Victims Of Alleged Child Sex Abuse Speak Out

The lawsuit was filed on Monday and alleges widespread abuse of children at Illinois youth detention centers that spanned over decades. The sexual abuse in Illinois youth centers has been going on for far too long. Block said at a press conference on Tuesday that the cases in the lawsuit spanned 21 years from 1996 to 2017. Co-attorney in the lawsuit, Todd Matthews, said the acts were carried out by guards, administrators, staff and other employees of the state of Illinois. The incidents involved all types of horrific sexual abuse. I wish I could have used my time in the system to grow and change and become a better man through the discipline and support of the staff around me. Instead, I was sexually abused and neglected. Many of the plaintiffs say they were threatened or rewarded to keep quiet. Ten of the 95 men and women who filed the lawsuit appeared at the news conference. I want the world to know what happened to me and the rest of the survivors that's going to be standing today. One plaintiff said his experience led to decades of mental anguish and confusion. Upon my arrival, I met a predator, a chaplain employed in the youth center who said I was preyed upon by a dangerous man who held a position of power over me during my time at IYC Harrisburg. The lawsuit alleges Illinois failed to supervise, discipline, remove or investigate alleged abusers and enabled the abuse to continue. The lawsuit follows similar complaints at youth detention centers in New Jersey, California, Maryland and others. Spokespeople for Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the two corrections agencies named in the lawsuit have said that the alleged incidents took place under former administrations and that any allegations of staff misconduct are thoroughly investigated. The lawsuit seeks $2 million per plaintiff. Jason Blair, NTD News.