Los Angeles County is set to make a historic decision to pay $4 billion to settle nearly 7,000 claims of childhood sexual abuse. These allegations stem from incidents that occurred in the county’s juvenile facilities and foster homes. If approved, this settlement would surpass any previous settlements for sexual abuse claims in the United States.
The proposed settlement comes after extensive lawsuits that have plagued the county, with victims coming forward to report abuse they suffered decades ago. The county’s plan is a billion dollars above its worst-case scenario estimate for resolving these claims. The Boy Scouts of America, for example, previously agreed to pay $2.46 billion in a separate case, while the Archdiocese of Los Angeles settled for about $1.5 billion.
This settlement is largely a result of Assembly Bill 218, a 2020 California law that allowed victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits even after the statute of limitations had expired. This law led to a significant increase in lawsuits against various counties, including Los Angeles. The county has seen a flood of claims, with many individuals alleging they were sexually abused by staff while in the care of the county.
Victims have described their experiences in the county’s juvenile facilities as traumatic. Many have recounted stories of being molested or raped by officials who were supposed to protect them. One survivor, MaryAlice Ashbrook, shared her pain, recalling her time at the now-closed MacLaren Children’s Center, a facility criticized for failing to conduct background checks on its staff.
L.A. County Chief Executive Officer Fesia Davenport publicly apologized to all victims affected by these abuses. She acknowledged the county’s efforts to reform its practices, including better vetting of foster parents and staff. However, the settlement will significantly impact the county’s finances, which are already under strain from various challenges, including funding cuts and recovery from natural disasters.
The county plans to fund the settlement through its rainy day fund and by taking out bonds, which will incur additional costs in interest over the years. Payments to the victims will be distributed between January 2026 and January 2030, overseen by independent allocators.
As the county prepares for this landmark settlement, it hopes to provide some measure of healing for those who have suffered and to help them rebuild their lives. The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the settlement soon, marking a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for justice for the victims of childhood sexual abuse in Los Angeles County.