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
After building your legal case, it’s time to file a civil lawsuit for financial compensation in the appropriate court for your jurisdiction, based on where you live now and where the sexual abuse occurred. We’ll manage this entire process, from preparing court documents to following up with the proper channels.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
It may be possible to negotiate a fair outcome for your case. In many instances, our experienced attorneys are able to avoid having to go to court without compromising on the size of the settlement. This allows the case to end without having the victim give testimony in court, which can sometimes be preferable.
Handling Potential Outcomes
There are three potential outcomes of filing a civil lawsuit after being sexually assaulted.
Settlement Through Negotiation
In most cases, a settlement can be reached before going through legal proceedings in court. This can be preferable, as it often takes less time, requires fewer court fees, and means that the victim does not necessarily have to testify in front of a judge and jury.
Some victims of childhood sexual abuse or those who have been sexually assaulted as adults understandably do not want to confront their abusers in court. However, some cases cannot be settled for a fair amount without going to court.
Win Jury Award
Another potential outcome is to go to trial and win. Sometimes, this can garner very large high-value settlements, as the judge and jury will be able to hear your story of sex abuse.
Lose Jury Award
Not every child sexual abuse case wins in court. In some cases, the jury might deem there isn’t enough evidence or other factors that impede a win. In such cases, we will help you seek justice through an appeal.
Compensation for Youth Detention Center Sexual Abuse Victims
There are different types of damages possible in your sexual abuse case against a juvenile detention center, based on the circumstances of what happened to you.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those tangible expenses related to your sexual assault, which may include:
- Medical bills
- Therapy costs
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation fees
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the costs of damages that do not have a specific cost to them. For example, many cases include a pain and suffering claim, which cannot be measured in dollars. Instead, the amount is determined by several factors, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Punitive Damages
While rare, it is possible that the judge will add punitive damages to your case. Punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party for especially bad behavior. It is intended to dissuade similar behaviors from happening again in the future.
Factors Influencing Settlement Size
It’s impossible to guarantee or predict with 100% accuracy how much you can expect to receive as a settlement after being sexually abused in a juvenile detention center. Some of the factors that influence the size of a settlement include:
- The severity of the sexual abuse
- How long it went on
- Who was involved
- Its long-term impacts
Your lawyer can give you an idea of how much your case will likely settle for based on these factors and what previous cases similar to yours have settled for. This can be a good educated guess that will give you an idea of what is possible.
Contact Our Arkansas Youth Detention Center Abuse Attorneys Today!
Being sexually abused at a juvenile detention center is a traumatic experience, but you can move forward with the right help. That means that you may file a lawsuit against your abuser, and the results may help you pay for the recovery resources that you need. To do this, you need an experienced sexual abuse lawyer by your side. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work with victims of abuse, including those abused in juvenile detention centers.
With decades of experience in personal injury cases, we have everything we need to take on institutions that think they can get away with covering up sexual abuse. We work on a contingency basis, so you won’t owe anything until we win your case.
Don’t stay silent about your abuse until it is too late. Call us any time, 24/7, to schedule a confidential consultation about your case. Contact us by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757.
Resources: [1] Arkansas Online, [2] Arkansas Advocate, [3] DOJ, [4] KARK