More than 100 new lawsuits have been filed in New York City on Monday, adding to the existing total of 540 cases, alleging sexual abuse in the city’s juvenile detention centers. The lawsuits target the city’s Administration for Children’s Services and the Department of Correction, accusing guards, counselors, and staff members of using their positions to sexually abuse children. These legal actions are made possible by the Gender Motivated Violence Act, a city law enacted in 2022 that allows individuals to sue over gender-motivated acts of violence within a two-year window, closing on March 1.
The lawsuits detail a disturbing pattern of abuse that spans decades, occurring at various facilities such as the Spofford Juvenile Center, Horizon Juvenile Center, Crossroads Juvenile Center, Rikers Island, and the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center. The incidents range from inappropriate strip searches to rape, all allegedly perpetrated by staff members entrusted with the safety of the juveniles in their care.
Jerome Block, a partner at Levy Konigsberg, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, emphasized the systemic nature of the abuse, pointing to a culture of secrecy and misconduct within the city’s agencies. “The perpetrators in all of these cases were adult staff members, so the very adults that were trusted with keeping our clients safe were the ones perpetrating this sexual abuse,” Block stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
However, the city’s law department has contested the applicability of the Gender Motivated Violence Act to these lawsuits, citing that the alleged incidents predate the law or its 2022 expansion. Despite this, Stephanie Gendell, a spokesperson for the Administration for Children’s Services, emphasized the seriousness with which the department takes allegations of sexual abuse or harassment, promising to review each case individually once served.
In response to these lawsuits, ACS has reiterated its commitment to addressing sexual misconduct among its employees, emphasizing the potential for discipline, termination, and criminal consequences for such behavior. The department has also updated its training and oversight standards to prevent future instances of abuse.
Aside from seeking monetary damages, the plaintiffs are seeking accountability from the city and a commitment to preventing further abuse in juvenile detention centers. Block reiterated the plaintiffs’ desire for justice and an end to the cycle of sexual violence within these facilities, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and safeguarding vulnerable populations.
