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Representing Survivors of Sexual Abuse at San Pasqual Academy

Allegations of sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy SPA have raised serious concerns about how foster youth were treated within this taxpayer-funded program. Survivors have reported grooming, coercion, and sexual misconduct by adults tasked with their care, including staff members, house parents, and individuals in positions of authority.

These cases involve not only direct abuse but also systemic failures in supervision, screening, and response by San Diego County’s child welfare system.

Many survivors do not fully understand the impact of the abuse or feel safe coming forward until years later. At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent those harmed at San Pasqual Academy and other foster care facilities across California. We provide legal support to help survivors seek compensation and accountability from the institutions that failed to protect them.

If you or someone you know was abused at San Pasqual, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. You may still have time to file a civil claim and begin the process of healing and justice.

Settlements Recovered by Our Legal Team

Our team has helped survivors of child sexual abuse recover substantial settlements by holding schools, care facilities, and institutions accountable for their failure to protect vulnerable youth. These results reflect our commitment to seeking justice for those harmed while under the supervision of trusted adults:

$15 million settlement achieved for a group of boys who were sexually abused by a private school coach. Evidence showed the school ignored repeated signs of grooming and failed to intervene, allowing the abuse to continue.
$6 million settlement for a survivor who endured ongoing abuse at a youth center over several years. The facility was shown to have skipped background checks and disregarded multiple warnings about the staff member involved.
$1.16 million settlement recovered for a teen who was sexually assaulted by a detention center staff member. Despite known risks and prior internal complaints, the facility failed to monitor or remove the employee.

About San Pasqual Academy (SPA)

San Pasqual Academy

17701 San Pasqual Valley Rd

Escondido, CA 92025

Phone: (760) 233-6000

Website: https://www.sanpasqualacademy.org

San Pasqual Academy is a residential campus explicitly developed to serve foster youth in San Diego County. Established in 2001, the facility was created as a public-private partnership between San Diego County, the California Department of Social Services, and a group of nonprofit organizations.

It has been described as a unique blend of a group home and educational facility. It is often marketed as a place for foster students to build independent living skills while preparing for adulthood.

San Pasqual provides on-site schooling, mental health services, life skills training, and support for pregnant and parenting teens. It has housed youth under the oversight of the child welfare system, including those placed from foster homes, short-term facilities, or other placements within the foster care system.

While positioned as an alternative to traditional congregate care, allegations of abuse, neglect, and institutional failure have raised concerns about whether the young people sent to San Pasqual were truly safe or supported in their journey to independence.

SPA Sexual Abuse Allegations

Allegations of sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy (SPA) have raised serious concerns about how foster youth were treated while living at the county-supported residential campus.

Survivors have reported grooming, sexual assault, and coercion by adults responsible for their care, including house parents, staff, and others working under the oversight of San Diego County’s child welfare system. Some individuals have described being targeted as pregnant or parenting teens, facing both abuse and isolation during their time at the facility.

Reports indicate that complaints made by students were often dismissed or ignored, allowing abuse to continue unchecked. In some cases, youth who attempted to report inappropriate conduct were met with retaliation or punishment, further discouraging others from coming forward.

These patterns point to institutional failures in supervision, staff screening, and the fundamental duty to protect vulnerable young people in a group home setting.

According to an investigation by the San Diego Union-Tribune, foster youth placed at San Pasqual described a culture where complaints were downplayed or silenced. Former residents accused both social services staff and onsite caregivers of creating an unsafe environment under the guise of providing care.

These allegations are now part of a broader public discussion about the actual cost of placing children in congregate care settings like SPA.

How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims of Sexual Abuse in Foster Care and Group Homes

At Injury Lawyer Team, we help survivors of sexual abuse pursue justice and compensation after being harmed in institutional settings like San Pasqual Academy.

Many of the young people placed at SPA were part of the foster care system, relying on San Diego County, social services, and house parents to provide safety and support. We step in to hold the responsible parties accountable when that trust is broken.

Our team assists with every stage of the legal process, including:

Collecting evidence such as internal complaints, staffing records, and witness testimony.
Filing civil claims under California law, including those allowed by the California Child Victims Act.
Negotiating settlements to reflect the abuse’s long-term emotional and financial impact.
Representing clients in court when needed.

We’ve achieved results in similar cases, including a $1.16 million settlement for a teen abused in a detention facility. Our team has extensive experience with San Diego juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawsuits, foster care claims, and cases involving congregate care failures. We’re here to help you understand your rights and take action at your own pace.

We can help you file claims against facilities such as:

Understanding Sexual Abuse Under California Law

Under California civil law, sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual touching or contact done for sexual gratification. These acts are legally addressed as sexual battery, as defined in California Civil Code § 1708.5, and form the basis for most civil lawsuits involving institutional abuse.

To qualify as sexual battery in a civil claim, two elements must be present:

The contact was intentional and sexually motivated.
The contact occurred without consent.

Importantly, under California law, minors cannot legally consent to sexual contact with adults. In facilities like San Pasqual Academy, where children are under the control of staff, any sexual interaction between an adult and a minor is automatically illegal, regardless of perceived willingness.

These laws are based on the recognition of a severe power imbalance in settings where youth are under custodial care. California applies strict liability in these cases, meaning institutions and staff are fully responsible when abuse occurs, regardless of intent or circumstances.

Patterns of Abuse and Negligence in the Child Welfare System

The abuse reported at San Pasqual Academy reflects broader failures within San Diego County’s child welfare system.

Many survivors have described not just isolated incidents, but ongoing patterns of neglect, silence, and misconduct. Instead of receiving support, foster youth, including parenting teens and kids removed from foster homes, were placed in an environment where abuse could thrive.

Systemic issues include:

Sexual misconduct by staff, house parents, and adults in authority.
Known predators were left in place, even after complaints were made.
High-risk employees were not adequately screened, supervised, or removed.
Victims were intimidated, threatened, or coerced into staying silent.
Administrative efforts to cover up abuse or avoid external scrutiny.

These repeated failures created an environment where foster students and other young people were vulnerable to harm. Many survivors report that when they tried to speak up, their experiences were minimized or ignored. This breakdown in oversight highlights the ongoing risks of placing youth in group homes without proper monitoring or accountability.

Attorney representing survivors in San Pasqual Academy child welfare system abuse cases.

Filing a Claim for Abuse at San Pasqual Academy

Survivors of sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy may have legal grounds to file a civil claim against the facility, San Diego County, and other responsible entities.

Allegations include abuse committed by house parents, staff, contracted mental health providers, and others assigned to provide care. In some cases, abuse was carried out by other residents due to poor supervision and lack of oversight—an institutional failure in itself.

Many survivors also describe psychological barriers that kept them from coming forward sooner. Feelings of shame, fear of retaliation, and the belief that they wouldn’t be believed were common. Some foster youth worried they would be moved again or lose access to essential resources like education, therapy, or housing.

Filing a claim allows survivors to seek compensation for the harm they endured and hold those in power accountable. Under California law, survivors may still have time to act—even if the abuse occurred years ago—especially if they were part of the foster care system or placed through social services.

California Child Victims Act and Statute of Limitations

Survivors of sexual abuse at facilities like San Pasqual Academy now have more time and legal support to come forward, thanks to the California Child Victims Act (AB 218). This law, detailed in California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1, allows survivors to file a civil claim until age 40, or within five years of discovering the lasting effects of the abuse—whichever comes later.

The law also permits treble damages when there’s proof that an institution attempted to cover up the abuse, a factor that may apply in cases involving foster youth who were ignored, silenced, or placed at risk despite earlier warnings.

California’s Delayed Discovery Rule also protects survivors who weren’t ready or able to come forward sooner, recognizing that trauma, shame, or fear can delay disclosure. If you have questions about how these laws may apply to your case, a California juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your rights and next steps.

Holding SPA and San Diego County Legally Accountable

Survivors of sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy have the right to pursue civil claims not only against the individual abuser but also against the institutions and agencies that failed to protect them. These lawsuits may target:

The abuser, including house parents, staff, or contracted workers.
The facility operator, for failing to maintain a safe environment.
Government agencies, such as the San Diego County Department of Social Services, responsible for oversight and placement.
Employers and third-party providers, including nonprofits or contracted mental health services.

Legal liability often stems from negligent hiring, lack of proper training, or ignored complaints. If staff were not screened correctly or facility leaders failed to act on warning signs, the law allows survivors to hold those organizations financially and legally responsible.

By filing a civil suit, survivors can seek compensation and expose the larger systemic failures that allowed the abuse to happen within the child welfare system and congregate care facilities like San Pasqual.

Eligibility for Filing a Lawsuit

Survivors may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit if they experienced sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy, either by a house parent, staff member, contracted provider, or other affiliated adult responsible for their care.

The abuse must have taken place while the survivor was living at the facility under the supervision of San Diego County or was placed there through the foster care system.

Legal action is still possible even if the abuser has since passed away or was never criminally charged.

Civil cases focus on accountability and compensation, not punishment. They allow survivors to expose how institutions failed and seek financial recovery for the trauma they endured.

Whether the abuse happened recently or years ago, you may still qualify under California’s extended statute of limitations, especially if the harm occurred while in congregate care or under the child welfare system.

Types of Compensation Available

Survivors of sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy may be entitled to financial compensation for both the immediate and long-term harm they’ve suffered. Civil lawsuits can help recover a range of damages related to the abuse, including:

Medical expenses for any physical injuries or ongoing health care needs.
Psychological care, such as therapy, trauma-focused counseling, and medication.
Pain and suffering reflect the emotional and physical toll of the abuse.
Loss of income or future career opportunities, especially for those whose education or job prospects were impacted.
Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other trauma-related conditions.
Other economic and non-economic damages, such as housing instability, academic disruption, or loss of normal childhood experiences.

Compensation can help survivors access the resources they need to heal and rebuild. It also sends a clear message to institutions, like San Diego County and the operators of group home programs, that failure to protect foster youth and parenting teens carries consequences.

What Impacts Your Settlement Amount?

Every case involving abuse at San Pasqual Academy is unique, and settlement amounts vary based on several key factors. While no amount can undo what happened, certain elements often influence the size of a financial recovery:

Severity and Nature of Abuse – More violent or invasive incidents typically result in higher compensation, especially when the abuse caused lasting trauma.
Frequency – Repeated abuse over time or long-term exposure to unsafe conditions increases institutional liability.
Supporting Evidence – Medical records, mental health evaluations, witness statements, and internal facility documentation can strengthen your case.
Negligence or Cover-Up – If San Diego County or SPA administrators ignored complaints or concealed misconduct, the law allows for treble damages in some cases.
Long-Term Effects – Serious emotional harm, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, or lost educational and career opportunities, can increase the value of your claim.

If you’re considering legal action, a San Diego sexual abuse lawyer can help you fully understand how these factors apply to your case.

Speak With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today

If you or someone you care about experienced sexual abuse at San Pasqual Academy, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team are here to help you understand your rights, explore your legal options, and take the necessary steps toward accountability and healing.

We offer free, confidential consultations, and there are no upfront costs—you pay nothing unless we win your case. Whether the abuse happened recently or years ago, our legal team is ready to listen and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Reach out today to speak with a California sexual abuse lawyer who understands the legal challenges survivors face and is prepared to fight for you.Call us at (866) 757-6452 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.