Lawsuit Seeks Damages, Reform and Transparency for DYRS

August 5, 2025

of News Article Attorneys Bernadette Armand and Elizabeth Paige White have filed a civil rights lawsuit against former juvenile corrections officer Kelvin Powell, DYRS Director Sam Abed, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the D.C. Office of the Attorney General following Powell's conviction for sexually abusing a minor at D.C.'s Youth Services Center (YSC). The lawsuit demands financial damages, implementation of policies aligned with national standards, and increased transparency at YSC, where Powell repeatedly sexually assaulted a resident identified as K.A. between December 2021 and February 2022. According to the lawsuit, Powell's actions represent a broader pattern of abuse at YSC, with nearly a dozen former residents coming forward with similar stories, while the facility has also faced reports of fights, staffing shortages, overcrowding, and substandard living conditions.

Who is affected

Youth residents at D.C.'s Youth Services Center, particularly the victim identified as K.A.
Other former YSC residents who have come forward with stories of abuse (approaching a dozen)
Justice-involved youth in D.C. who are described as "on the margins"
Children placed under D.C. government supervision
Young people detained under court order at YSC

What action is being taken

Attorneys Bernadette Armand and Elizabeth Paige White have filed a civil rights lawsuit against Powell, Abed, Bowser, and the D.C. OAG
Local organizers, children advocates, and former YSC residents are supporting the legal action
D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker is preparing to introduce a "policy package" this fall to address issues at DYRS
The legal team is gathering evidence and testimonies from additional victims
Community groups like Harriet's Wildest Dreams are standing in solidarity with the victims

Why it matters

The case exposes a pattern of alleged abuse toward justice-involved youth in D.C. government care
YSC failed to follow National Prison Rape Elimination Act Juvenile Standards for adequate staffing and supervision
Surveillance footage shows Powell was repeatedly left alone with female residents, creating opportunities for abuse
The lawsuit documents multiple instances of sexual assault that went uninvestigated despite evidence
The emergency juvenile curfew law is sending more youth to YSC, potentially exposing them to unsafe conditions
It highlights systemic failures in oversight, staffing, and accountability within DYRS facilities

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer