Brave. A one-syllable word defined by Merriam-Webster as a noun:   having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty: having or showing courage.

Just ordinary people doing extraordinary things, often for survival or the prevention of wrongs being repeated to others. 

The thing is, being brave is only the first step in a long ladder, and survivors of abuse often struggle with finding the right support. In North Pennsylvania and beyond, knowing where to turn to for support can make all the difference.  

If a survivor of Pennsylvania’s juvenile detention faces abuse, knowing where to get counseling, legal justice, or simply someone to believe the truth is the only way towards healing and accountability. 

The Big Fail

Humans need certain things to achieve their highest purpose in life… survival: (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs)

• Physiological Needs
• Safety
• Love and Acceptance
• Esteem
• Self Actualization

Family, life, and circumstances are not even able to provide resources for the basics. 

Instead, a child who may have ADHD acted rashly as no one took the time to help or support them so they ended up in a system that subjects them to other risks and atrocities, which draw them further into a broken system that exacerbates everything, and what happens? 

The big fail. 

But what is done is done, so how do we try to put things right? How do they?

Essentials

1. Advocating for Youth in PA

There’s no doubt the pathway is going to be long and hard-won, so it is advantageous for survivors to seek out advocacy groups that understand the challenges ahead:

• Juvenile Law Center (Philadelphia, PA) – A national leader in juvenile justice reform, offering policy advocacy and legal resources.
• Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) – Provides trauma support and helps survivors with reporting processes, which tend to be complicated.

Groups such as these can help survivors access counseling, know their rights, and even push for systemic change. These reforms are important given the history of Pennsylvania juvenile detention sexual abuse lawsuits tied to juvenile justice scandals.

2. Reporting Abuse

PA offers confidential hotlines to file complaints of ongoing abuse or historic abuse that was never properly reported:

• PA ChildLine (1-800-932-0313) – Mandated reporters and survivors can call 24/7 to report abuse in state facilities.
• Office of the Victim Advocate (717-971-2115) – Helps survivors with their rights in criminal cases.

Many juvenile detention abuse cases go unreported for years. If a survivor speaks up now, it will help prevent future incidents from happening. Another good thing is, Pennsylvania has an extended statute of limitations for child sex abuse, so a phone call to one of these hotlines could even reopen older cases. 

3. Free & Low-Cost Legal Aid Organizations

Often a survivor is unable to afford a private attorney but,  Pennsylvania has programs that offer free or sliding-scale legal help, including:

• Community Legal Services of Philadelphia – Assists low-income survivors with civil legal issues.
• Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network – Connects residents to regional legal aid offices.

These programs may not be able to handle litigation but they can certainly help survivors secure protective orders, access victim compensation funds, or file complaints with oversight agencies.

4. Local Press and Advocacy Reports

It has often been observed that public pressure can help change faster than a lawsuit. There have been numerous investigative reports exposing juvenile detention abuse:

• The ‘Kids for Cash’ scandal in Luzerne County, where judges received kickbacks for sentencing children to detention centers.
• 2023 Philadelphia Inquirer investigations into violence in PA juvenile facilities.

When these reports make the general population aware of what is going on, it helps survivors to realize they are NOT alone and can trigger memories and confidence to uncover patterns and incidents that can even strengthen their case.

5. Specialized Law Firms for Juvenile Detention Abuse Lawsuits

PA has been working really hard to be more supportive of the victims in these cases and there’ve recently been juvenile justice reform proposals aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s approach to supporting youth offenders and holding providers and public officials accountable. 

For survivors seeking financial compensation or institutional accountability, experienced attorneys are critical as they will be up to date on the most recent reforms set in place (like the 2023 PA update to its statute of limitations).

Firms familiar with these cases can help survivors:

• Figure out and deal with complex deadlines (PA’s laws have unique exceptions for child abuse).
• Laws that allow cases, even decades old, can now file a suit.
• Identify liable parties, including private contractors or negligent government agencies.
• Access expert testimony from psychologists and prison reform advocates.

If you’re exploring legal action, look for attorneys with a track record in Pennsylvania juvenile detention sexual abuse lawsuits, as these cases require specific expertise.

Good News For North Pennsylvania

Rural areas often have fewer resources for survivors but the abuse happens statewide so the hope is sharing resources will:

• Encourage survivors with knowledge of their rights.
• Highlight Pennsylvania-specific options, from legal aid to advocacy groups.
• Force accountability for facilities that failed to protect children.

Smaller counties may fly under the radar when there are fewer supports in place and this can make it harder for victims to come forward.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you love or know suffered abuse in a PA detention centre, help is out there. If you’re looking to sue your abuser, or the system who allowed it to happen, or hold the system accountable for complaints they previously ignored. 

Be brave. 

Everyone can be brave together and take the first steps to justice.