San Diego Juvenile Detention Center Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Content Last Updated: September 30, 2025

Key Takeaways

Former inmates have filed multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at multiple San Diego County juvenile detention centers, including East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility and A.B. Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center.
Survivors of juvenile detention center sexual abuse in California have the right to seek justice and compensation for the harm they endured.
There is no statute of limitations for cases of childhood sexual assault occurring in 2024 or later. Minors sexually abused before then generally have until their 40th birthday to file suit.
Pursuing legal representation can help survivors of abuse at juvenile detention centers navigate the complexities of filing lawsuits and understand their rights and legal options.

Overview of Juvenile Detention Facilities in San Diego County

Since a 2019 law extended the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits in California, more abuse survivors of juvenile detention facilities in San Diego County have come forward. Multiple lawsuits filed allege unchecked sexual abuse by staff members of these facilities, including East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility and the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center.

Correction officers and staff members are in a position of power over detainees. Many exploited this authority to prey on youths in the facilities’ custody.

Allegations of Sexual Abuse in San Diego Juvenile Detention Centers

Dozens of former detainees of juvenile detention centers in San Diego County have come forward with allegations of abuse by staff members. These allegations range from physical to sexual abuse at the hands of the staff and officers working at these facilities. These victims allegedly faced threats or violence if they attempted to report the abuse, and believed centers systematically failed to protect them.

In May, the California Attorney General opened a civil rights investigation into the conditions at San Diego County’s juvenile detention facilities to determine if the county and its Office of Education have “engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful treatment of youth.”

East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility

East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility is a 290-bed facility for boys that serves as the primary booking facility for all juvenile detentions in San Diego County. The population is mostly comprised of pre-adjudicated youths awaiting disposition by the Juvenile Court or those awaiting placement in therapeutic programs or transfers.

The attorney general has named East Mesa as one of the targets of the San Diego County investigation. According to a national survey, 14% of detainees at East Mesa reported being sexually victimized by a staff member, with 3% reporting that the staff member used force during the encounter. In addition, a San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission survey found an increase in the use of force and Oleoresin Capsicum spray in 2023.

The survey also found there were allegations in the past year of physically assaulting a youth in custody and inappropriately touching a youth.

Polinsky Children's Center

The Polinsky Children’s Center, a 24-hour facility providing temporary emergency shelter for children, is owned and operated by the county’s Health and Human Services Agency.

More than two dozen lawsuits have been filed against San Diego County alleging decades of child sexual abuse by staff members at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center. These civil lawsuits raise counts for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Plaintiffs allege they faced abuse, inadequate supervision, and isolation at the facility. They further assert that they feared reporting the assaults would lead to more severe and frequent abuse and physical harm. They claim the county failed to adequately screen employees and protect the children in its care.

According to a San Diego County Juvenile Justice Commission survey, 37 investigations were reportedly conducted at Polinsky Children’s Center during 2023. The allegations included physical and sexual abuse. Three of these investigations substantiated the allegations.

Currently, East Mesa and Polinsky Children’s Center remain open

Legal Rights and Options for Survivors of San Diego Juvenile Detention Center

Reporting

Survivors can begin the process of holding the abusers and their enablers accountable by reporting the crime. This is not an easy step, but it can be crucial.

To report the abuse, visit your local police and provide the details. Regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred, reporting the abuse can trigger a criminal investigation. Even if prosecutors refuse to pursue charges, reporting to law enforcement will create a paper trail that can be valuable in litigation if you choose to pursue a lawsuit. It might also encourage other survivors to come forward.

In addition, collect any evidence you may have regarding the crime, such as medical records, correspondence with the facility, and a list of witnesses with their contact information.

Filing a Lawsuit

After reporting the misconduct to authorities, a prosecutor will decide whether to bring criminal charges. As the victim, you would have little control over the criminal process. However, a civil lawsuit can hold the perpetrator and institutions accountable and allow you to pursue Justice. In a civil lawsuit, you can pursue recovery of all your damages resulting from the harm, including medical bills, therapy costs, lost earning capacity, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.

Statute of Limitations

California has recently expanded its civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse twice. In 2019, lawmakers enacted a law allowing child sexual assault survivors to file lawsuits until their 40th birthday or within five years of discovering the harm the abuse caused, whichever is later. Before this bill, California only gave victims of childhood sexual abuse until age 26 to file a lawsuit.

Five years later, California lawmakers eliminated the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault claims arising on or after January 1, 2024. For cases of abuse that occurred before this date, the 40th birthday deadline still applies.

For adult victims of sexual assault, there is a 10-year statute of limitations, or within three years of the victim discovering the damages sustained as a result.

If you or your loved one has experienced sexual assault or another kind of abuse while at a San Diego juvenile detention center, you have the right to pursue justice.

A civil lawsuit allows you to hold the perpetrator and enablers accountable and pursue compensation for losses caused by the abuse. A skilled civil rights attorney fighting for you can empower you, provide the resources to heal, and determine the best course of action for the suit.

If you’re considering a lawsuit over sexual abuse at a San Diego juvenile detention center, representation by a skilled and knowledgeable civil rights lawyer can help. A lawyer can answer your questions about filing, handle the legal details, conduct a thorough investigation, and advocate for your interests throughout the process.

How The Police Brutality Center Can Help

If you or someone you know or love has experienced sexual abuse at a San Diego juvenile detention center, you don’t have to stay silent. Police Brutality Center can connect you to law firms specializing in filing civil lawsuits against those who perpetrated or enabled abuse and seek justice for the suffering caused. We can also connect you with support resources for survivors of abuse and police brutality.

Police Brutality Center can help you seek justice and accountability for abuse at the hands of staff members at juvenile detention centers. Find experienced legal counsel for yourself or your family, and contact Policy Brutality Center today.