Did you experience sexual abuse as an incarcerated minor at Denney Youth Center or Denney Juvenile Justice Center? A lawsuit filed against Snohomish County, Wash. seeks justice for survivors. Fill out the form to find out your rights »
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
Hagens Berman has filed a lawsuit against Snohomish County, owner and operator of two youth detention facilities in Everett — Denney Youth Center and Denney Juvenile Justice Center — where formerly incarcerated minors allege experiencing systemic child sexual abuse. According to attorneys, Snohomish County failed to protect the children in its care, violating their constitutional rights and allowed guards and staff to commit consistent child sexual abuse, with some victims as young as 10 years old.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M AFFECTED?
If you are a formerly incarcerated minor who experienced sexual harassment or other inappropriate actions, contact our legal team. Our secure messaging service offers a safe space to survivors to speak out and be heard, confidentially. Your information and comments will be sent directly to our legal team and kept secure. Our firm strives to protect the rights and safety of survivors everywhere.
SNOHOMISH CO. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER ALLEGATIONS EXPLAINED
According to the lawsuit, the abuse suffered at Denney Youth Center and Denney Juvenile Justice Center was not random or one-off instances, it was an “institutional failure.” Attorneys allege Snohomish County’s policies, practices and procedures enabled and empowered a culture of abuse, including:
- failure to maintain any adequate reporting mechanisms to report sexual abuse,
- failure to supervise employees,
- failure to train staff regarding sexual abuse prevention and compliance with laws aimed at preventing sexual abuse,
- authorization of staff to conduct invasive strip searches,
- allowing staff to monitor the children while they showered,
- authorization of staff to use grooming methods such as bringing gifts,
- allowing unsupervised one-on-one time with youth, including in their cells and in “blind spots” within the jail.
The lawsuit alleges that Snohomish County failed to uphold its duty of care for its incarcerated minors, a uniquely vulnerable and dependent population.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT & CHILD SEX ABUSE LAW FIRM
Hagens Berman’s experienced attorneys are armed with resources and compassion for representing victims of child sexual abuse, as well as sexual assault, harassment and retaliation. Our firm has fought to hold alleged abusers accountable for their actions. Those who have been subjected to this kind of abuse deserve every opportunity to have their day in court, to be heard and believed, and to obtain peaceful resolution. It is our goal to do everything within our power to use the law to achieve that end.
NO COST TO YOU
There is no scenario where any individual will be asked to pay out-of-pocket attorney fees or legal costs. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to plaintiffs, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to plaintiffs’ legal team.
