Youth Detention Abuse Lawyers

As per the current regulations in Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA), we are unable to display certain information about our legal services to people residing in those states. If you are located in QLD or WA, please click on this link to access information on youth detention abuse law.

Australia has a long and shameful history when it comes to youth detention. From the 1950s right through until today, many thousands of young people have experienced severe physical and sexual abuse while locked up in youth detention centres.

Some of these facilities were worse than adult prisons. Teenagers were treated like hardened adult criminals, denied basic rights and subjected to extreme violence and abuse by staff. Little was done to rehabilitate problem teens or to help them heal from past trauma. 

Many inmates were manhandled and provoked on purpose to give staff an excuse to abuse and punish them further. Physical and sexual abuse was just a fact of life for many. 

Regardless of which detention centre you were abused in, you may be entitled to compensation. 

We have pursued cases in NSW, QLD, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. You may not even need to go to court; there are options both in and outside of court, and we can talk you through these options and choose what is right for you. 

We have almost 40 years of experience and can advise you on your options.

Many survivors do not speak up for a long time. Often, they feared retribution from the offender, or else they would not be believed. Many blame themselves and live with feelings of shame and embarrassment that they should not have to carry. It is never your fault; often, the hardest step is to break the silence, reach out, find your voice and seek help.