What’s happening at theVictor Cullen Center

A new report says the Victor Cullen Center has been named in four lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of kids, ages 13 to 17, while they were incarcerated often by staff entrusted with their care. That’s horrifying, and sadly, not isolated. This is one node in a much larger web of claims about abuse inside Maryland’s youth facilities. 

For context: Victor Cullen is a hardware-secure treatment program in Frederick County that can serve up to 48 youth at a time. It’s run by Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). The population is supposed to receive treatment in a safe environment. That’s the promise. When that promise is broken, the harm is lifelong.

This case is part of a bigger Maryland story

Since Maryland eliminated the civil statute of limitations for child sex-abuse cases in 2023 a change upheld by the state’s highest court on February 3, 2025 survivors from juvenile facilities have come forward in large numbers. Reports have counted dozens of suits early on, then 200+ by early 2024, and well over 1,000 former detainees by spring 2025. The litigation spans decades and multiple facilities.

That upward curve isn’t a “trend story.” It’s what happens when the law finally stops slamming the courthouse door on people who were abused as children. The Child Victims Act made that possible and the Maryland Supreme Court confirmed survivors can use it.

How this contrasts with other cases we handle

We represent survivors in churches, schools, foster care, and youth programs. Those institutions are different from a hardware-secure juvenile facility but the playbook we see is painfully familiar:

• Denial and delay. Internal “investigations,” finger-pointing, and attempts to dismiss cases on technicalities instead of facing facts. (Maryland’s state filings have included motions to toss juvenile-facility claims; survivors’ counsel call them delay tactics.)
• System gaps. Chronic staffing shortages, poor supervision, and cultures that minimize complaints conditions Maryland’s own oversight reports and audits have flagged in recent years.
• Survivors bearing the burden. Kids who should be safe are told to “prove it” years later, while the institution holds the records.

What’s unique in facilities like Victor Cullen is state custody: when the government takes a child’s liberty, it assumes a duty of care it must meet. Failing that duty isn’t a PR issue it’s a constitutional and statutory problem with real damages.

Why the payouts and policy changes matter

Compensation is not “just money.” It pays for therapy, medical care, education interruptions, and a long runway of support. Just as important, civil cases force disclosure (who knew what, when), injunctions (fix it now), and policy reform (safe staffing ratios, training, surveillance, reporting, and independent oversight). That’s how civil justice drives change when systems stall. 

Quick facts to ground the conversation

• Four new suits naming Victor Cullen, with alleged victims 13–17 at the time.
• Victor Cullen is a hardware-secure state facility in Frederick County, with capacity around 48 youth.
• Maryland’s Child Victims Act (2023) removed time limits for civil child-abuse claims; the Maryland Supreme Court upheld it 2/3/25.
• Claims from juvenile facilities have grown rapidly from 50+ early cases to 200+ by early 2024 and 1,400+ by spring 2025 reflecting decades of alleged systemic failure.

For parents & caregivers: how to protect a child now

Even one of these steps helps:

1. Document everything. Keep copies of incident reports, emails, texts, medical notes, and any grievances filed with DJS or the facility. Dates, times, names.
2. Escalate concerns in writing. Report to the facility AND to higher oversight (DJS headquarters/Ombudsman/JJMU), and request a written response.
3. Ask for safety specifics. Who supervises? What are staff-to-youth ratios? Surveillance coverage? Escalation protocols?
4. Medical evaluation & counseling. If harm is suspected, get an immediate medical/trauma-informed evaluation and connect with therapy.
5. Know the law. Because of Maryland’s CVA, you can pursue civil action regardless of when the abuse occurred and the state’s high court has green-lit that path.

For survivors: your options

• Civil lawsuit (state court). Seek damages and court orders to force change; CVA removes the old time limits.
• Federal civil-rights claims. In some cases, federal suits are being filed alleging constitutional violations; they can also push reform and, at times, avoid state-cap issues.
• Criminal reporting. If you’re ready, report to law enforcement. Civil and criminal paths can run in parallel.
• Sealed or pseudonym filings. Many courts allow survivors to proceed as “John/Jane Doe.”
• Support. A trauma-informed therapist or survivor advocacy group can help stabilize the process.

Our commitment to Victor Cullen Center Survivors

In every setting schools, churches, foster and youth facilities the mission is the same: center the survivor, expose the truth, and force accountability. The Victor Cullen filings are a stark reminder that children in state custody deserve more, not less, protection. If you or your child were harmed at Victor Cullen or another Maryland facility, we can explain your options under the Child Victims Act, preserve evidence, and move quickly to protect your rights.

You’ve waited long enough. Let’s make the system move. 1-866-753-5458