Saturday, March 29, 2025
LA sexual abuse victims say the record-breaking $4bn settlement won’t heal the trauma they endured for decades and are now demanding criminal accountability for the abusers.
This week, Los Angeles County approved a historic $4 billion settlement to compensate nearly 7,000 survivors of sexual abuse in county-run children’s homes, juvenile halls, and foster care facilities. Spanning claims from the 1950s to the 2000s, it marks the largest payout of its kind in American history.
Much of the abuse occurred at the now-closed MacLaren Children’s Center, a temporary shelter that became a prolonged holding place for youth, many of whom suffered systemic abuse. Survivors reported being drugged, assaulted, and silenced by threats, with some recalling forced fights orchestrated by staff.
Despite the monetary compensation, many LA sexual abuse victims argue that true justice remains elusive. Jonathan Wright, 39, and Jimmy Vigil, 45, both survivors, say the trauma they experienced left lifelong emotional scars. Vigil, who was abused at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, emphasized that real closure would only come with criminal accountability for the perpetrators.
“They created the monsters they claimed we were,” Vigil said. “No one focused on healing, only control and punishment.”
Los Angeles officials, including County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, called the settlement a reckoning and an acknowledgment of systemic failure. However, no one has been arrested despite overwhelming evidence and a grand jury report showing the employment of individuals with criminal backgrounds.
While a few cases were referred to the district attorney, the vast majority of abusers remain unprosecuted. Survivors argue that this ongoing lack of legal action sends the message that those in power can abuse without consequence.
As part of the county’s response, sweeping reforms have been proposed. These include launching a dedicated abuse hotline, accelerating investigations, and immediately terminating employees with substantiated abuse claims. Yet, critics warn that these measures come too late for those already affected.
The $4bn settlement, while financed through reserves, bonds, and departmental cuts, is expected to significantly impact the county’s budget until 2050. County CEO Fesia Davenport acknowledged this financial strain but said the changes were necessary to prevent future abuse.
Attorneys representing over 3,500 survivors praised their clients’ bravery in coming forward and stressed the emotional toll behind each lawsuit. They emphasized that while money helps victims rebuild, it cannot erase years of suffering.
For Vigil and others, real justice lies in the prosecution of those responsible.
“I don’t think they’ll ever be held accountable,” he said. “But until they are, this isn’t justice—it’s just damage control.”
