Troubled Teen Sexual Abuse Lawsuit FAQs

Common Troubled Teen Industry Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Questions and Answers

This page contains answers to common sexual abuse lawsuit questions that apply to most claims related to troubled teen residential programs. To discuss your case in detail or ask specific questions related to your circumstances, contact our firm.

Our team of attorneys handling troubled teen sexual abuse lawsuit claims provides free, no-obligation case review. Simply contact our firm and one of our experienced lawyers will contact you promptly to provide a confidential consultation, completely free of charge.

Who can make a sexual abuse claim or file a troubled teen sexual abuse lawsuit?

Any person or family member of a person who experienced sexual abuse while in the care of a residential program in the troubled teen industry may be eligible to make a claim by filing a sexual abuse lawsuit against the responsible institution.

What does it cost to file a troubled teen sexual abuse lawsuit?

We are committed to representing all persons involved in a troubled teen sexual abuse lawsuit on a contingency basis, meaning there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. To access your free, no-obligation consultation, use the online chat feature or contact form on this site. One of our lawyers handling national troubled teen industry lawsuits for reports of sexual abuse will contact you to answer any of your questions.

What constitutes sexual abuse in a teen treatment program?

Anytime a minor in the care of an institution is treated inappropriately, there may be grounds for filing a claim. Specific types of sexual abuse that have been documented in congregate care settings for youth and teens include: sexual assault or any sexual contact between staff and student; recounting of sexual experienced between staff and student; forced pelvic exams/ virginity checks; the cruel and unusual use of strip searches and cavity searches; grooming for emotional or sexual relationships; viewing, photographing or filming youth in undress,or showing pornographic images to youth; forced sexualized behavior, reenactments of sexual assault and sexual shaming, and a variety of methods used for the sole purpose of "conversion therapy" of LGBTQ+ youth.

How are troubled teen programs getting away with sexual abuse?

Over the past decade, a deluge of sexual abuse reports have emerged regarding troubled teen programs, but the problem is not new. For decades, these programs have been operating with very little oversight. Unlike other congregate care settings such as childcare programs and nursing homes, there is very little federal or state regulation that governs the troubled teen industry. This has been a hugely lucrative industry for private companies, with widely varying outcomes. Some programs are high-quality and actually produce the results they purport, but many others cause more harm than healing.

My teen is reluctant to file a lawsuit. How can I help reassure them?

One thing that survivors say again and again is that taking the step of reporting the abuse helps to regain control in one’s life. It is not an easy step, and litigation alone cannot heal someone of sexual abuse. But we know that sexual abuse is a crime about power, and bringing the harm into the open can help the survivor regain their sense of power and overcome their fear. We believe that filing a troubled teen sexual abuse lawsuit can be one piece of the healing puzzle. For some, the opportunity to hold the institution accountable and to advocate for change to prevent future victimization can be a very empowering experience.

Aren't these just class action lawsuits where the plaintiff receives very little money?

No. Each sexual abuse case filed for harm caused in congregate care or a teen treatment center is handled individually and may result in significant compensation for the family. Troubled teen programs purport to heal and help young people, and when the opposite occurs–when staff members take advantage of or abuse minors in their care–the institution can and must be held accountable. Survivors of sexual abuse in teen treatment settings deserve compensation for the harm and suffering that have resulted from sexual abuse.

How much time do I have to file a sexual abuse lawsuit related to a troubled teen program?

The answer to this question varies on a state-to-state basis. In some states, persons who are sexually abused as minors have 5, 8 or even 15 years to report the abuse after they turn 18. In other states, there is no Statute of Limitations for reporting child sexual abuse. Some states have additional discovery rules which provide a specific window of time to report abuse after it is discovered at a later date. To learn about time limits that may apply to your claim, we recommend you contact an attorney in the near future. To learn about specific time limits in your area, please complete our contact form and one of our attorneys will contact you as quickly as possible, usually within the hour.

Does it cost anything for you to review my case?

We will always listen to your circumstances and give you our analysis of your case without any cost or further obligation.

We're not the type of people who sue; do we really need to file a lawsuit?

If a member of your family experienced sexual abuse while under the care of a teen treatment program or troubled teen facility, they may experience long-term or life-long impacts. The layers of harm and suffering, both physical and emotional, that survivors of sexual abuse face is impossible to measure, yet we know that recovery may be costly in terms of time, effort and money. Furthermore, no amount of money can undo the wrong that has been acted upon you or a loved one. It is our fervent hope that with every sexual abuse lawsuit, can serve to make the responsible institutions take note of the trauma and pain that has resulted. When that fails to make a program institute changes to protect youth in their care, we rely on financial pressure to create change. Unfortunately, in all too many cases it is only the fear of lawsuits and large settlements and verdicts that ultimately leads to policy change and enforcement.