In a stunning allegation against Illinois youth facilities, a lawsuit filed this past Monday claims that a rampant culture of sexual abuse was permitted against juvenile detainees for over 20 years. The weighty lawsuit, involving 95 plaintiffs, contends that the abuse was carried out by staff members at the facilities, including correctional officers, counselors, and supervisors, who were entrusted with the safety and rehabilitation of the youths, according to detailed reports by the Chicago Tribune.
Accounts of the alleged abuse include repeated rape of a 14-year-old in his cell, daily groping of a 13-year-old by a state employee, and a counselor abusing a 16-year-old under the guise of providing comfort. A federal study in 2013 highlighted Illinois' appalling rates of sexual victimization of youths in custody, yet the lawsuit implies that state agencies failed to mitigate or discipline the behavior. Jerome Block, an attorney for the plaintiffs, emphasized the grotesque betrayal of trust, stating, "The very people with the responsibility of keeping our clients safe were actually the ones that were perpetrating the abuse," as obtained by the Chicago Tribune.
The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, responding late Monday, asserted they take the safety of youth in their care importantly but refrained from commenting further on the active litigation, the department highlighted that all staff undertake background checks and receive the necessary training to adhere to state and federal safety standards, in a statement released to the New York Times. The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond for comment.
Among the voices calling for justice, Jeffery Christian, a now 36-year-old transport worker and plaintiff, bravely shared his experiences of abuse when held as a teenager at two separate Illinois detention centers. Christian revealed to the New York Times details of being repeatedly sexually assaulted at these facilities. The lawsuit also represents a broader, rising tide of legal action nationwide, with similar allegations of abuse at juvenile detention centers in California, Maryland, and New Jersey, resembling New York City's recent case involving about 150 people.
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs argue that the lawsuit serves not only as a vehicle for financial restitution but also as a crucial step toward systemic changes in Illinois’ juvenile justice system. Considering the scope and the severity of the allegations, the lawyers are also pushing for criminal investigations and possible charges, to prevent further harm to children in these facilities, as one of their lawyers, Jerome Block, emphasized: "Our clients more than anything want the sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers to stop," he told the New York Times.
