In what is becoming one of the largest child abuse scandals in recent California history, San Diego County is now facing a wave of lawsuits from former residents of the Polinsky Children’s Center—the very place that was supposed to protect them.
Survivors have come forward to share horrific accounts of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse while in the county-run emergency shelter. The abuse, according to multiple lawsuits, was not isolated to a few bad actors. It was systemic, spanning decades—from the mid-1990s through 2020.
Polinsky Children’s Center is a County-run facility that claims to provide temporary emergency shelter to children who are removed from their families. It was opened in 1994 and is still open today, providing housing for over a hundred children aged 0 to 17 every month.
What Are the Lawsuits About?
More than 100 survivors have now filed lawsuits against San Diego County, alleging that at Polinsky Children’s Center:
- Staff members and other residents engaged in repeated sexual and physical abuse.
- Supervisors ignored or covered up reports of abuse.
- Children were threatened to keep silent.
- The County failed to screen, train, or supervise employees properly.
These survivors were some of the most vulnerable children in our society—many placed at Polinsky after being removed from dangerous or neglectful homes. Instead of finding safety, they were subjected to numerous employees who verbally, physically, and sexually abused them.
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Why This Matters Now
In recent years, California passed AB 218, otherwise known as the California Child Victims Act, a law that extended the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This means:
- Survivors can file claims until age 40 or
- Within five years of discovering how the abuse impacted them.
For many who suffered in silence, this may be the first real opportunity to hold the system accountable. If you’re considering whether to come forward, speaking with an experienced California sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options under this expanded law.
The Ryan Law Group Is Here to Help Survivors of Polinsky
If you or someone you love spent time at Polinsky Children’s Center and experienced abuse—whether it was reported or not—you are not alone. You may be eligible to join the lawsuit and you may be entitled to financial compensation. And perhaps most importantly, you deserve to be heard and believed.
At The Ryan Law Group, we’ve built our reputation as trusted Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyers by standing up for survivors. Whether you’re looking for a San Diego sexual abuse lawyer familiar with the details of the Polinsky cases, or need a trusted legal team to guide you through the process statewide, we are here for you.
We represent survivors of institutional abuse with compassion, experience, and resolve. We understand that stepping forward is not easy. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the legal process—confidentially, respectfully, and on your terms.
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You Deserve Justice. We’re Ready to Help.
If you’d like to receive more information about joining the Polinsky Children’s Center lawsuit, contact The Ryan Law Group today for a free and confidential consultation. Let’s talk about what happened, where you stand, and how we can help you take back control of your story.
Even if you’re unsure whether what happened to you “counts” as abuse, we are happy to hear you out. We have decades of experience representing clients who have been through similar experiences, and would appreciate the opportunity to get you justice. Speak with an experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer today. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
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