Free Case Evaluation: 866-757-6452
Representing Survivors of Sexual Abuse at South Mountain Secure
Allegations of South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit sexual abuse have exposed yet another failure in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system.
Survivors report physical and sexual abuse, coercion, and retaliation by staff while confined at this secure treatment unit. Many of those abused were children at the time—vulnerable, isolated, and without meaningful protection from the very people charged with their care.
For many, speaking out takes years. Survivors often suppress the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, unsure if anyone will believe them or if legal options still exist. At Injury Lawyer Team, we help survivors file civil claims against the individuals and institutions responsible. Whether the abuse happened recently or decades ago, our attorneys are here to help you take legal action.
Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Settlements Recovered by Our Legal Team
Our legal team has recovered significant compensation for survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers, residential facilities, and other institutional settings:
- $15,000,000 settlement for boys abused by a school coach. The school failed to act on known warning signs.
- $6,000,000 settlement for a youth repeatedly abused at a facility that ignored staff misconduct complaints.
- $1,160,000 settlement for a teen sexually assaulted by a guard in a juvenile facility where oversight had broken down.
About South Mountain Secure
South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit
10058 South Mountain Road
South Mountain, PA 17261
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/departments-offices/ocyf-info/ocyf-bureau-juvenile-justice-services.html
The South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit is a juvenile detention facility operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. It houses post-adjudicated youth who have been placed under the care of the state following court orders.
The facility is considered a secure setting and provides mental health treatment, educational services, and substance abuse support. While its stated mission is rehabilitation, recent allegations suggest the facility failed to protect children, leading to long-term harm and emotional trauma for youth placed under its supervision.
South Mountain Secure Sexual Abuse: What the Lawsuits Allege?
Several newly filed lawsuits accuse staff at South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit of rampant sexual abuse, violent physical force, and inappropriate sexual encounters with youth residents. Survivors report retaliation after reporting abuse, including loss of privileges, isolation, and coercion. These claims point to a widespread pattern of misconduct, not isolated events.
In some cases, staff allegedly forced youth into criminal sexual relationships while other employees looked the other way. Others describe being subject to inappropriate strip searches, groping, and verbal degradation. Complaints were often dismissed, and those who spoke up were labeled as disobedient or aggressive.
This mirrors what has been seen in related lawsuits filed against other juvenile detention centers in Pennsylvania, including North Central Secure Treatment, Loysville Youth Development Center, and Northwestern Academy. The Department of Human Services is facing growing scrutiny for failed oversight and systemic negligence throughout its juvenile facilities.
How Our Legal Team Can Help Victims of South Mountain Secure
At Injury Lawyer Team, we help survivors of South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit sexual abuse pursue legal action for the abuse they endured.
We handle every part of the process—from documenting abuse and filing claims to negotiating settlements and representing clients in court. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling Pennsylvania youth detention facility sexual abuse lawsuits.
We can help you file claims against facilities such as:
We work closely with survivors to understand their story, build a strong case, and fight for accountability from the staff, administrators, and agencies responsible. Whether your abuse occurred long ago or more recently, our legal team is here to stand with you.
Holding Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Facilities Legally Accountable
Survivors of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system have the legal right to hold responsible parties accountable. Those who can be named in a civil lawsuit include:
- The abuser—staff members, guards, or counselors who committed the abuse.
- The facility operator, such as the South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services which oversees the facility and is responsible for staff training and oversight.
- Private or third-party contractors, including mental health or security staff.
- Supervisors who ignored warnings or enabled abusive behavior.
Civil lawsuits shine a light on institutional failures and send a message that abuse will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania’s juvenile facilities.
Compensation Available in Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Cases
Survivors of sexual abuse at South Mountain Secure Treatment may be entitled to compensation for both economic and emotional losses, including:
- Medical care for physical injuries;
- Mental health treatment, such as therapy and trauma counseling;
- Pain and suffering associated with long-term psychological damage;
- Loss of income or career opportunities due to disrupted education or mental health issues;
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression;
- Other related damages tied to the abuse and its lasting effects.
Compensation can help support long-term recovery and hold institutions accountable for the harm caused.
What Impacts Your Settlement Amount?
The value of a settlement in a South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit sexual abuse case depends on several key factors:
- Severity and Nature of the Abuse – Violent, invasive, or prolonged incidents of abuse typically result in higher compensation. Even a single event can lead to substantial recovery if it caused lasting emotional or psychological harm, especially when the facility failed to intervene.
- Frequency – Repeated abuse or long-term exposure to unsafe conditions increases liability. If staff or administrators were aware of prior misconduct and failed to act, that failure adds significant weight to a survivor’s claim.
- Supporting Evidence – The presence of strong evidence, such as medical documentation, therapist reports, or witness statements, can strengthen a lawsuit and improve the likelihood of a favorable settlement or verdict.
- Negligence or Cover-Up – If the institution ignored complaints, concealed misconduct, or allowed abusers to remain in contact with youth, the survivor’s legal team may seek treble damages for intentional concealment or gross negligence.
- Long-Term Effects – Damages also reflect how the abuse impacted a survivor’s life. PTSD, depression, anxiety, disrupted education, or lost job opportunities can all increase the overall compensation awarded.
Book a Free Consultation with Our Law Firm
If you or someone you care about was abused at South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit, we can help you file civil claims and pursue accountability. Our legal team represents survivors across Pennsylvania, including those harmed in juvenile detention centers run by the Department of Human Services.
We offer free, confidential consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win. Speak with a trusted Pennsylvania sex abuse attorney today to learn your legal options. Call us at (866) 757-6452 or fill out our contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
