For years, Maryland’s juvenile facilities have been plagued by a culture of abuse and neglect, with many survivors speaking out about the trauma they endured. Investigations and testimonies have revealed widespread sexual abuse, physical mistreatment, and systemic failures that allowed these injustices to continue unchecked. Vulnerable youth, often facing their own personal challenges, were entrusted to the care of a system that instead subjected them to harmful and exploitative conditions.

Abuse in these facilities was not isolated; it spanned across numerous institutions, where staff members—including guards and counselors—exploited their positions of power to manipulate, harm, and sexually abuse minors under their supervision. The lack of accountability, oversight, and proper safeguards allowed these acts to persist for decades, leaving many survivors with lasting physical and psychological scars.

In recent years, growing public awareness and legal action have forced the issue into the spotlight, leading to investigations, lawsuits, and a call for reform. Survivors, empowered by new laws that now allow victims of past abuse to seek civil compensation, are demanding justice and accountability for the trauma they endured behind the walls of Maryland’s juvenile system.

If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse while in custody at a Maryland juvenile detention or youth residential facility, you may have the right to take legal action. Survivors can pursue justice and hold institutions accountable—even for past incidents. The deadline to file claims is approaching.

Don’t wait—explore your legal options today.