Lawsuit Information Center
This page will look at Barry Nidorf Juvenile Hall sex abuse lawsuits. Former juvenile inmates at Nidorf Juvenile Hall (which is commonly known as Sylmar Juvenile Hall) who were victims of sexual abuse at the facility are now bringing civil lawsuits against Los Angeles County and getting financial compensation. Victims who bring a successful claim can get settlement payouts for the harm caused by the abuse.
If you have a potential lawsuit for sexual abuse at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, call our California sex abuse lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.
About Barry J. Nidorf “Sylmar” Juvenile Hall
Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall (BJNJH), also known as Sylmar Juvenile Hall, is a LA County juvenile detention facility located in Sylmar, CA. BJNJH is a short term holding facility to “pre-determination” juvenile offenders. These are juveniles who are facing criminal charges and are remanded to custody until adjudication and sentencing. Once sentencing, juveniles will be transferred from BJNJH and either sent home or sent to a longer term correctional facility.
Juvenile inmates at BJNJH are housed in 16 Living Units that have a maximum capacity of 30 to 35 detainees each. The facility has a max capacity of around 500. The Living Unit is where the detainees eat, sleep, and tend to their activities of daily living. There are 4 units which house the high-risk offenders. In addition, there is a Hope Center on location for males and females to help treat inmates with an acute behavioral issue.
Abuse at Sylmar Juvenile Hall
BJNJH has a very bad reputation for harsh treatment of its juvenile inmates. Correctional staff at the facility are reportedly very physical and frequently use shackles, body slams, and other means of physical restraint to enforce order. California’s state juvenile detention system also has a very grim history of abuse and mistreatment of juvenile inmates.
Recent lawsuits and investigations have revealed that sexual abuse of juvenile inmates at BJNJH and other facilities was a major problem for years. The primary problem was administrative neglect and a lack of monitoring and oversight by the Los Angeles County Probation Department (LACPD). LACPD has operational control and authority over all the County’s juvenile detention facilities, including BJNJH.
Sexual abuse of juvenile inmates at Sylmar Juvenile Hall is usually committed by correctional officers and other staff members at the facility. These abusers use their positions of power and authority, combined with their unmonitored access, to coerce juvenile inmates into sexual favors. The sexual abuse coercion usually takes the form of threats of physical harm or removal of privileges, combined with extra perks and benefits for cooperation.
All the juvenile detention facilities in LA Count have been plagued by decades of sexual abuse allegations, cover-ups, and administrative negligence. The recurring themes across all facilities include:
- Sexual misconduct by correctional officers and staff members
- Failure to protect minors from known predators
- Negligent hiring and supervision of high-risk employees
- Intimidation, retaliation, and coercion against victims
- Deliberate indifference by administrators who failed to act on abuse complaints
What Qualifies As Sexual Abuse In California?
Under California law, sexual assault or sexual abuse is defined as any non-consensual sexual touching or contact carried out for the purpose of sexual gratification. In civil cases, these actions are commonly prosecuted under the legal classification of sexual battery, a broad term that includes a range of misconduct—from unwanted touching to acts of violent rape.
For an act to legally qualify as sexual abuse, two key elements must be present:
Intentional and Sexually Motivated Contact: The touching must be deliberate and driven by sexual intent. Accidental contact—such as brushing against someone in a crowded space or reaching out to catch someone from falling—does not meet the legal threshold, as it lacks the necessary sexual motivation.
Lack of Consent: Any intentional sexual touching without clear, mutual consent is considered sexual abuse or assault. Importantly, California law states that minors under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sexual activity. As a result, any sexual contact between an adult and a minor is automatically classified as sexual battery, regardless of the circumstances or the minor’s perceived willingness.
Lawsuits For Sexual Abuse At Sylmar Juvenile Hall
LACPD holds full responsibility for the oversight and management of all operations at Sylmar Juvenile Hall. This includes the screening, hiring, training, and supervision of correctional officers and facility staff. As the governing authority, LACPD has a legal duty to ensure the safety, care, and custody of every juvenile in its care.
LACPD may be held legally liable for instances of sexual abuse if it knew—or reasonably should have known—about the risk of harm and failed to take appropriate steps to protect detainees. To establish liability in a civil claim, a survivor must demonstrate that their abuse was directly linked to LACPD’s negligence. This can include specific oversights, such as ignoring prior complaints against known abusers, or broader systemic issues like inadequate staffing policies, poor supervision, or failures in reporting and response protocols.
Survivors of abuse at Sylmar Juvenile Hall have reported a pattern of sexual assault, harassment, and coercion by correctional officers, facility staff, and in some cases, other detainees.
The other major shortcoming by LACPD was a failure to investigate complaints. When juvenile inmates complained about sexual abuse by staff or correctional officers, administration at the facility routinely disregarded or dismissed these complaints without any type of investigation. In some cases, allegations were actually suppressed. The direct result of this was that predatory staff members were allowed to continue abusing inmates without any fear of consequences.
Civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of juvenile inmates at Sylmar Juvenile Hall seek to hold LA County legally accountable for allow the abuse to occur by forcing the County to pay financial compensation to victims of abuse. LACPD may be held legally accountable for incidents of sexual abuse if it knew—or reasonably should have known—about the risk of abuse and failed to take appropriate action to prevent it.
Deadline for Juvenile Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Recent changes to California law have significantly expanded the time survivors of childhood sexual abuse have to pursue civil justice, removing many of the barriers that once prevented victims from filing lawsuits.
For Abuse Occurring On or After January 1, 2024
As of January 1, 2024, California law eliminates the statute of limitations for civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse. This means survivors can now file a lawsuit at any point in their lives, regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse took place.
For Abuse Occurring Before January 1, 2024
For older cases, the previous statute of limitations still applies. Survivors must file a civil claim by their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the lasting psychological effects of the abuse—whichever occurs later. If this legal window has already closed, the opportunity to file a lawsuit may no longer be available under current law.
Settlement Value of Sylmar Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Lawsuits involving sexual abuse at juvenile detention facilities often result in significant financial settlements. This is due in large part to the profound and lasting psychological trauma survivors experience, as well as the strong emotional response such cases can provoke in juries. To avoid the risks of a trial, many defendants choose to settle out of court. Several key factors influence the potential value of these claims:
- Severity of Harm
The extent of the abuse and its emotional toll play a central role in determining compensation. Survivors diagnosed with conditions such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, or clinical depression often receive higher settlements due to the long-term consequences on their mental health and overall well-being. - Evidence
While a survivor’s personal testimony can be enough to initiate a claim, supporting evidence greatly enhances a case. This may include medical records, internal reports, staff disciplinary actions, witness statements, or facility investigations, all of which can add credibility and increase the lawsuit’s value. - Duration and Frequency of the Abuse
Repeated or long-term abuse generally results in larger settlements than isolated incidents. A pattern of misconduct indicates a deeper institutional failure, which not only heightens emotional impact but also strengthens claims of negligence. - Identification of the Abuser
Survivors are not required to name their abuser to file a lawsuit—many victims, especially those abused as minors, may not recall specific identities. However, when the perpetrator is identified and a direct link to the abuse is established, the case is often viewed as stronger and may result in higher compensation. - Age of the Survivor at the Time of Abuse
The younger the victim at the time of the abuse, the more significant the long-term impact tends to be. Abuse that occurs during early childhood can severely affect emotional development, education, and future relationships, leading courts to award higher settlements in recognition of the lasting harm.
Contact Us About Sylmar Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits
If you were sexually abused at Sylmar Juvenile Hall, contact our sex abuse lawyers today for a free consultation. Contact us online or call us at 800-553-8082.
Other California Juvenile Facilities