May 30, 2025 – Zion Williamson Lawsuit
A woman filed a civil suit in Los Angeles alleging sexual assault by Zion Williamson, claiming ongoing abuse and threats across multiple states.

May 28, 2025 – Juvenile Hall Claims
New lawsuits have been filed against Los Angeles juvenile detention centers. Attorneys are currently accepting cases for victims under age 40.

May 27, 2025 – Los Padrinos Detention Center
A Downey man filed suit against Los Angeles County, alleging systemic abuse at Los Padrinos Detention Center by a psychiatric social worker.

May 18, 2025 – Widespread Juvenile Hall Abuse Lawsuits
Multiple plaintiffs are suing Los Angeles County, citing years of sexual abuse by staff at juvenile detention centers, including Los Padrinos and Central Juvenile Hall.

May 16, 2025 – Notre Dame High School Lawsuit
A woman sued Notre Dame High School and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for failing to prevent sexual assault by another student while she was a minor.

April 18, 2025 – Controversial Senate Bill 832
New legislation proposes stricter standards of proof for revived child sexual abuse cases. Advocates warn this bill undermines survivor protections.

April 11, 2025 – Jury Verdict Against Soulja Boy
A Los Angeles jury awarded over $4 million to a former assistant who accused Soulja Boy of sexual assault and emotional abuse.

April 10, 2025 – LDS Church Lawsuits Consolidated
A series of lawsuits allege widespread sexual abuse by members of the LDS Church. Over 90 claims have been consolidated for coordinated proceedings.

April 7, 2025 – $4 Billion LA County Settlement
Los Angeles County reached a $4 billion settlement to resolve nearly 7,000 sexual abuse claims involving juvenile detention and foster care facilities.

April 2, 2025 – George Foreman Estate Lawsuits
Following George Foreman’s death, plaintiffs alleging past sexual abuse have sought to pause litigation to address estate matters.

March 13, 2025 – Montebello Unified School District Lawsuit
A former student filed a civil lawsuit alleging years of sexual abuse by her high school math teacher, detailing systemic inaction by school staff.

March 7, 2025 – El Dorado County Van Driver Lawsuit
A developmentally disabled woman filed suit after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a school transportation employee.

March 6, 2025 – Class Action Denied Against USF
Class certification was denied in a sex abuse suit against former University of San Francisco coaches, allowing individual claims to proceed.

March 4, 2025 – Juvenile Detention Gladiator Fights Indictment
Thirty detention officers were indicted for organizing violent fights among juveniles. The culture of abuse has drawn further scrutiny from state officials.

March 1, 2025 – OB/GYN Prison Abuse Lawsuit
Six women sued a Chino prison gynecologist, alleging years of sexual abuse during medical examinations that went unaddressed by staff.

February 23, 2025 – Temescal Canyon High School Investigation
Sexual abuse allegations at Temescal Canyon High School have triggered law enforcement and legal investigations.

Understanding Sexual Abuse in California

Sexual abuse and assault are defined under California Penal Code § 243.4 as any unwanted sexual touching or contact for gratification. Civil cases refer to this conduct as sexual battery. Key legal elements include:

• Intent: The touching must be for sexual purposes.
  
  
• Lack of Consent: All sexual contact with minors is non-consensual under the law.
  
  

Civil Lawsuits for Sexual Abuse

Survivors can file civil lawsuits to recover monetary compensation even if:

• They never reported the abuse.
  
  
• No criminal charges were filed.
  
  
• The perpetrator is deceased or incarcerated.
  
  

California law also permits anonymity (e.g., Jane Doe) in civil complaints to protect survivor privacy.

Settlement Value Overview

While every case is unique, many California sex abuse settlements fall between $600,000 and $2 million. Factors influencing compensation include:

• The duration and severity of abuse
  
  
• Institutional negligence
  
  
• Long-term trauma
  
  
• Power dynamics (e.g., teacher-student)
  
  
• The skill of the plaintiff’s legal team
  
  

Notable Settlements:

• $4B – LA County (2025)
  
  
• $880M – Catholic Archdiocese (2024)
  
  
• $24M – LAUSD teacher abuse case
  
  
• $116M – DOJ prison abuse settlement
  
  

Statute of Limitations in California

• Childhood Abuse: File before age 40, or within 5 years of discovering the harm.
  
  
• Adult Assault: 10 years from the last incident or 3 years from discovery of psychological injury.
  
  

Legal Process: What to Expect

1. Confidential Consultation
   
   
2. Evidence Gathering
   
   
3. Filing Lawsuit (Name May Remain Confidential)
   
   
4. Settlement or Trial
   
   

Most cases settle, but experienced attorneys are ready to go to court when necessary.

Third-Party Liability

Lawsuits are often filed against institutions (e.g., schools, churches, detention centers) rather than just individual abusers. These entities may be held liable for:

• Failing to act on complaints
  
  
• Improper supervision
  
  
• Lack of training
  
  
• Creating environments that allowed abuse
  
  

Sample Verdicts & Settlements

• $17.5M – Tamalpais Union High School (tennis coach abuse)
  
  
• $3.6M – Visitor strip-searched at a prison facility
  
  
• $2.38M – Student abused by principal at Barstow school
  
  

Survivor Action Plan (8 Steps)

1. Ensure safety
   
   
2. Seek medical care
   
   
3. Report the abuse
   
   
4. Preserve evidence
   
   
5. Get emotional support
   
   
6. Consult a lawyer
   
   
7. Consider restraining orders
   
   
8. Focus on healing
   
   

Appellate Case Law Highlights

• Jane S.D. Doe v. Superior Court – Rules for evidence admission in sex abuse claims
  
  
• James Safechuck v. MJJ Productions – Corporate duty to prevent abuse
  
  
• Coats v. New Haven USD – Revival of childhood abuse claims for direct victims only
  
  

Juvenile Detention Center Lawsuits

Juvenile hall abuse cases have increased under new legal reforms. Facilities like Los Padrinos, Central Juvenile Hall, and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall face lawsuits for systemic abuse and failure to protect minors.

Choosing a California Sex Abuse Lawyer

California Victims Rights provides legal support for survivors seeking justice through civil lawsuits. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, professional legal guidance is crucial. There is no cost for a consultation, and no fee unless a recovery is made.