Slater Slater Schulman LLP
Civil Claims Under the GMVA

ACS Secure Detention Sexual Abuse Lawyers

New York City·ACS secure detention

Were you sexually abused by a guard or staff member at an ACS secure detention facility?

Free Confidential No fee unless we win

The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

Attorneys for survivors of staff sexual abuse at NYC ACS secure detention (Horizon, Crossroads, Spofford). Confidential, free case review.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Were you abused at an ACS secure detention facility?

You may be eligible for compensation. Speaking with us is free and confidential.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Available 24/7 · 646-922-9103

Confidential

All consultations are completely confidential

Proven Results

$4B+ recovered for abuse survivors

Experienced Team

3,500+ survivors represented

40+ Years

Decades of experience fighting for justice

Who May Have a Claim

  • You were incarcerated, detained, or held in custody at a NYC correctional or juvenile facility
  • You experienced sexual abuse by corrections officers, guards, counselors, staff, or other facility employees
  • The abuser was acting in their role at the facility when the abuse occurred
  • You can identify the abuser by name, nickname, badge number, or detailed physical description
  • You know the approximate time period when the abuse occurred

Your Legal Options & Why Now

New York City's rules for abuse claims have recently changed, and many survivors who were previously time-barred may now be able to file. Whether a specific claim can proceed — and its deadline — depends on the facts of that case and requires review with an attorney.

Deadlines are case-specific and require attorney review — don't wait to find out where you stand. See if you qualify →

What happens when you reach out

Three quiet steps, on your terms

  • 1
    You tell us as much or as little as you want.A confidential conversation with our team — by phone or online. You stay in control of the pace.
  • 2
    We review whether you have a claim.At no cost, against the facts and the law — and we tell you honestly either way.
  • 3
    You decide what happens next.If you choose to move forward, you pay nothing unless we win for you.
See If You Qualify Call Now

Time Limits

Time limits can apply to these claims. The sooner you reach out, the more we may be able to do — and speaking with us is free and confidential.

Uncovering abuse

Reports of Abuse at ACS secure detention

NYC's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) operates secure juvenile detention facilities — locked settings where youth are held. The two secure detention centers currently operating are Horizon Juvenile Center (Bronx) and Crossroads Juvenile Center (Brooklyn). The former Spofford center in the Bronx has since closed.

Since the GMVA lookback window applies, survivors have filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at NYC's ACS secure juvenile detention facilities — more than 539 such suits naming Crossroads (Brooklyn), Horizon (Bronx), and the former Spofford center (Bronx, closed), spanning allegations from the 1960s through recent years. These are allegations that have not been proven in court, and no settlement or admission of liability has been reported. In 2025 a Bronx judge dismissed more than 450 of those suits on standing grounds — a procedural ruling, not a finding that abuse did not occur. The claims are being revived under the GMVA after the City Council recently changed the law. 13

One criminal matter connected to an ACS secure detention facility (Horizon) is on the public record: in connection with a sexual act involving an 18-year-old detainee — who, as a detainee, was legally incapable of consent due to inmate status, not age — an ACS staff member was arrested and charged with sexual abuse and related counts, and was fired by ACS. That individual has been charged, not convicted; the final disposition of the case is not confirmed in the public record. 2

The GMVA allows survivors to bring civil claims against the institutions connected to alleged abuse. Whether any given claim succeeds is decided in court. A claim may arise from a NYC ACS secure detention facility whether it is still operating or has since closed, because what the law turns on is that the alleged abuse occurred at a NYC institution — not whether the facility is open today.

The public record we can verify here concerns ACS secure detention facilities (Crossroads, Horizon, and the former Spofford center). For ACS non-secure placements, ACS-contracted limited-secure placements, and other NYC detention settings, the public record we can verify is separate and thinner — if you were abused at one of those settings, speak with us about your potential claim and we will tell you honestly where things stand.

Sources & authorities (3)+
  1. [1]Gothamist — NYC facing 425+ lawsuits over claims of child sexual abuse in juvenile jailsgothamist.com
  2. [2]Gothamist — NYC juvenile detention staffer arrested, fired for sex with teenage detaineegothamist.com
  3. [3]NYC Council — press release on Intro 1297-A (Law 2026/050) reopening the GMVA lookback windowcouncil.nyc.gov

Who the abuser may have been

Correction & detention officers

Sexual abuse by officers responsible for detained youth.

Counselors

Sexual abuse by counselors at the facility.

Facility staff & employees

Sexual abuse by ACS staff or other facility employees.

Supervisors & administrators

Sexual abuse by supervisors or facility administrators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report the abuse to police to file a civil claim?+

No. A civil lawsuit is separate from any criminal proceedings. You do not need to have made a police report, and the outcome of any criminal case does not determine your civil claim. Many survivors pursue civil claims without ever involving law enforcement.

Do I need to know the abuser's full name?+

While knowing the abuser's full name is helpful, it's not always required. If you can provide a detailed physical description, nickname, or other identifying information, our investigators may be able to identify the perpetrator. However, if the abuser cannot ultimately be identified through investigation, it may affect the viability of your claim.

Is my consultation confidential?+

Absolutely. All communications with our firm are protected by attorney-client privilege. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and take extensive precautions to protect your privacy. Many cases can also be filed using pseudonyms to further protect your identity.

Will I have to testify or go to court?+

Many cases settle without the need for a trial. However, if your case does go to court, you may be asked to provide testimony. Our team prepares you thoroughly for any proceedings and supports you every step of the way. We also work to protect your privacy through protective orders and other legal mechanisms.

How much does it cost to file a claim?+

There is no upfront cost to file a claim with our firm. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of any settlement or verdict we obtain on your behalf.

Speak with us, confidentially

If you experienced sexual abuse at a NYC ACS secure detention facility — whether it is still open or has since closed — a free and confidential review will tell you honestly whether you may have a claim and how the filing rules apply to you.

See If You Qualify Call Now

Other NYC Juvenile & ACS Facilities

Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) — Rikers Island

The only women's jail on Rikers Island. Settlements on record; active civil litigation alleging staff sexual abuse.

Learn more

Horizon Juvenile Center (Bronx)

ACS secure juvenile detention in the Bronx. Active civil litigation alleging staff sexual abuse — not proven in court.

Learn more

Crossroads Juvenile Center (Brooklyn)

ACS secure juvenile detention in Brooklyn, named in the same wave of civil suits; state-audit oversight findings.

Learn more

All NYC Juvenile Detention

Overview of the NYC jails and juvenile-detention facilities covered under the GMVA.

Learn more

Do You Qualify? Find Out in 60 Seconds.

Survived sexual abuse or gender-motivated violence at a New York City institution? Answer a few quick questions below to find out if you may be eligible — or call us now. Every conversation is confidential and compassionate.

Or call us directly:646-922-9103
Free Confidential No fee unless we win

The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

Question 1 of 2

Was the abuse sexual in nature?