New Jersey Training School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Financial Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse

At Injury Lawyer Team, we fight for survivors of New Jersey Training School sexual abuse in Monroe Township. This juvenile detention facility, run by the state’s Juvenile Justice Commission, has faced allegations of sexual assault and systemic neglect for decades. 

Former inmates and young people report sexual victimization, physical violence, and sexual conduct by facility staff and correctional officers.

Our experienced legal professionals know how devastating systemic abuse at juvenile detention centers can be. We help survivors seek justice by filing a New Jersey sexual abuse lawsuit against those responsible. With a deep knowledge of state law and the legal duty owed to troubled youth, our firm stands ready to pursue accountability, compensation, and change to protect future generations.

Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse at the New Jersey Training School in Monroe Township

The New Jersey Training School (NJTS) in Monroe Township (Middlesex County)—often called “Jamesburg”—opened in 1867 and remains the state’s largest youth prison, housing about 200 boys and young men ages 12–23. Its long history and size have made it a focal point and one of the worst juvenile detention centers for sexual misconduct, resulting in numerous lawsuits.

In 2018, New Jersey first announced its plan to close NJTS and house juvenile convicts elsewhere, but survivors allege they spent decades subjected to sexual abuse, systemic failures, negligent supervision, and ignored reports persisting well into the 2010s. Many describe coercion, retaliation, and how sexual abuse occurred in cottages, classrooms, and nearby wooded areas.

In January 2024, a civil complaint was filed on behalf of 50 men alleging decades (1970s–2010s) of physical violence and criminal sexual conduct by officers, counselors, and staff at NJTS. 

Attorneys, including Moshe Maimon, represent plaintiffs and pursue legal action, while Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin responded by renewing plans to close the facility and pledging a full investigation.

By mid-2025, litigation exploded to 350+ lawsuits statewide, with 108 plaintiffs consolidated into multicounty litigation (MCL) in Middlesex County under Judge Bruce J. Kaplan. This centralization allows coordinated discovery and rulings, speeding accountability for survivors.

Oversight data also show the scale of abuse. The JJC’s 2022 PREA Annual Report documented 18 sexual-abuse allegations across its facilities—5.55 per 100 inmates—underscoring persistent dangers in youth detention facilities. National statistics mirror these risks across the country.

Although NJTS-specific settlements are sealed, New Jersey paid $178 million in 2024 to settle lawsuits statewide, including $23 million for people sexually assaulted in custody, a category covering juvenile facilities. These recent lawsuit figures show the state’s exposure as more and more victims continue to file claims.

What Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Juvenile Detention Facilities?

At Injury Lawyer Team, we rely on both New Jersey law and federal protections when we represent survivors of New Jersey Training School sexual abuse or other youth detention facilities. Understanding these laws is essential to building a strong sexual abuse lawsuit on behalf of our clients.

State Laws

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.10 – Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse

This statute requires staff members, volunteers, and other professionals working with minors to immediately report any suspicion that a child has been subjected to sexual abuse, physical violence, or other forms of child abuse. We investigate whether mandatory reporting duties were ignored at the New Jersey Training School in Monroe Township, leading to decades of systemic neglect.

N.J.A.C. 13:101 – Juvenile Justice Commission Regulations

The JJC sets minimum standards for all juvenile detention centers, including staffing, security, and youth protection. Violations of these regulations can support a civil claim for negligence when sexual misconduct occurs in state custody.

Federal Laws

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

PREA requires every juvenile detention center, including the New Jersey Training School, to implement zero-tolerance policies for sexually abused children, train staff, and provide confidential reporting options for youth. We use PREA standards to demonstrate how systemic abuse or poor oversight violated federal mandates.

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA)

Enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice, CRIPA authorizes federal investigations of juvenile facilities like NJTS when there is evidence of widespread sexual abuse, physical force, or denial of constitutional rights. CRIPA findings can bolster civil lawsuits filed by survivors seeking accountability.

What Damages Can Victims Recover in Civil Lawsuits?

When we represent survivors of NJTS sexual abuse, we pursue every category of damages available under New Jersey’s state law. These damages help address the immediate and long-term impact of sexual victimization and systemic abuse in juvenile detention facilities.

Economic Damages

• Medical treatment and hospitalization costs for injuries caused by the abuse
• Therapy and counseling expenses for trauma, PTSD, or other mental health issues
• Lost wages and future earning capacity resulting from long-term harm
• Educational and vocational losses due to time spent recovering from the abuse

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll of sexual assault
• Loss of enjoyment of life and disruption of relationships
• Emotional distress and mental health anguish
• Loss of dignity and autonomy after being sexually abused in New Jersey juvenile detention

Punitive and Other Damages

• Punitive damages to punish and deter institutional neglect and intentional misconduct of some of our most vulnerable members of society by facility staff or the JJC
• Attorney’s fees and litigation costs where permitted by law
• Injunctive relief or court orders forcing institutional reforms to protect future generations

Who Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Abuse at New Jersey Juvenile Detention Centers?

At Injury Lawyer Team, we investigate every angle of liability when representing survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention facilities. Under New Jersey state law, multiple parties can be responsible when sexual victimization or systemic negligence occurs in custody.

• Facility Staff and Correctional Officers – Individuals who committed or enabled youth inmates to be sexually abused at the New Jersey Training School or other youth detention facilities.
• Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) – The state agency responsible for staffing, training, supervision, and mandatory reporting at the New Jersey Training School in Monroe.
• Private Contractors and Outside Service Providers – Abuse caused by mental health professionals, vendors, or contracted staff or if they failed to report child abuse inside juvenile detention centers.
• Middlesex County or Local Entities – County or local officials who had oversight or provided services at the detention facility and failed to act on reports of sexual abuse or institutional neglect.
• Institutional Negligence – Holding the JJC, juvenile detention centers, and their leadership financially liable for systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur.
• Vicarious Liability – Pursuing civil lawsuits to hold institutions responsible for the actions of their staff members when abuse occurred during employment.

How Long Do Sexually Abused Victims Have to Take Legal Action in New Jersey?

We guide survivors of sexual abuse at New Jersey Training School through the state’s specific time limits for filing criminal and civil actions. Knowing these deadlines is essential for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers.

Criminal Charges

New Jersey legislature eliminates the statute of limitations for most child sexual abuse and criminal sexual conduct crimes. 

Under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:1-6, prosecutors can file charges at any time against perpetrators, including facility staff and correctional officers, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. This means survivors of New Jersey Training School misconduct can still press for criminal accountability decades later.

Civil Lawsuits

Under NJ Stat. § 2A:14-2a (New Jersey Child Victims Act), survivors of child sexual abuse may file a civil lawsuit until age 55 or seven years after discovering the abuse, whichever is later.

This law also created a two-year revival window (November 2019–November 2021) that allowed previously time-barred claims to be filed—one reason hundreds of suits were launched against youth detention facilities like the New Jersey Training School.

Even if a survivor missed the revival window, they may still qualify under the seven-year discovery rule, particularly if they only recently connected their injuries to the alleged abuse.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we support the many survivors of NJTS sexual abuse with compassionate, skilled representation. 

We investigate systemic negligence, hold the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission and staff accountable, and guide clients through every step of their civil lawsuit. With confidential consultations and a contingency fee structure, survivors can seek justice without financial risk.

Here’s what we do for our clients:

• Conduct thorough investigations into abuse at the New Jersey Training School and other juvenile detention facilities
• Gather and review personnel files, PREA reports, and internal records to prove institutional neglect
• File civil lawsuits and sexual abuse lawsuits against the JJC, staff, and contractors
• Coordinate with mental health experts to document trauma and long-term effects of sexual victimization
• Pursue maximum financial compensation for medical care, therapy, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering
• Handle all legal complexities so survivors can focus on healing while we fight for justice
• Provide confidential consultations and handle your case on a contingency-fee basis—no charge to you unless we win.

FAQs

What constitutes sexual abuse at New Jersey juvenile detention facilities?

Any unwanted sexual acts or contact by staff members, correctional officers, contractors, or other residents. Under New Jersey law and PREA, any sexual contact between staff and youth inmates is strictly prohibited.

What factors impact the value of a case?

Severity and duration of abuse, survivor’s age, physical and emotional injuries, institutional negligence, and potential for punitive damages all affect the outcome of a sexual abuse lawsuit.

How do I report sexual abuse at a juvenile detention center in New Jersey?

Report to the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission, local law enforcement, or the Attorney General’s Office. We can assist with reporting, preserving evidence, and taking legal action.

Book a Free Consultation

At Injury Lawyer Team, we believe every survivor who suffered sexual abuse at the New Jersey Training School or other youth detention facilities deserves a safe, confidential space to understand their legal rights. That’s why we offer free consultations to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse in state custody.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fees only come from a recovery we secure for you. This allows survivors to pursue sexual abuse lawsuits and seek justice without financial risk. Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation and take the first step toward accountability and healing.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.