Sexual Abuse and Assault Injury Lawyers
Youth Transition Campus Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Representing Survivors of Sexual Misconduct at YTC in San Diego County
Formerly the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, Youth Transition Campus opened in 2022 and has a history of sexual assault. Youth Transition Campus sexual abuse can be devastating for victims, which is why they need a trauma-informed law firm that will fight for their rights.
Juvenile detention center abuse is a serious issue, and survivors have experienced this at Youth Transition Campus and similar facilities.
We offer comprehensive, confidential legal support for minors and young adults who suffered from Youth Transition Campus sexual abuse on a contingency-fee basis. Many sexual abuse survivors have remained silent for years due to fear or shame, but they deserve justice and support.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.
Settlements Recovered by Our Legal Team
- $21,000,000 sexual assault settlement for failure to screen employees
- $15,000,000 for boys groomed by a private coach
- $5,000,000 for two men abused by a therapist
- $1,160,000 for a teen assaulted by a guard
About Youth Transition Campus (YTC)
2861 Meadow Lark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
This facility is designed to appear like a college campus. Youth Transition Campus offers classwork, behavioral health services, addiction counseling, and vocational training.
The facility’s purpose is to prepare youth for reintegration into society through resources such as creative expression, outdoor engagement, and career education. Both male and female minors are housed here, and stays range from 86 days to 12 months.
While the Youth Transition Campus was designed to be a rehabilitative facility, it has faced allegations of systemic abuse, highlighting concerns about widespread, institutional misconduct affecting youth.
Have There Been Youth Transition Campus Sexual Abuse Allegations & Lawsuits?
San Diego County juvenile detention facilities are facing lawsuits due to sexual abuse and harassment. Survivors can pursue an abuse claim or abuse lawsuit, including a Youth Transition Campus sexual abuse lawsuit or class action lawsuit, as forms of legal action against the facility and responsible government entities.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on pending litigation in February 2025, noting that one plaintiff was sexually assaulted by a probation officer while at Kearny Mesa. This abuse, which started at age 16, later led to postpartum depression and a miscarriage. This facility was transformed into the Youth Transition Campus in 2022.
Plaintiffs noted they were forced or encouraged into sex acts by probation officers, guards, and staff members. If they failed to comply, they were threatened with longer sentences or even physical violence. Survivors can file claims even if they did not report the abuse while detained due to fear or shame.
An attorney for the victims stated there was “a systemic failure to protect vulnerable minors in our juvenile system from egregious sexual misconduct and abuse by the same predator officers and county officials who swore an oath to serve and protect.” Many survivors have reported a culture of silence and intimidation that prevents them from speaking out.
How Can Our Legal Team Help Victims of the Youth Transition Campus?
The Injury Lawyer Team is here to support survivors through San Diego sexual assault lawsuits. Our law firm will gather documentation about the abuse, file legal documents, and negotiate settlements with the responsible parties.
We encourage survivors to seek justice by taking action against those responsible, such as filing an abuse lawsuit or participating in a class action lawsuit. However, our law firm recognizes that healing is more than an abuse claim.
Pursuing psychological treatment is also an important part of the recovery and legal process, as it helps address trauma and can support your legal claims.
If necessary, we can file a lawsuit and represent you in court, ensuring predatory probation officers or other staff members face justice.
We fight hard for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. For example, we were able to get over a million dollars for one plaintiff who was assaulted while in juvenile hall.
We can help you file lawsuits against facilities such as:
- Girls’ Rehabilitation Facility (GRF)
- Camp Barrett
- Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF)
- Polinsky Children’s Center (PCC)
- San Pasqual Academy (SPA)
What Laws Govern Youth Transition Campus Sexual Abuse Claims?
All detention facilities, including juvenile facilities and juvenile halls, are subject to the Prison Rape Elimination Act, a federal law that enforces standards for sexual assault in prison facilities (34 USC §303). This includes adopting a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, adhering to standards about detecting and punishing abuse, and collecting data that can be used to prevent further harm to inmates. Under California law, survivors have the right to hold juvenile facilities and authorities accountable for abuse through civil lawsuits and other legal remedies.
In lawsuits, we use California’s definition of sexual battery, which is stated as touching the intimate part of another person against the will of the person and for the specific purpose of sexual arousal or sexual gratification (PEN § 243.4). This definition is not gender-specific.
The definition requires that the touching be intentional and sexually motivated. Additionally, there must be a lack of consent. This is automatic in sexual abuse cases with an adult and an underage individual (PEN §261.5 (a)).
Additionally, any sexual contact between a staff member of a detention facility and an inmate is automatically illegal due to the power imbalance (PEN §289.6). Authority figures, such as staff and probation officers, are often the perpetrators in sexual abuse cases, highlighting the need for legal accountability.
Case law like Farmer v. Brennan asserts that detention center officers have a responsibility to protect inmates from any violence, including that by other staff or inmates. Residents of juvenile hall facilities are considered vulnerable under the law and must be afforded additional protections to ensure they aren’t sexually abused.
As such, juvenile hall establishments like Youth Transition Campus have strict liability when it comes to residents who are sexually assaulted and can be held responsible for the actions of their probation officers or guards.
Survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile centers often face significant challenges when seeking justice due to systemic failures.
Are There Patterns of Sexual Abuse and Negligence at Youth Transition Campus and Other San Diego County Juvenile Detention Centers?
The many sexual abuse lawsuits filed against San Diego County juvenile facilities demonstrate widespread institutional failure regarding abuse. Probation officers and other staff are often not properly vetted to ensure they do not have a history of assault, and they are not adequately supervised.
This environment allowed known predators to commit sexual misconduct while intimidating vulnerable youth into not speaking up. When they did report the sexual abuse, the administration vouched for their staff and refused to investigate. Attorneys report that the facilities did not fire individuals who committed illegal sex acts and instead vouched for them.
One plaintiff stated that abuse was “swept under the rug” and complaints were ignored. In some cases, youth who spoke up were threatened into silence.
How Does the Legal Process for a Claim for Abuse Against YTC Work?
Our lawyers can leverage multiple legal principles to demand accountability. One of these is vicarious liability, which makes juvenile halls responsible for the actions of their probation officers or other staff. They are required to intervene when they suspect misconduct and carefully monitor all staff interactions with youth.
Additionally, detention centers must protect residents from abuse by other individuals. Failing to do so constitutes a lack of supervision, which can also establish liability.
However, we also recognize that victims face many barriers to speaking out, including fear of retaliation or shame. Our team will do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible and ensure your comfort.
California Child Victims Act and Statute of Limitations
According to the Child Victims Act, California youth detention center sexual abuse lawyers can file claims for victims up to age 40, or up to five years after discovering the abuse (AB-218). This delayed discovery rule acknowledges that youth may not be aware they can file a claim, or may not understand that what happened to them is a crime.
Additionally, the courts may award treble punitive damages if it can be proven that Youth Transition Campus covered up evidence of sexual misconduct or failed to intervene. These punitive damages are intended to punish the perpetrator and deter reoffending.
Are Youth Transition Campus and San Diego County Legally Accountable?
We assist plaintiffs in filing civil sexual abuse lawsuits in California against perpetrators and organizations that did not protect them. There may be various defendants who all share liability, including the following:
- Perpetrator – The abusive individual at Youth Transition Campus may be a probation officer, guard, or other staff member who committed the sexual acts. The law does not discriminate on the basis of gender, and we can pursue action against both male and female perpetrators.
- Facility Operator – Managers and administrators are liable for the actions of their staff, especially if they were aware of misconduct and failed to intervene. Failing to instruct employees on how to identify abuse can also constitute negligence.
- San Diego County Probation Department—The SDCPD is legally obligated to closely supervise all juvenile halls and take immediate action upon receiving complaints. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for offending officers to be shuffled between centers or to face no repercussions, which may make the SDCPD liable for a cover-up.
- Other Government Agencies – Organizations such as the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) are responsible for investigating and inspecting facilities like Youth Transition Campus. If they do not identify concerns, they could be considered negligent.
- Employers or Contractors – Places like Youth Transition Campus often hire contractors or external providers to deliver certain activities, such as behavioral health services, addiction counseling, or vocational training. Unfortunately, these individuals may also commit sexual assault against youth. In this instance, their employers may be held accountable.
Who is Eligible to File a San Diego Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
To be eligible for a sexual abuse lawsuit, the sexual abuse must have occurred at Youth Transition Campus or an associated youth rehabilitation center. The perpetrator must have been a staff member or affiliated worker, such as a social worker or teacher. If you do not know the perpetrator’s name, we can review personnel files and interview witnesses present at the scene to identify them.
We will need certain evidence to prove your sexual abuse case. If you reported the sexual abuse, this can be very strong contemporaneous evidence. However, things like supporting testimony, medical records, or inspection reports can also help us show that you were assaulted at the center.
However, you do not need to file criminal charges against the defendant to open a civil or class action lawsuit, as tort law operates independently. While this evidence can help, we can still build a strong case even if you did not go to the police.
It’s important to note that you can still file a sexual abuse lawsuit if the perpetrator is now deceased, as we can pursue more than one defendant. We can seek damages from the abuser’s estate, or we can focus on proving that the San Diego detention center system is liable under state and federal law, specifically the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
What Kind of Compensation Can Victims Recover in Juvenile Hall Abuse Cases?
Our team will ensure you receive all possible compensation for your sexual assault case. This can include both economic and non-economic damages. Some damages you may receive include:
- Medical and psychological care
- Mental health treatment and therapy
- Loss of earning potential
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your case goes to trial, the court may also award up to three times the amount of damages as punitive damages.
What Impacts Your Settlement Amount and Legal Options?
Our San Diego sexual abuse lawyers recognize that each case is unique, which is why we consider all relevant factors when determining a fair settlement. Some factors that may influence what you receive include the following:
- Severity and Nature of Abuse – Violent assault, or a prolonged attack, often means the plaintiff receives more in damages. The age of the plaintiff is considered as well.
- Frequency – If the plaintiff was assaulted for months or years, this will often entitle them to more compensation.
- Supporting Evidence – Strong supporting evidence, like medical reports, witness statements, and facility documentation, will make it easier to prove that you deserve a high settlement. You do not need to file a police report, but it can be solid evidence.
- Negligence – If you were forced or threatened to remain silent, or if Youth Transition Campus did nothing to assist you, this can increase the value of your case.
- Long-Term Effects – If you have PTSD, depression, or lost career prospects, this can influence the sexual abuse case value.
In San Diego specifically, we will consider whether the perpetrator previously worked at other centers within the system, including any prior complaints.
For example, if a probation officer worked at Camp Barrett, Kearny Mesa, and the Youth Transition Campus, the court could infer that the probation department must have had concerns about their behavior that it chose to ignore. This will further involve the county and could cause greater damage.
Book a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Law Firm
No individual, no matter their age or sex, should be forced into unwanted sexual acts. However, it is especially egregious when it is done to a youth who cannot escape their situation. We fiercely advocate for male and female survivors who were sexually abused, ensuring they receive a fair settlement.
Our compassionate sexual abuse lawyers can assist you with sexual abuse lawsuits against detainment facilities like Camp Barrett, Kearny Mesa, and YTC, including investigation and negotiation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
We offer a consultation for sexually abused survivors seeking legal advice, ensuring your privacy and discretion throughout the process.
Everything you say to your lawyer is protected under attorney-client privilege, offering you privacy and safety. To schedule a free consultation with a skilled sexual assault lawyer, call us at 866-757-6452 or use our online form.
For additional support, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides 24/7 confidential support for sexual abuse survivors and their allies via hotline at 800-656-HOPE, as well as chat and text services. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) also offers extensive resources for survivors, prevention advocates, and community safety tools.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.