Naselle Youth Camp Sex Abuse Lawyers

The Naselle Youth Camp was a medium security detention facility and school for male juvenile offenders. It contained 34 structures and housed 225 youth residents before closing in 2022. The camp has been the subject of multiple sexual abuse allegations over the past several years.

Written by:

Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: October 1, 2024

Home » Washington Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Lawyers » Naselle Youth Camp Sex Abuse Lawyers

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from your time residing at the Naselle Youth Camp, the youth detention center sexual abuse lawyers at Bergman Oslund Udo Little will seek to hold the responsible parties accountable for your harm. 

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Sexual Abuse at Naselle Youth Camp

Who Can File a Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Naselle Youth Camp?

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Washington Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Washington’s New Statute of Limitations for Juvenile Sex Abuse Lawsuits

How Our Washington Youth Camp Sexual Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Free Consultations for Survivors of Abuse at Naselle Youth Camp

Key Takeaways

The Naselle Youth Camp in Washington, which housed 225 youth residents before closing in 2022, has been the target of many sexual abuse allegations by former inmates. 
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse at Naselle Youth Camp, you may be eligible for monetary damages. 
Even if it has been many years since the abuse occurred, you should speak with a knowledgeable juvenile sex abuse lawyer about your rights and options. 
The attorneys at Bergman Oslund Udo Little are passionate about helping the survivors of childhood sex abuse get the justice and compensation they deserve.

Sexual Abuse at Naselle Youth Camp

If you are a survivor of abuse at Naselle Youth Camp, you’re not alone. This facility has faced multiple allegations of misconduct and sexual abuse by staff members over the years. 

The string of lawsuits filed by former inmates demonstrates a pattern of abuse and failures by the administration to sufficiently protect the juveniles under their care. Some recent headlines involving misconduct at the Naselle Youth Camp include the following:

In July 2021, Washington state agreed to pay $805,000 to settle a civil lawsuit brought by four former Naselle Youth Camp detainees who alleged ex-camp counselor Michael Nolan sexually abused them. Examples of Nolan’s actions include enticing youth to swim naked with him and inappropriate sexual touching.

In January 2021, former Naselle Youth Camp worker Steven D. Wirkkala was arrested and charged with commercial sex abuse. Wirkkala allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior with a 12-year-old female on the social media platform Snapchat. Authorities allege he sent the girl vulgar messages, including pictures of his genitalia, and offered her vaping supplies in exchange for sexual acts. While the charges were unrelated to his employment, authorities expressed particular concern, given the nature of his work.

“The number of survivors who have bravely come forward to disclose their stories of sexual abuse at Naselle Youth Camp at the hands of many different state employees demonstrates that the state tolerated and perpetuated a culture of sexual violence at this facility. These wrongdoers need to be held accountable.”

Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund – Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little, PLLC

Who Can File a Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Naselle Youth Camp?

If you were a Naselle Youth Camp resident before it closed in 2022, the state of Washington was responsible for your care and safety while you were in the facility. Specifically, the state had a legal duty to protect you from harm. You might be entitled to hold the state responsible through a civil lawsuit if you suffered abuse at the camp. 

It doesn’t matter if the perpetrator claims that the sexual contact was consensual—minors under the age of 16 cannot legally consent to sex in Washington. In addition, because facility staff hold power over its residents, any sexual contact violates the law and the residents’ civil rights, regardless of alleged consent. 

You may have grounds to file a sex abuse if you were sexually assaulted or abused at the Naselle Youth Camp by a counselor, guard, other Naselle Youth Camp staff member, or a fellow inmate.

A lawsuit is a civil case completely separate from any criminal proceedings that arise from what transpired at the facility. With a civil lawsuit, you can hold the institution and the state accountable for the harm you suffered. You can file a claim even if your abuser never faced criminal charges. An experienced and knowledgeable sexual abuse lawyer can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. 

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Washington Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Sex abuse is sadly not a rare occurrence at Washington detention centers. There is a decades-long pattern of sexual assault and abuse at state-run facilities. To date, the state has paid millions of dollars to survivors after investigators uncovered disturbing and criminal events. While reporting sexual assault or abuse can be frightening, it can help stop these activities and secure the justice and compensation you deserve. 

Each client’s potential compensation in a sex abuse civil case depends on their experiences and the damages they suffered. Damages that may be recoverable in a Washington sex abuse lawsuit include the following:

All related medical costs
Psychological therapy and rehabilitative expenses
Lost income and lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

While no attorney can guarantee a specific result, we have secured more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients and strive for maximum compensation in each case. 

Washington's New Statute of Limitations for Juvenile Sex Abuse Lawsuits

The state recently enacted  H.B. 1618, eliminating the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse that occurred on or after June 6, 2024. Prior to that law, Washington had a three-year statute of limitations for sexual abuse civil claims.

Because Naselle Youth Camp closed in 2022, the old statute of limitations governs claims over sexual abuse that occurred there. However, under that law, the clock does not begin to run until the victim becomes an adult at age 18. Thus, minor victims generally have until their 21st birthday to file suit.  The statute of limitations also does not begin to run until the survivor is aware of the full extent of his or her emotional injuries and knows the identity of the negligent entity or person.

How Our Washington Youth Camp Sexual Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Washington juvenile detention centers and youth camps have faced multiple allegations that they failed to safeguard young inmates from sexual abuse for many years. A recent change in the state’s law allows abuse survivors more time to file lawsuits, leading to better access to justice. 

If you experienced sexual abuse while residing at Naselle Youth Camp or another juvenile detention facility, program, or camp, you may be able to pursue legal action and seek compensation for your damages. 

An experienced and qualified Washington sexual abuse lawyer can explain your rights as an inmate of the state and initiate the appropriate legal proceedings against the proper party responsible for the sexual assault or abuse. 

Your attorney will act as your legal representative in communications with the courts and any law enforcement agencies to help you get the proper care and full compensation you deserve. 

Free Consultations for Survivors of Abuse at Naselle Youth Camp

We understand that coming forward about sexual abuse can be scary. The compassionate sex abuse lawyers at Bergman Oslund Udo Little have experience handling these cases and care deeply about your well-being. 

We hope to empower you to use your voice and seek the justice you deserve. Call 206-957-9510 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your concerns and learn more about your options. Our firm is ready to offer you support. 

Have more questions? Review our Washington sexual abuse FAQs and Survivor Support Resources.