Recent lawsuits have brought to light disturbing allegations of systemic sexual abuse at Cook County's Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), spanning from the mid-1990s to 2022. Nearly 200 former detainees have come forward, claiming they endured egregious mistreatment and abuse at the hands of adult staff members.
The lawsuits, filed on behalf of 193 plaintiffs, assert that the state of Illinois allowed a "culture of sexual abuse to flourish unabated" within the JTDC. The legal complaint describes allegations of rape and other forms of abuse, all carried out under the guise of institutional authority.
The plaintiffs recount harrowing experiences of being isolated and abused in environments where they were already vulnerable. Victims report being threatened with further violence or extended detention time if they spoke out, while some were given incentives like extra food or privileges to remain silent.
One plaintiff, identified only by initials, describes multiple instances of abuse by different staff members, who allegedly took him to secluded areas and threatened him with the loss of recreational time and outside food if he reported the abuse. Another victim recounts being restrained and sexually abused by staff members, facing punitive measures when he resisted.
The JTDC has a troubled history, marked by calls for its closure due to overcrowding, inadequate supervision, and previous legal challenges. A 1999 class-action lawsuit exposed numerous issues, including excessive use of confinement and unsanitary conditions, leading to significant state intervention in 2007. Despite these measures, the facility's persistent problems have led to renewed scrutiny and legal action.
Attorney Todd Matthews of Bailey Glasser LLP, representing the victims, condemned the ongoing nature of the abuse, stating, "This happened over and over and over again... It’s still going on. It has to stop, and this is the way it’s going to stop."
The plaintiffs seek substantial damages, approximately $2 million per individual, aiming to hold the state and Cook County accountable.
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