Survivors of Maryland Juvenile Detention Abuse Rally for Justice Amid Ongoing Legal Challenges
On a day filled with emotion and determination, hundreds of individuals gathered in front of Baltimore City Hall to demand justice for the injustices they faced as children within Maryland's juvenile detention system. Many of these attendees were once vulnerable youths, entrusted to state employees, who allegedly abused their power and violated the trust placed in them. This rally coincided with ongoing legal battles that survivors are waging against the state, urging it to take accountability for the systemic failures that allowed such abuses to persist.
The rally, held on March 19, 2025, saw survivors bravely sharing their personal stories in front of an assembled crowd and media, highlighting a dark chapter in Maryland's history. Notably, Nalisha Gibbs, a survivor who experienced abuse at a juvenile facility at the tender age of 13, stood before the crowd and recounted the traumatic events that occurred during her short detention. "I was only supposed to be there for 30 days. However, the psychological effects have lingered my entire life. Today is a part of my 35-year journey toward justice," Gibbs declared, drawing a powerful response from those present.
In 2023, significant legislative changes were introduced when Maryland passed the Child Victims Act, removing the lengthy statute of limitations on molestation cases involving minors. This act allowed over 4,000 survivors of abuse in juvenile detention centers to file claims against the state, representing a crucial step toward healing and justice. Survivors and advocates argue, however, that the state has yet to fully acknowledge its role in these systematic failures.
Adam Slater, Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP, emphasized that the issue is not simply about a few individuals within the system, but a significant failure on the part of the state's Juvenile Detention Services. He illustrated this point with chilling statistics, noting that one former employee, Ronald Neverdon, allegedly abused 69 children at just one facility, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The Maryland Supreme Court's support of the Child Victims Act has been viewed as a critical turning point in acknowledging the long-term impacts of childhood trauma.
Despite the progress made, survivors are facing opposition from the Maryland Attorney General's Office, which recently filed motions to dismiss some claims and requested delays in proceedings. This legal maneuvering has raised significant concerns amongst plaintiffs and advocates who see it as an attempt to evade responsibility. Attorney Jerome Block chastised the state for its conflicting stance, pointing out the Attorney General's public support for survivors of Catholic Church abuse while not extending the same empathy for those abused in state custody. "There cannot be a double standard when it comes to sexual abuse. All survivors deserve justice, whether the perpetrator is a member of the church or a state employee,” Block stated firmly.
The rally provided a platform for survivors not only to voice their pain but also their resolve. Elexis Massey, another powerful voice among the survivors, stated, "I will not allow our stories to be hidden away. It’s time for the state to acknowledge what happened and to act on behalf of its citizens." Kristen Gibbons Feden of Anapol Weiss echoed this sentiment, stating, "It is crucial that our society reflects on its failures. Allowing abuse in our institutions and subsequently denying justice to victims is a grave injustice against our future."
As the rally concluded, calls for immediate action rang through the air. Survivors, backed by their legal representatives, demanded an end to delays and a commitment from state officials for justice in all cases of abuse suffered in juvenile detention centers. The message was clear — the time for accountability and acknowledgment of past wrongs is now. Survivors remind us that justice delayed is justice denied, and they refuse to let their experiences fade into the shadows of history. The path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the survivors are united in their determination to see real change enacted and justice served for all those affected.
The rally, held on March 19, 2025, saw survivors bravely sharing their personal stories in front of an assembled crowd and media, highlighting a dark chapter in Maryland's history. Notably, Nalisha Gibbs, a survivor who experienced abuse at a juvenile facility at the tender age of 13, stood before the crowd and recounted the traumatic events that occurred during her short detention. "I was only supposed to be there for 30 days. However, the psychological effects have lingered my entire life. Today is a part of my 35-year journey toward justice," Gibbs declared, drawing a powerful response from those present.
In 2023, significant legislative changes were introduced when Maryland passed the Child Victims Act, removing the lengthy statute of limitations on molestation cases involving minors. This act allowed over 4,000 survivors of abuse in juvenile detention centers to file claims against the state, representing a crucial step toward healing and justice. Survivors and advocates argue, however, that the state has yet to fully acknowledge its role in these systematic failures.
Adam Slater, Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP, emphasized that the issue is not simply about a few individuals within the system, but a significant failure on the part of the state's Juvenile Detention Services. He illustrated this point with chilling statistics, noting that one former employee, Ronald Neverdon, allegedly abused 69 children at just one facility, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The Maryland Supreme Court's support of the Child Victims Act has been viewed as a critical turning point in acknowledging the long-term impacts of childhood trauma.
Despite the progress made, survivors are facing opposition from the Maryland Attorney General's Office, which recently filed motions to dismiss some claims and requested delays in proceedings. This legal maneuvering has raised significant concerns amongst plaintiffs and advocates who see it as an attempt to evade responsibility. Attorney Jerome Block chastised the state for its conflicting stance, pointing out the Attorney General's public support for survivors of Catholic Church abuse while not extending the same empathy for those abused in state custody. "There cannot be a double standard when it comes to sexual abuse. All survivors deserve justice, whether the perpetrator is a member of the church or a state employee,” Block stated firmly.
The rally provided a platform for survivors not only to voice their pain but also their resolve. Elexis Massey, another powerful voice among the survivors, stated, "I will not allow our stories to be hidden away. It’s time for the state to acknowledge what happened and to act on behalf of its citizens." Kristen Gibbons Feden of Anapol Weiss echoed this sentiment, stating, "It is crucial that our society reflects on its failures. Allowing abuse in our institutions and subsequently denying justice to victims is a grave injustice against our future."
As the rally concluded, calls for immediate action rang through the air. Survivors, backed by their legal representatives, demanded an end to delays and a commitment from state officials for justice in all cases of abuse suffered in juvenile detention centers. The message was clear — the time for accountability and acknowledgment of past wrongs is now. Survivors remind us that justice delayed is justice denied, and they refuse to let their experiences fade into the shadows of history. The path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the survivors are united in their determination to see real change enacted and justice served for all those affected.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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