Key Takeaways
- Elizabeth Elizarraraz, an after-school counselor in Santa Clarita, has been charged with multiple felony counts involving alleged sexual abuse of a minor
- The alleged abuse occurred in connection with her role at a Boys & Girls Club-affiliated after-school program
- Authorities believe there may be additional unidentified victims and are urging others to come forward
- The case highlights ongoing risks in youth-serving organizations and the critical need for institutional accountability
Allegations Against Elizabeth Elizarraraz
Elizabeth Elizarraraz, 32, an employee of an after-school program associated with the Boys & Girls Club in Santa Clarita, California, is facing criminal charges with multiple felony counts of lewd acts involving a minor.
According to investigators, Elizarraraz allegedly developed an inappropriate relationship with a minor she met through the program. Authorities report that the relationship may have spanned a period of time during which she had direct access to youth participants.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged her with multiple counts related to lewd acts involving a child, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations.
Authorities Believe There May Be More Victims
Perhaps most concerning in this case is what investigators are now saying publicly: this may not be an isolated incident.
Law enforcement officials have stated that, based on the nature of the allegations and Elizarraraz’s access to minors through her employment, there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Detectives are actively seeking information from the public and encouraging anyone who may have had contact with Elizarraraz in a youth program setting to report concerns.
This pattern where one report leads to the discovery of others is tragically common in cases involving youth-serving organizations.
Institutional Responsibility: Youth Programs Must Do More
Organizations like the Boys & Girls Club play a vital role in communities, providing safe, structured environments for children. But with that mission comes an equally critical responsibility: ensuring the safety of every child entrusted to their care.
In this case, the organization has stated that the employee was suspended and barred from facilities following the arrest.
But the harder question remains:
What systems were in place to prevent this and were they enough?
Civil cases involving youth organizations often focus on:
- Hiring and background check practices
- Training and supervision of staff
- Reporting mechanisms and response protocols
- Warning signs missed or ignored
When adults are placed in positions of authority over children, institutions must do more than the minimum. They must actively work to prevent harm.
Why Civil Litigation Matters in Cases Like This
Criminal charges do not tell the full story.
Civil litigation provides survivors with an opportunity to:
- Hold institutions accountable for failures in supervision or protection
- Uncover patterns of misconduct that may not surface in criminal proceedings
- Access resources for healing and recovery
- Drive policy and systemic change to prevent future abuse
For many survivors, the civil justice system becomes the only pathway to accountability especially in cases where additional victims come forward over time.
A Pattern We Cannot Ignore
This case underscores a reality we see far too often:
Individuals in trusted roles teachers, counselors, coaches, and program staff using their positions to gain access to children.
When abuse happens in these settings, it is not just an individual failure. It raises serious questions about the systems that allowed that access and whether enough was done to protect vulnerable youth.
Speaking With a Sexual Abuse Lawyer About Your Rights
If you or someone you love experienced sexual harassment, abuse, or exploitation by Elizabeth Elizarraraz, you may have a civil case.
Andreozzi + Foote is a civil law firm dedicated to representing survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation in California and nationwide.
We offer free, confidential consultations to help survivors learn about their rights. This helps them understand their potential legal options and decide what feels right for them.
You deserve to be heard, and our attorneys will listen.
Contact us today.
(866) 858-3790
info@vca.law
Photos of Elizabeth Elizarraraz courtesy of KNXNews and Boys and Girls Club from their webpage.
