WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED IN A MICHIGAN JUVENILE DETENTION OR YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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WAYNE COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER SEX ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting For Survivors Sexually Abused at Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center in Michigan
Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center in Michigan allegedly failed to protect young detainees from sexual abuse by staff and other residents.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that children at Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center in Michigan were sexually abused while in custody.
Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center, located in Hamtramck, Michigan, housed juvenile detainees in the care of the county. The facility has been linked to multiple alleged incidents of sexual abuse, including lawsuits alleging staff members sexually assaulted detainees, a sentenced employee who assaulted multiple teens, and incidents of resident-on-resident abuse allegedly enabled by chronic understaffing and poor supervision.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Sexual Abuse at Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center in Michigan
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:
- In May 2026, a teenage boy filed a lawsuit against Wayne County alleging he was sexually assaulted in April 2024 by employee Svetlana Kuryanova at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility in Michigan.
Kuryanova was sentenced to prison for the sexual assault of two teens at the facility. The lawsuit alleged staff failed to act despite witnessing inappropriate contact between Kuryanova and the teen on live video.
In June 2025, another teen filed a lawsuit alleging he was sexually assaulted in 2018 while detained at the facility.
- In September 2024, a former detainee of Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center filed suit alleging that two staff members known as “Mr. White” and “Mr. Johnson” raped him when he was incarcerated within the facility. The victim in that case alleged the sexual abuse occurred between 2018 and 2020 when he was between the ages of 14 and 17.
- In July 2024, the mother of a young boy who was beaten and raped by five other youths in Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center in 2023 filed a lawsuit against county and state officials, accusing them of negligence. The boy allegedly told police he was punched, stomped in the head and raped in the facility in separate incidents off and on over several hours. The lawsuit alleges that the county was warned about the danger of sexual abuse for her son, that staff placed her son in a unit where sexual abuse was predictable including because he was housed with another juvenile with a history of sexual misconduct and that the conditions within the facility enabled the sexual abuse.
In January 2024, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services filed a report concluding that 5 staff members including a supervisor failed to protect the boy during the assault.
- In May 2024, a former employee of the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center, Svetlana Kuryanova was arrested and charged with sexually abusing two detainees of the facility. In testifying against her, the two victims testified that while incarcerated in the facility when they were ages 16 and 17, Kuryanova sexually assaulted them by forcing them into oral sex. One victim testified that Kuryanova told him “don’t tell” and promised to get him candy when she was on her break.
- In February 2024, an investigation revealed that a state employee brought in by the county to monitor operations inappropriately touched a 15-year-old detainee within the facility. The employee was brought in after the facility lost its full license in the fall of 2023 after the state found an egregious number of violations, including some cells that had air vents covered in feces for over three months. The investigation led to the arrest of the employee who was booked on criminal sexual conduct and child abuse charges and revealed that at least two other state employees could be tied to the allegations.
- In March 2023, a group of boys allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old at the facility, which authorities allegedly attributed to inadequate staff supervision.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center staff member.
- The abuse occurred at any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention facility.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold youth residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect young residents.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
Michigan Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Under Michigan law, a person who was the victim of a sex crime may be entitled to file a civil lawsuit for financial compensation. A sexual abuse case must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is the timeframe within which a survivor can file a civil lawsuit. Under Michigan law, survivors sexually assaulted under the age of 18 may have until age 28 to file a lawsuit. To understand the statute of limitations for your case, it's essential to consult with an experienced lawyer. At Levy Konigsberg, our attorneys specialize in handling both childhood sexual abuse cases and adult sexual abuse cases. We can assess the merits of your potential case and determine how the Michigan statute of limitations specifically applies to the facts of your case.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at Michigan youth residential treatment facilities and juvenile detention centers.
We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and youth residential treatment facilities. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.