The Dorothy Kirby Center was intended to be a place of guidance and rehabilitation for vulnerable youth. For many, however, it became a place of deep betrayal, where the very individuals and systems entrusted with their care became sources of trauma and suffering. If you or a loved one endured sexual abuse while at the Dorothy Kirby Center, we want you to know that the weight of this trauma is not yours to carry alone, and we want to help.
In March 2024, the Los Angeles County Probation Department reported that “the department’s Chief Safety and Security Officer became aware of a sexual relationship involving an on-duty female Probation Officer with a male youth detainee.”
Ultimately, the employee was arrested and charged with arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purpose; sex with an inmate; unauthorized possession of a wireless communication device or any device capable of recording audio and/or video, within any secured area of a Custody Services Division facility; and bringing contraband into a jail, according to an online announcement from the department.
This is just one example of an inappropriate sexual relationship between a staff member in a position of power and a vulnerable, minor detainee in the Los Angeles County juvenile detention system. There are, unfortunately, other such cases, and if you or a loved one was sexually abused at the Dorothy Kirby Center or a similar LA County facility, Phillips Law Group may be able to help.
At Phillips Law Group, we know that the violation of sexual assault can leave deep, invisible wounds. The path to healing is profoundly personal, but you do not have to walk it in silence. Pursuing a legal claim is about more than financial compensation; it is a powerful act of reclaiming your voice. It is about demanding accountability from these institutions that failed in their most basic duty to protect young people.
At our firm, we are committed to creating a confidential and judgment-free environment where your story is heard and honored. Our team can work to conduct investigations to expose the patterns of negligence and systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur at the Dorothy Kirby Center or other facilities like it in California.
During the course of our investigation, we will determine the responsible parties – including individual perpetrators and governing bodies such as the Los Angeles County Probation Department – whose oversight failures may have enabled the abuse. And we will work hard to hold them accountable.
We understand the unique complexities of sexual abuse lawsuits. Our experienced team is well-versed in these challenges and is more than prepared to guide you through every step with competence and compassion.
You don’t need to let the silence and inaction of others dictate the course of your recovery. By taking this first, courageous step toward healing, you are not only seeking justice for yourself but also helping to protect future generations from similar harm at juvenile detention and residential treatment centers in California and beyond.
Your voice has been silenced for too long. We want to help you be heard. Reach out to our firm today for a completely confidential, no-obligation, free consultation.
Together, we can assist you in securing the justice and closure you deserve. Call 602-222-2222 or fill out the form on this page to learn more now.
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