HARRISBURG - The state Department of Human Services faces a lawsuit alleging widespread sexual abuse of juveniles at detention facilities.
In a lawsuit filed July 31 in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, 20 plaintiffs allege that they were subjected to extensive sexual abuse while confined in Pennsylvania's state-run juvenile detention facilities.
The plaintiffs claim that the abuse spanned over 15 years and involved guards, counselors, and other staff members. The complaint details numerous instances of sexual misconduct, including rape and coercive sexual contact.
The plaintiffs assert that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) failed to protect them despite being aware of the ongoing abuse. The lawsuit seeks damages for physical, psychological, and emotional injuries resulting from this alleged negligence.
John Guinan of Levy Konigsberg represents the plaintiff with help from other attorneys at that firm, Bailey & Glasser and Cornerstone Legal Group,