Maryland Juvenile Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023: A Path to Justice
For decades, Maryland’s juvenile facilities were meant to rehabilitate and protect vulnerable youth. However, reports have surfaced revealing a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse within these institutions. Instead of providing safety and guidance, many children were subjected to exploitation, trauma, and systemic failures that allowed predators to operate unchecked.
A Troubling History of Abuse and Cover-Ups
Victims of juvenile facility abuse in Maryland have spoken out about the horrors they endured at the hands of staff members, caretakers, and officials who were entrusted with their well-being. These incidents occurred in a range of settings, including:
Juvenile detention centers
Foster care programs
Group homes
State-run youth programs
For years, survivors were silenced—fearing retaliation, dismissal, or institutional cover-ups. Many were left without a path to justice due to restrictive statutes of limitations, preventing them from holding abusers and negligent institutions accountable.
In a groundbreaking victory for survivors, The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 removed the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. This means survivors can now file a lawsuit, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Previously, victims had a limited timeframe to take legal action, often shutting them out of the justice system before they were ready to come forward. Now, the law acknowledges that trauma takes time and ensures survivors have the opportunity to seek the compensation they deserve.
Recent lawsuits have revealed the negligence of Maryland’s juvenile justice system. Evidence shows that officials ignored warning signs, failed to investigate abuse claims properly, and allowed abusers to remain in positions of authority. By prioritizing secrecy over accountability, these institutions betrayed the very children they were meant to protect.
With the new law in place, survivors finally have the power to take legal action against their abusers and the institutions that enabled them.
Justice in Numbers: Helping Survivors Get the Compensation They Deserve