In a harrowing testimony before the subcommittee on criminal justice and counterterrorism, a former juvenile detainee recounted the traumatic experiences she endured while in the California juvenile justice system. At just 14 years old, she faced extreme poverty and desperation, leading her to commit theft alongside a friend. Their actions resulted in arrest, but the real horror began after their sentencing.

The witness detailed her experiences at Los Padrinos juvenile facility, where she was subjected to sexual abuse by a deputy probation officer. She described being coerced into compliance through fear of harsher punishment, highlighting a systemic failure to protect vulnerable youth. Her ordeal continued at Camp Joseph Scott, where she reported daily sexual abuse by staff members, including a guard who forced her and other girls into degrading acts.

Throughout her testimony, she emphasized the lack of support and reporting mechanisms for victims of abuse within the system. She painted a grim picture of a facility that was supposed to rehabilitate but instead operated like a concentration camp, where girls were routinely assaulted and manipulated.

Now a substitute teacher, she expressed the ongoing impact of her trauma, noting the absence of mental health resources and the struggle to find stability in her life. She called for urgent reforms, urging lawmakers to enforce the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 more effectively, as many young girls remain at risk of similar abuses today.

Her plea resonated with the committee, as she implored them to take action to protect current and future generations of incarcerated girls, emphasizing that their safety and dignity must be prioritized. The testimony serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change within juvenile justice facilities across the nation.