Lawsuit Information Center
Victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault are bringing civil lawsuits in California and getting significant settlements. Thanks to new changes in California law, it is now much easier for sex abuse victims to access the civil courts.
In this post, we will examine the process and laws related to sex abuse lawsuits in California. We will also examine the average settlement amounts of these cases and provide examples of settlements and jury payouts.
If you have a sex abuse case in California, contact us today.
Table of Contents
➤ Deadline for California Sex Abuse Claims
➤ Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Cases
California Sex Abuse Updates
May 19, 2025 – Los Angeles Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Our lawyers are again accepting Los Angeles juvenile detention center sex abuse lawsuits.
May 18, 2025 – New Los Padrinos and Central Juvenile Hall Lawsuits
In a new lawsuit filed Thursday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, multiple survivors have brought claims against the County of Los Angeles, alleging they were sexually abused as minors while detained at Los Padrinos and Central Juvenile Hall, facilities operated by the county’s Probation Department. The plaintiffs, including male and female former detainees, proceed under pseudonyms due to the sensitive nature of their allegations.
The complaint alleges widespread and systemic sexual abuse by staff members, including guards and probation officers, for years. The plaintiffs contend that the county failed in its duty to supervise, hire, train, and retain competent staff and knowingly allowed abusive employees to maintain positions of authority over vulnerable children. Allegations include rape, molestation, harassment, coercion, and threats—conduct that the plaintiffs argue was enabled by a culture of impunity within the juvenile detention system.
The lawsuit sets forth causes of action for negligence, negligent supervision of minors, failure to warn/train, and violations of California’s Bane Act. It also outlines failure to comply with the Penal Code’s mandated reporting laws. Plaintiffs cite decades of documented failures, including findings from the U.S. Department of Justice and recent state investigations, demonstrating a pattern of misconduct and institutional indifference.
May 16, 2025 – New School Sex Abuse Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit filed today in Los Angeles County Superior Court, a woman has brought claims against Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, the Congregation of Holy Cross, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The plaintiff, who is now forty years old and resides in California, alleges that she was sexually assaulted by a fellow student while attending Notre Dame High School as a minor in the 9th and 10th grades.
The complaint asserts that the institutions named as defendants failed in their duty to protect her from foreseeable harm while she was under their care. Specifically, her sex abuse lawyers bring claims for negligence, negligent supervision and failure to warn, negligent failure to train or educate, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit contends that the defendants knew or should have known of the risks posed by the perpetrator, a male student, and that their collective failure to supervise and protect her directly led to her harm.
According to the filing, the plaintiff argues that the defendants had a unified interest and operational overlap, collectively managing and controlling the school environment in which the abuse occurred. She further alleges that allowing the defendants to maintain a facade of corporate separation would perpetuate fraud and allow evasion of accountability.
April 18, 2025 – Troubling New Bill
A new bill in the California Legislature is drawing fierce opposition from child protection advocates, who warn that it would severely undermine the rights of child sexual abuse survivors. Senate Bill 832, sponsored by state lawmakers, proposes to raise the legal standard of proof in revived child sex abuse cases, requiring survivors to present “clear and convincing corroborating evidence” to receive compensation, even for non-punitive damages.
Critics argue that SB 832 represents a direct attack on the progress made by AB 218, the landmark 2019 law that opened a three-year revival window for survivors to file claims previously barred by the statute of limitations. SB 832 would make it significantly harder for survivors—many of whom delay disclosure for decades due to trauma—to succeed in court, especially in cases where no physical evidence remains.
The bill also bars courts from relying solely on a survivor’s testimony, despite overwhelming research showing that delayed disclosure and lack of documentation are hallmarks of childhood sexual abuse. Advocates warn the bill would silence survivors, shield public institutions from liability, and dismantle hard-won avenues to justice.
SB 832 is a regressive measure that prioritizes the reputations of schools, churches, and other state-run entities over the safety and dignity of children.
The bill is currently under review in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
April 11, 2025 – Sex Abuse Verdict Against Rapper “Soulja Boy”
A jury in Los Angeles has found rapper Soulja Boy liable for sexually assaulting and physically and emotionally abusing a former assistant, awarding her over $4 million in damages. The verdict, delivered after a three-week trial in Santa Monica, includes $4 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages. The woman, who worked for Soulja Boy from 2018, alleged that he raped, assaulted, and threatened her over a two-year period, including after she left him. Jurors rejected claims of false imprisonment but held him accountable for assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
April 10, 2025 – Modesto LDS Sex Abuse Case Part of Statewide Surge in Claims
A civil complaint filed in Stanislaus County details a harrowing account of sexual abuse allegedly committed against a child within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spanning multiple years and church locations. The case, involving a woman identified as Jane Doe, claims the abuse began in Hayward when she was just six years old and continued after she moved to Modesto.
The complaint alleges that both perpetrators were boys connected to church leadership, including the son of a local bishop. The abuse escalated over time, with incidents reportedly occurring during church programs and sleepovers. Despite signs of assault—such as undergarments left behind in a church restroom—leaders allegedly failed to investigate or intervene.
This case is one of 91 filed in California across 26 counties, all accusing the LDS Church of enabling and concealing sexual abuse over several decades. The lawsuits have now been consolidated in Los Angeles under a Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding, which aims to streamline complex litigation involving large numbers of related cases.
Court filings also allege that the Church used financial resources, internal legal systems, and spiritual counseling to manage or suppress abuse allegations. The Church denies wrongdoing and claims it complies with all legal reporting requirements. Plaintiffs argue that institutional policies and church-managed hotlines function more to protect the Church than support survivors.
April 7, 2025: LA County Sex Abuse Settlement
Los Angeles County has reached a tentative $4 billion settlement to resolve nearly 7,000 sexual abuse claims related to incidents at juvenile detention centers and the now-closed MacLaren Children’s Center foster facility. The claims primarily stem from abuse occurring in the 1980s through the 2000s and were filed under California Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily revived time-barred child sex abuse lawsuits.
This settlement—described as the largest sexual abuse payout in U.S. history, surpassing the Boy Scouts of America’s $2.46 billion deal—reflects systemic failures in LA County’s oversight of vulnerable youth. The payment will be structured over five years, avoiding the bankruptcy seen in other institutions like the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
County officials apologized and pointed to “numerous reforms” to protect children going forward.
April 2, 2025: George Forman Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Following the death of George Foreman, two women who filed sexual assault lawsuits against him in California federal court have requested a 90-day pause in proceedings to allow time for appointing a legal representative for Foreman’s estate.
The lawsuits, originally filed in December 2022, allege that Foreman sexually abused both women when they were teenagers. One of the cases had recently survived a motion for partial summary judgment, with a federal judge ruling that the allegations described an “ongoing pattern” of abuse and that California law should apply. The court rejected Foreman’s argument that certain claims should be dismissed due to expired statutes of limitations in other states.
March 13, 2025: Montenbello School District Sex Abuse Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit filed yesterday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, a California woman alleges that Montebello Unified School District failed to protect her from years of sexual abuse by her high school math teacher. The lawsuit claims that from 2000 to 2004, while attending Montebello High School, the plaintiff was groomed and sexually abused by her teacher, who gave her special attention, offered her rides to school, and isolated her in his classroom. The abuse allegedly escalated to inappropriate touching and coerced sexual acts, both on and off school grounds.
According to the complaint, her teacher began grooming her when she transferred into his math class during her freshman year. He immediately singled her out for special attention, flirted with her, and offered her rides to school in his personal car, picking her up at the bus stop. Over time, the teacher escalated his behavior, isolating her in his classroom during recess and lunch breaks, where he would close the door and ensure no other students were present.
As the grooming continued, the teacher began holding hands with the plaintiff while driving her to school, putting his hand on her thigh, and engaging in inappropriate physical contact. He later started fondling her breasts, kissing her, placing his hands inside her pants, and having her touch his erect penis over his clothing. Much of this abuse took place inside his car, his classroom, and the school’s copy room, where he would press his body against hers and grope her. During her sophomore year, the teacher gave her a cell phone so he could communicate with her privately, sending flirtatious messages and engaging in phone sex. The abuse continued throughout her high school years.
This is awful, but how is the school responsible? Multiple school employees allegedly witnessed suspicious behavior throughout this period but failed to report it. Staff members saw the young student exiting the teacher’s personal vehicle in the staff parking lot, but no one took action. The story gets worse. The defendant’s own brother was also a teacher at Montebello High School. He allegedly observed his brother’s interactions with the plaintiff multiple times and did nothing to intervene. Years after graduating, the plaintiff came forward and reported the abuse to law enforcement. The man was arrested and criminally charged, but before he could stand trial, he committed suicide.
Why the school district would not settle this lawsuit before it was filed is a mystery.
March 7, 2025: New School Sex Abuse Lawsuit
March 6, 2025: Class Action Lawsuit Denied (maybe for the best)
U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler recently denied the motion to certify a sex abuse class action lawsuit alleging a sexually abusive environment under former University of San Francisco (USF) baseball coaches. The proposed class, which included all USF baseball players since 2000, was deemed too broad and lacking in commonality required for class certification.
There are some upsides. This ruling allows individual plaintiffs to pursue their claims without the constraints of a class action framework. This enables a more tailored examination of each plaintiff’s unique experiences. By focusing on individual school sex abuse lawsuits, the court can address the particular circumstances of each claim, ensuring that the nuances of each plaintiff’s situation are thoroughly considered. This individualized attention may result in more appropriate remedies and a clearer path to settlement compensations for victims.
March 4, 2o25: New Detention Center Lawsuit
California’s attorney general has unsealed an indictment charging 30 detention officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall with child abuse, alleging that they facilitated and encouraged brutal “gladiator fights” among detained youth. The indictment details at least 69 organized fights involving 143 children between 12 and 18 years old in the latter half of 2023, some resulting in serious injury. Prosecutors claim officers stood by as these violent encounters unfolded, treating them more like referees than caretakers. The charges include felony child abuse, with some officers also facing conspiracy and battery charges.
The indictment of 30 detention officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for orchestrating “gladiator fights” is not just a story about brutality—it is a chilling example of how systemic failures create the perfect breeding ground for sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers. When guards treat children as entertainment, allowing them to be beaten for sport, it is not a leap to understand how those same power structures enable sexual predators to thrive behind bars. Abuse—whether physical or sexual—flourishes in environments where authority figures act without fear of consequences, where staff view detainees as subhuman, and where institutional neglect becomes the status quo.
Once an institution normalizes violence and dehumanization, it sends a loud message to sexual predators within its ranks: there are no barriers to committing even greater atrocities. It is one big green light. It is part of a larger pattern of juvenile detention center sexual abuse, where unchecked power breeds corruption, cruelty, and exploitation. Until these institutions are forced to take real accountability, these facilities will continue to be a predator’s playground, with the most vulnerable children suffering the consequences.
March 1, 2025: Prison OB/GYN Charged and Sued For Abusing Patients
For seven years, Dr. Scott Lee, the only full-time gynecologist at the California Institution for Women in Chino, allegedly abused incarcerated women under his care.
A newly filed civil lawsuit by six former prisoners accuses Lee of coercing patients into unnecessary and painful examinations while prison officials ignored red flags and prior complaints. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has faced repeated allegations of systemic sexual abuse in its women’s prisons. This case comes amid a federal investigation into civil rights violations at both the Chino facility and another prison in Chowchilla that we have been talking about on this page.
The lawsuit details disturbing allegations, including forced pelvic exams, coercive medical procedures, and retaliation against women who resisted Lee’s authority. One plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe #1, recounted how Lee performed a painful and unnecessary pelvic exam despite her signed refusal. Another woman, Jane Doe #4, was seven months pregnant when she says Lee forcefully examined her despite her protests, leaving her terrified for her unborn child. The lawsuit further alleges, depressingly, that Lee’s behavior was known to medical staff, yet nurses present during these incidents failed to intervene, allowing the abuse to continue unchecked.
The case against Dr. Lee is clearly part of a broader pattern of sexual violence in California’s prisons, with imprisoned women struggling to report abuse due to fear of retaliation and systemic inaction. This cannot go on any longer in 2025.
February 23, 2025: Temescal Canyon High School Sex Abuse Allegations
We are investigating allegations of sexual abuse at Temescal Canyon High School in California. The allegations, which span multiple incidents, including a conviction, have raised concerns about the school’s handling of abuse claims and whether proper safeguards were in place to protect students. Law enforcement and sex abuse lawyers like us are working to determine the extent of the abuse, with investigators urging any victims or witnesses to come forward.
Get More California Sex Abuse Lawsuit Updates
January 7, 2025: Holiday Inn Los Angeles Facing Sex Trafficking Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles last week, a survivor identified as Jane Doe accuses Holiday Inn franchise operators and parent company IHG of knowingly facilitating her trafficking and profiting from the exploitation. The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff was trafficked at multiple Holiday Inn locations, where obvious signs of trafficking were ignored by staff and management.
The complaint details red flags observed at the hotels, including cash payments for extended stays, multiple rooms rented simultaneously, constant male visitors at irregular hours, and traffickers lingering on the premises. Housekeeping staff were reportedly kept out of the rooms, with towels and linens exchanged at the door, further indicating illicit activity. Despite these indicators, the defendants allegedly failed to take action or alert law enforcement.
The plaintiff claims the defendants had actual and constructive knowledge of trafficking activities but failed to implement or enforce policies designed to detect and prevent such crimes. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence in hiring, training, and supervising employees, creating an environment where traffickers could operate with impunity.
The plaintiff seeks damages for the harm caused by the trafficking, alleging that the defendants prioritized revenue over their duty to protect guests and prevent criminal activity. This case is part of a broader effort to hold the hospitality industry accountable for its role in addressing human trafficking.
January 6, 2025: Bell Middle School in San Diego
Our law firm is investigating sexual abuse claims involving Bell Middle School in San Diego.
January 2, 2025: $116 Million Settlement for Sex Abuse at Women’s Federal Prison
The federal government has agreed to pay $116 million in settlement compensation to a group of women who alleged that they were sexually abused at a women’s federal prison in Dublin, California. The facility, which has since been shut down, was known as the “rape club” because of its reputation for staff sexual assaults on female inmates.
January 1, 2025, 2024: Dr. Robert Altman Sex Abuse Claims Investigation
Our law firm is investigating sex abuse claims against Dr. Robert Altman. The California Medical Board has accused the prominent Modesto obstetrician-gynecologist of sexual misconduct following complaints from two patients. The accusations allege that Altman’s behavior included inappropriate touching during medical examinations, excessive physical contact, and failure to provide chaperones during sensitive procedures. Altman, who serves as president and CEO of Gould Medical Group.
The claims against Altman include incidents where he allegedly touched a patient’s clitoris during an exam, hugged patients inappropriately, and conducted extended vaginal examinations despite being asked to stop. A 2017 case involving one patient described Altman continuing an intrusive exam after repeated requests to stop, violating professional boundaries and neglecting to provide a chaperone. Another patient reported feeling uncomfortable after receiving a “husband-like hug” following an examination.
Altman’s alleged misconduct extends to his interactions with patients over several years, despite prior complaints and a lack of apparent corrective action by his employers. An investigation by the Medical Board concluded that Altman’s behavior amounted to sexual misconduct and gross negligence, warranting disciplinary action under the Medical Practice Act. Altman has the right to contest the allegations in a hearing, but disciplinary measures, such as probation, are common in cases where accusations are substantiated.
December 13, 2024: Paula Abdul Sexual Assault Settlement
Paula Abdul has settled her lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, a television producer behind American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, where she alleged misconduct during her time as a judge on those shows.
Abdul filed the lawsuit in late 2023 in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming inappropriate behavior occurred during her work on the reality competition programs. Specifically, she claimed he grabbed her genitals and breasts, forcibly kissing her in a hotel elevator. The settlement terms were not disclosed, but Abdul expressed gratitude that the matter is now resolved, calling it a “long and hard-fought personal battle” and hoping her experience could encourage others facing similar struggles.
The case had been scheduled to go to trial in August 2025. Separate sexual assault claims brought against Lythgoe by other individuals remain pending in Los Angeles court.
December 11, 2024: Oakland Clergy Abuse Settlement Talks
The Diocese of Oakland has proposed a $117 million trust to settle roughly 350 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The trust, partially funded by the title transfer of a Livermore property and gradual payments over several years, aims to resolve claims stemming from decades of alleged abuse.
Victims’ attorneys have criticized the proposal as woefully insufficient and accuse the diocese of minimizing its assets to reduce payouts, contrasting the offer with a recent $880 million settlement by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Survivors and their attorneys argue with good reason that the plan delays compensation, diminishes its value due to inflation, and shields diocesan assets, calling for more transparency and the sale of additional properties. While the diocese defends the proposal as “just and equitable.” Is that the goal? Or is it a strategic move to protect the church’s financial interests at the expense of survivors?
November 20, 2024: Heman G. Stark Detention Center
The Heman G. Stark Juvenile Correctional Youth Facility in Chino, San Bernardino County, was once considered one of the most violent juvenile institutions in California—and the nation. After years of ongoing violence and abuse, the facility was permanently shut down.
There are a lot of sex abuse claims coming out of this facility. If you have a potential claim, call us.
November 7, 2024: More Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Every single day in California we see new juvenile hall sex abuse lawsuits being filed. In a lawsuit filed this week in Los Angeles, a former detainee at Central Juvenile Hall, identified as “John Doe H.F.,” is seeking damages for childhood sexual abuse allegedly suffered while in the custody of the Los Angeles County-run juvenile detention facility.
According to the complaint, John Doe H.F. alleges that during his time as a minor in Central Juvenile Hall, he experienced numerous incidents of sexual assault, some of which were reportedly encouraged or witnessed by facility staff. The lawsuit claims that officials at the juvenile hall not only failed to intervene but also ignored prior reports of abuse, thereby allowing a dangerous environment to persist. It further asserts that the defendants neglected to adequately screen, supervise, or train staff, failing to protect minors from known risks of harm.
There are many possible detention center sex abuse defendants. But these are the ones our sex abuse lawyers have been focusing on:
Here are some of the most notable centers involved in such litigation:
- San Diego County Juvenile Hall: San Diego County’s Juvenile Hall has also been named in several lawsuits involving allegations of sexual misconduct by both staff members and other detainees. The lawsuits commonly assert that facility staff either overlooked signs of sexual abuse or did not have adequate protocols in place to prevent it.
- Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall: This facility has faced a series of lawsuits involving claims of physical and sexual abuse. Allegations have included inappropriate conduct by staff members and incidents between detainees. Plaintiffs in these cases often argue that the county failed to protect minors from foreseeable harm.
- Orange County Juvenile Hall: Located in Orange County, this facility has had several high-profile lawsuits in recent years involving claims of sexual abuse and misconduct by detention officers. Some cases have claimed that county officials ignored prior complaints, allowing abusive environments to persist.
November 4, 2024: Dr. Barry J. Brock Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Our legal team is actively investigating allegations of sexual exploitation and misconduct against OB/GYN Barry J. Brock, M.D. Numerous former patients have come forward, citing incidents of inappropriate conduct during examinations, unnecessary and invasive procedures, and medical negligence that allegedly resulted in serious harm. These claims, involving conduct spanning several decades, raise critical issues regarding patient safety and institutional oversight.
If you or someone you know experienced misconduct or harm in association with Dr. Brock, please contact us for a confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.
October 17, 2024: L.A. Archdiocese to Pay $1.5 Billion In Settlement
The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced yesterday that it has finalized a settlement agreement to pay $880 million in compensation to approximately 1,300 victims who allege sexual abuse by priests. Previously, the L.A. Archdiocese had paid $740 million to an earlier group of victims. With these combined settlements, the total payout for sexual abuse claims against the L.A. Archdiocese now stands at $1.5 billion.
October 16, 2024: New Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit filed yesterday, a man alleges that while he was a minor detainee at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California, he was subjected to childhood sexual assault, abuse, harassment, and molestation by other detainees and staff.
The complaint is short on specifics but is clear in its allegations that staff members not only failed to prevent the sexual molestation as it was happening but it also failed to properly screen, hire, monitor and train its people. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants knew or should have known about ongoing abuse at the facility. But it failed to take any real effort to protect the children in their custody. To this point, the lawsuit this negligence allowed sexual predators to continue working in the facility and harm minors, including the plaintiff.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence, breach of mandatory duties, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiff seeks damages for physical, psychological, and emotional injuries, as well as punitive damages.
October 15, 2024: $1.85 Million Influencer Lawsuit Settlement
A $1.85 million settlement has been reached in a child abuse lawsuit filed in California against the mother of YouTube star Piper Rockelle.
The lawsuit by 11 former members of the “Piper Squad” alleged emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. According to the lawsuit that led to this settlement, the mother made “offensive and sexually explicit comments” at the minors, encouraged the minors to be sexual with each other, and touched them inappropriately.
A darker underbelly of the influencer world emerges in cases like this, where minors are drawn into environments that blur the lines between work, play, and exploitation. You wonder how this woman has $1.85 million to settle a lawsuit like this. A new California laws require earnings of child influencers to be placed in trust funds accessible when they turn 18. Other states need to follow suit.
October 3, 2024: Failure to Supervise Lawsuit
In a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County, the family of a young girl identified as Jane Doe ML has filed a complaint against the Los Angeles Unified School District, alleging the district failed to protect her from repeated sexual assaults by a fellow student. The incidents allegedly occurred between October 2023 and April 2024 while the child was enrolled in a transitional kindergarten class.
October 1, 2024: Chowchilla Women’s Prison
Our lawyers are looking into sexual abuse and assault lawsuits at Chowchilla Women’s Prison.
These Chowchilla lawsuits focus on some pretty awful allegations: systemic sexual misconduct by prison staff, inadequate oversight, and failures by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to protect incarcerated women from abuse. Our law firm has been getting calls from former inmates who have reported ongoing sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation when they attempted to report misconduct.
September 20, 2024: LAUSD Pays $24 Million for Teacher Sex Abuse
The Los Angeles Unified School District agreed to pay $24 million to settle claims brought by three women who alleged that they were sexually abused by their elementary school teacher back in 2006-2007. The woman alleged that while they were 8 and 9-year-old students at Langdon Avenue Elementary School in North Hills, their teacher, David Ostovich, sexually abused them. Ostivich had previously worked at another LAUSD school where he received numerous complaints about inappropriate behavior with female students, but nothing was ever done.
September 10, 2024: $3.6 Million Settlement for Prisoner’s Wife
September 5, 2024: New School Sex Abuse Lawsuit
August 19, 2024: New Juvenile Detention Center Lawsuit
A new sex abuse lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of California by the plaintiff involves serious allegations of systemic failure and misconduct at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.
The plaintiff, formerly detained at this facility during juvenile hall proceedings, asserts that they were subjected to repeated acts of sexual assault, abuse, and molestation by fellow detainees. These grievous acts were allegedly either overlooked or tacitly permitted by facility staff, including supervisors and other employees.
Central to the plaintiff’s allegations is the accusation that the defendants grossly neglected their legal and ethical responsibilities to protect minor detainees. Detailed claims allege a fundamental failure in screening and hiring practices, with insufficient background checks that might have precluded hiring individuals who are sexual predators. The plaintiff contends that the lack of proper training and supervision enabled a culture where sexual abuse could occur unchecked, exacerbating the risks to vulnerable minors.
Moreover, the complaint outlines a breach of mandatory statutory and ethical duties, asserting that the defendants did not adhere to regulations requiring the reporting and prevention of abuse. This neglect purportedly extended to a failure to investigate known incidents of abuse effectively or to discipline staff involved, thereby perpetuating an unsafe environment.
August 5, 2024 – Insurance Coverage for Los Angeles District
August 1, 2024 – New Dublin Lawsuit
Plaintiff’s lawsuit says that between 2019 and 2022, she was subjected to sexual manipulation and assault by an officer who coerced her into a sexual relationship with promises and threats. The situation escalated when the officer forcibly raped her. Disgustingly, she says other officers were complicit in the abuse by acting as lookouts. Just horrible.
The complaint outlines a broader culture of abuse at FCI Dublin, highlighting that several staff members, including the former warden, were indicted or convicted for similar offenses. The warden who led the prison and was involved in training staff on the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), was himself convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse against inmates. Other officers at the facility have also faced criminal charges for sexually assaulting female inmates, underscoring a systemic problem within the institution.
July 29, 2024 – Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Lawsuit Update
Yet another civil lawsuit was filed last week involving allegations of child sexual abuse in California juvenile detention centers. The latest lawsuit includes two more plaintiffs claiming that they were sexually assaulted by staff members while they were inmates at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. One female plaintiff is alleging that she was at Los Padrinos for 2 months in 2011, when she was 15 years old. During that time, she was singled out by one of the guards who sexually abused her regularly.
Another plaintiff asserts that in 2005 he was a 13-year-old inmate at Los Padrinos when an employee at the facility entered his cell at night, held him face down, and raped him. The lawsuit explains that he screamed in pain for at least 5 minutes during the assault and nobody came to check on him or help.
July 17, 2024 – Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against MindGeek
A major new sexual abuse and trafficking lawsuit has been filed in California against the Canadian internet porn company MindGeek, now known as Aylo. MindGeek dominates the internet pornography market and owns popular platforms such as Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube.
These platforms host user-submitted pornographic content, which is then shared widely. The lawsuit alleges that MindGeek’s policies violated various state and federal laws by failing to screen out “child pornography” and by using an algorithm that allowed users to easily find illegal content featuring underage and non-consensual participants.
Additionally, the lawsuit targets the companies that financed MindGeek’s platform development.
July 14, 2024 – New Detention Center Lawsuit
In a new Los Angeles detention center sex abuse lawsuit, a plaintiff claims that he was abused at Central Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles, CA, where he experienced various acts of childhood sexual assault, abuse, harassment, and molestation.
These acts involved other minors and were witnessed or encouraged by unidentified staff members, including supervisors, teachers, counselors, nurses, physicians, detention officers, custodians, and other staff.
The complaint asserts that the defendants failed to properly screen, hire, train, and supervise the employees and individuals working at the juvenile hall, resulting in a lack of protection for the minors in their care.
Despite reports and evidence of misconduct, the defendants did not take appropriate action to stop the abuse, thereby allowing it to continue.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for the physical, emotional, psychological, and psychiatric injuries suffered due to the defendants’ negligence and breach of duty.
June 29, 2024 – $900 Million Verdict in Rape Civil Suit
This week, a Los Angeles jury awarded nearly $1 billion in damages for workplace sexual assault to a plaintiff against billionaire Alkiviades David.
The plaintiff, a former employee hired as a “brand ambassador” at one of David’s companies, filed suit in 2020 alleging years of sexual assault, battery, and harassment. Her lawsuit against alleged she was harassed and raped over three years from 2016 to 2019.
The jury awarded $100 million in compensatory damages and $800 million in punitive damages, marking one of the largest verdicts in a sexual assault case in history.
June 19, 2024 – Diocese of San Diego Plans to File Bankruptcy
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego announced plans to file for bankruptcy due to hundreds of legal claims from alleged sexual abuse victims.
Cardinal Robert McElroy stated that bankruptcy would enable the Diocese to compensate victims while continuing its mission. Last year, McElroy warned of potential bankruptcy, citing the need to address lawsuits dating back to 1945.
The Diocese previously settled 144 claims for $198 million in 2007, but over 450 new claims would exceed $550 million. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy will allow the Diocese’s parishes, charities, and schools to remain operational, although they must contribute to settlements. Plaintiffs’ lawyers criticized the Diocese’s bankruptcy move as a strategy to minimize compensation and avoid trials. They accused the Diocese of transferring assets to avoid settlements. The firm plans to work towards a fair settlement for the 457 survivors now involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
May 30, 2024 – Workplace Sex Assault Lawsuit
In a new workplace sexual assault lawsuit filed yesterday in Los Angeles, a then seventeen-year-old woman alleges she was sexually assaulted while working at Pizza Hut.
The complaint details specific incidents involving a coworker who unhooked the plaintiff’s bra on two separate occasions while she was working. The plaintiff claims Pizza Hut’s management knew what had happened and did nothing.
May 28, 2024 – New School Sex Abuse Settlement
Barstow Unified School District has agreed to a $2.38 million settlement in a child sex abuse lawsuit involving a former teacher, coach, and administrator, Mark L. Hassell.
This case is part of a larger pattern of alleged sexual misconduct within the district. This particular molestation lawsuit involved a student abused from 2004 to 2005 while she was 16 and 17 years old.
The lawsuit highlighted systemic issues within Barstow Unified, citing multiple instances where district employees, including high-ranking officials, were aware of Hassell’s misconduct but failed to report it to authorities, violating California’s mandated reporter law. The suit also pointed out that the district had a shameful history of ignoring sexual abuse allegations, with at least 14 alleged sexual predators reported within the district from 2004 to the present.
So this case is hardly an isolated incident for Barstow Unified. In 2021, the district paid $2.4 million to settle another lawsuit involving former teacher Katherine O’Neill. The plaintiff’s attorneys argue that the district’s failure to act on reports of abuse and lack of proper training for employees contributed to the ongoing problem.
The problems are not over for this district. It faces seven additional sex abuse lawsuits involving 25 reported victims over the last forty years.
More details are included in the settlement section below.
May 24, 2024: Mark Berndt Lawsuit
Another lawsuit was filed yesterday against the Los Angeles Unified School District alleging sexual abuse by Mark Berndt, a former teacher at Miramonte Elementary School. The district had notice in the 80s of what was happening yet he continued to teach children until 2011. Millions of dollars have already been spent on the Berndt settlement by the District.
The plaintiff in this case was 8. Berndt is now in jail.
May 22, 2024: Diocese of Oakland Seeks Bankruptcy Deadline Extension
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland has requested the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California to extend the deadlines for filing and obtaining acceptance of a reorganization plan to September 6 and November 5, 2024.
The request is due to the case’s size and complexity, involving over 570 creditors and 560 claims, including 386 related to childhood sexual abuse, many of which have substantial or unknown amounts.
Their motion explains that the unique aspects of handling claims related to childhood sexual abuse, such as confidentiality and equitable treatment, and the challenges of determining clergy sex abuse settlement amounts, add complexity. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 8, 2023, with disclosed assets and liabilities between $100 million and $500 million.
May 16, 2024: Owner of NY Knicks Seeks Dismissal of Sex Abuse Lawsuit
A massage therapist urged a California federal court to reject Knick’s owner, James Dolan, and his band’s motion to dismiss her sex abuse lawsuit.
The therapist’s lawsuit details how Dolan initiated unwanted sexual advances and manipulated her into compliance by leveraging his influence, deceiving her about her role on the tour, which was actually to fulfill his sexual demands. She also accuses Dolan of facilitating Weinstein’s assault by arranging a meeting under the guise of professional opportunities. She argues that Dolan’s intent and actions demonstrate coercion and fraud, fitting the criteria for sex trafficking and other allegations, and that her lawsuit should proceed.
April 23, 2024: Diocese of Sacramento Files Bankruptcy
As expected, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Sacramento submitted a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in a California court to manage liabilities stemming from historical childhood sexual abuse claims, potentially amounting to as much as $500 million. The filing was made to prevent the depletion of the debtor’s assets by the numerous claims. The church says this necessitated the protection of the bankruptcy court to reorganize and address the financial implications of these allegations.
Bankruptcy in sex abuse lawsuits are not the best-case scenario. But it is not all bad. In other jurisdictions, it has been a mixed bag. Bankr