Twenty women filed court papers Wednesday alleging at least 10 Los Angeles County probation officers and staff members subjected them to sexual abuse, harassment and rape throughout their confinement as minors at Camp Joseph Scott.
The still-unofficial Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges the abuses took place from 1996 through 2001 at the detention facility for juveniles convicted of criminal offenses and operated by the county Probation Department. The camp closed in 2020. At the time of the alleged abuse, Camp Scott housed females aged 12 to 18.
“This action seeks to vindicate the rights of numerous women who were sexually abused, harassed and molested at the hands of Los Angeles County deputy probation officers and employees,” the plaintiffs’ court papers state. A representative for the county did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
According to the plaintiffs, sexual harassment, assault and rape of vulnerable child inmates by deputy probation officers, acting as guards, was rampant and was ignored by supervisors. The alleges abuses “were committed for no other reason than to satisfy the (alleged) perpetrators’ own prurient sexual desires at the expense, suffering and demise of vulnerable and defenseless juveniles,” according to the plaintiffs’ court papers.
Plaintiffs’ attorney John Manly said the case highlights an alleged culture of child sexual abuse that has existed throughout the Los Angeles County juvenile probation system for decades.
“Vulnerable children often enter the system because of abuse they have suffered at home or on the streets,” Manly said in a statement. “The probation system should offer these youthful offenders restorative justice instead of perpetuating their cycle of abuse. The criminal conduct of those who used their positions of authority to sexually assault these children must be exposed. These despicable people and those who enabled them must be held accountable.”
Los Angeles County probation officers are responsible for protecting 3,000 youths in 21 halls and camps in one of the nation’s largest juvenile justice systems. During the past two decades the Probation Department facilities have been riddled with accusations of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and rape of boys and girls by officers and employees who are both male and female, the plaintiffs allege.
As a result of the alleged abuses, the plaintiffs now lack trust in males and authority figures, struggle with interpersonal relationships, suffer from nausea and headaches, experience flashbacks and have difficulty sleeping, the plaintiffs’ court papers state.
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Juvenile Detention says
This is going to cost LAC taxpayers millions.
Eric says
That is so said, sounds like an ambulance chaser attorney is trying to cash in on allegations over 20 years ago. I worked in those camps never once did I hear about any female being abused. We always had female staff with us when interacting with the wards. In my opinion this is a frivolous lawsuit, so sad.
Tim Scott says
Never once? Of all the places operating female detention facilities I find it hard to imagine that the ONE that was absolutely perfect was operated by LA County Probation. It is easier for me to believe that you personally are, and were, a recognizably straight shooter that was not cut in on “the action” going on behind your back.
FWB says
What Tim said
Alter Boy says
Perhaps if were only one, or two, or three, but this is twenty!!
And maybe more over the years that just haven’t come forward yet.
This is not looking good for the bureaucrats.
You just got to believe if it was happening at probation, then most likely happening in dcfs.
Laura rose pierce says
I was one of the first girls At that camp .I was 13 mr.cater use to rape me.He had a funny arm.I told people but no one cared.I have lived with this pain for over 20 years.I tried killing myself ect.I am happy they can hear us now .Our voice’s can now be heard.It happened at Lp bnjh and central.They had just renamed Bnjh.it was 1993 I was rapped by a staff .In 1994 I was at central they had close down the main building and put us in the mobile units.One of the male staff had me do oral sex on him.IT WAS AROUND COUNT TIME.When the big earthquake hit in 93 they moved us from bnjh to the boot camp.We made a stop at camp scutter.That was were most of the rapped took place.Beacuse that’s where the doors locked.If you want to know more please call 210 3189400