In a shocking revelation, a victim of sexual abuse at the Los Angeles County juvenile detention center has stepped forward following a record-breaking $4 billion settlement that will compensate over 6,800 survivors. This landmark settlement, stemming from claims dating back to the 1950s, underscores the systemic failures that allowed decades of abuse to persist behind the walls of facilities designed to rehabilitate youth.

Jimmy Fits, now in his 40s, recounted harrowing experiences of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that began when he was just 14 years old. “Behind these walls are secrets that continue to imprison generations long after their release,” he said, revealing the trauma that has haunted him since his youth. Fits described being handcuffed and assaulted by staff members at various juvenile facilities, where he was subjected to brutal treatment and silenced when he sought help.

The abuse was not an isolated incident; Fits is one of nearly 7,000 individuals who have bravely come forward to hold Los Angeles County accountable for the horrors they endured. “It’s not about the money,” Fits emphasized. “It’s about justice and protecting children.” The settlement, made possible by a 2020 state law expanding victims’ rights, reflects a long-overdue acknowledgment of the institutional culture that fostered such abuses.

As the county prepares to distribute the funds over five years, officials are calling for significant reforms in how abuse cases are reported and handled. A hotline for reporting incidents is being established, aiming to prevent future tragedies. County officials have publicly apologized for the “reprehensible acts” that occurred, but for many survivors, the scars remain deep.

“This is a moment of reckoning,” Fits declared, expressing hope that his story will inspire others to speak out. “Now, I finally feel like I have a voice.” As the settlement marks a pivotal moment in the fight for justice, the urgency for systemic change in juvenile facilities has never been clearer.