Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center

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Content Last Updated: May 8, 2025

Key Takeaways

The Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center was shut down after reports of overcrowding, staff misconduct, and widespread patient abuse led to numerous lawsuits.
The state is now facing numerous lawsuits alleging rampant sexual abuse at the facility.
Survivors of institutional abuse are protected by constitutional and civil rights, including the ability to seek justice under New Jersey’s expanded statute of limitations.
Filing a lawsuit requires strong documentation and legal support, and the Police Brutality Center can help you build your case and pursue compensation.

New Jersey’s Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center, a shuttered state-run psychiatric treatment center for children, has been the subject of mounting allegations of sexual and physical abuse and neglect as survivors come forward decades after the facility closed.

When you send a loved one to a mental health treatment facility, you trust the facility’s staff to prioritize your family member’s safety and well-being and treat them with respect and care. Unfortunately, mistreatment and abuse at such facilities are all too common. However, survivors of abuse and mistreatment have rights and legal options for pursuing justice.

If your loved one experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the Arthur Brisbane Treatment Center, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm. Police Brutality Center provides resources and support to victims of brutality and abuse. We can connect you with compassionate attorneys to advise you about your rights and pursue justice on your behalf. Call us today for more information.

Overview of Issues at the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center

Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center was a state-run psychiatric facility for adolescents in New Jersey. It has been the subject of scrutiny for some time now due to a handful of documented cases of abuse and neglect.

In the 1980s, an evaluation revealed that the center experienced extensive overcrowding, with the admissions ward accommodating nearly 80 children in space intended for 40. Other issues were present as well, such as staff intimidation, outdated restraint methods, and children not being separated based on their disorder severity, leading to violence. The facility was plagued by a lack of proper medical facilities, outdated infrastructure, insufficient staff training, and inadequate supervision. Due to these issues, the state finally closed the facility in 2005.

Since the closure, many former patients have come forward to recount their poor experiences with the facility, including allegations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Many of these former residents recall staff provoking them into an outburst, only to face punishment with restraints or medication. Similarly, reports indicate that newer residents were forced to sleep on the floor due to shortages of beds.

The Case of Kelly Young

In one tragic case from 1998, a patient named Kelly Young died from injuries caused by the improper use of restraints. Shockingly, the staff members involved were not held accountable despite their role in the incident.

By 2005, New Jersey child welfare officials decided to close the facility in response to the ongoing challenges and complaints.

Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

In 2019, New Jersey modified its civil statute of limitations for childhood mental health facility sexual abuse claims, enabling victims to initiate lawsuits until they turn 55 or within seven years of discovering the abuse. This led to a significant increase in legal actions, with over 150 lawsuits filed against state-run child treatment centers as of April 2025. Among these centers is the now-closed Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Patients and past-patients of psychiatric facilities have fundamental rights and freedoms under federal and state laws. These include the right to safe and humane treatment and protection from abuse and neglect.

Fundamental Rights

Mental health facilities must provide an environment that is caring, safe, and free from abuse. This includes protection against all forms of mistreatment, whether physical, emotional, or sexual harm.

All patients have the right to be informed about their treatment and can either consent to or refuse it. Exceptions to this include emergencies or situations where treatment is permitted by law. Lastly, confidentiality of patient medical records and communication is guaranteed.

Constitutional and Legal Rights

Psychiatric patients and former patients have rights protected under federal laws, such as:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act: The Department of Justice has the right to investigate and address systemic rights violations in public institutions, including state-run psychiatric facilities
Youngberg v. Romeo: In 1982, the Supreme Court declared that involuntarily committed patients have protections against unsafe conditions, unreasonable restraints, and inadequate staff training. These protections apply to patients of the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center, many of whom were involuntarily committed.

Obligations of Mental Health Institutions

Based on these rights afforded to patients of state-run facilities, the center itself and the staff are obligated to do the following:

Provide a safe environment with proper medical and psychiatric treatment
Protect New Jersey mental health patient rights by implementing policies and procedures
Train staff to recognize the signs of abuse and how to report these issues
Compliance with state and federal laws concerning patient care and rights

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Cases

It is essential for individuals who experienced sexual abuse at New Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center or another psychiatric facility in New Jersey to understand the deadline to file suit. As of 2019, victims can file a lawsuit until age 55 or within seven years of the discovery of abuse. A dedicated attorney with Police Brutality Center can review your case and help file on time with the correct documentation.

How to File a Civil Lawsuit Against Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center

When you or a loved one is considering filing a lawsuit, there are several essential steps to consider:

Gather Evidence

Collect and organize documentation for your case, including personal records, medical documents, and any other evidence related to the time spent at the facility. Anything that provides proof of injury will be vital to your case, such as hospital visits, psychiatric evaluations, or incident reports. Our lawyers can help with this collection process and ensure you have adequate evidence to support your lawsuit.

Report the Incident

Once you have evidence of abuse, report it to the proper authorities. Contact the New Jersey State Police or a local law enforcement agency. You can also report the abuse to the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency to document your case for historical purposes.

Consult an Attorney

Speaking with a lawyer is one of the most critical steps in pursuing justice. At Police Brutality Center, we work with legal professionals who have in-depth knowledge of the laws governing psychiatric facilities and how to advocate for victims of abuse. Police Brutality Center can connect you with a highly skilled attorney who can do the following:

Analyze your case and evaluate your eligibility for compensation
Investigate the abuse and gather critical evidence and documentation
Handle all communications with the opposing parties and their attorneys
Negotiate for a full and fair settlement
File your claims and litigate your case, handling all the legal details
Represent you in court and fight for your rights at trial if necessary

Do not suffer in silence. Contact us today.

Get Help From a Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one experienced abuse at the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center, you have rights and options for pursuing justice. Police Brutality Center is dedicated to helping survivors overcome physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at prisons, detention centers, and other institutions and hold those responsible for the harm accountable.

We can connect you with a compassionate lawyer today. Call or contact us online for a free initial consultation.