Rock River Academy Abuse Claims
If you were harmed at Rock River Academy as a child, you are not alone — and what happened was not your fault. Even though the facility has closed, your story still matters, and speaking with us is always free and completely confidential.
It wasn't your fault. You are not alone.
Request a Confidential Consultation
Free, confidential, and trauma-informed. You decide what to share.
Confidential
All consultations are completely confidential
Proven Results
$4B+ recovered for abuse survivors
Experienced Team
3,500+ survivors represented
40+ Years
Decades of experience fighting for justice
Why Survivors Are Coming Forward Now
A 2014 Chicago Tribune investigation documented conditions at Rock River Academy; a September 2015 civil complaint, citing that investigation, alleged Rockford police had fielded more than 700 reports concerning victimization of girls at the facility over a four-year period. UHS, which operated the facility, disputed former residents' accounts. Rock River closed in April 2015.1
A June 2024 U.S. Senate Finance Committee report separately examined systemic abuse and neglect in youth residential-treatment facilities operated by large for-profit companies.2
About Rock River Academy
Rock River Academy was a residential treatment center for adolescent girls in Rockford, Illinois, operated by Universal Health Services until it closed in April 2015.
Who May Have a Claim
You may be able to pursue a claim if, as a minor, you experienced sexual abuse while a patient at this facility.
Time Limits
Time limits can apply to these claims. The sooner you reach out, the more we may be able to do — and speaking with us is free and confidential.
How We Help
We investigate confidentially, obtain records, and guide you through every step. There is no cost to speak with us, and no fee unless we win.
Why Slater Slater Schulman
For decades, our firm has represented survivors of institutional abuse.
Who We Are
Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a prominent full-service law firm with over 40 years of experience representing survivors of catastrophic and traumatic events, including litigating against the Boy Scouts, clergy, medical professionals, and members of the justice system.
The attorneys at Slater Slater Schulman LLP take a personal approach to representation. We are here to ensure that survivors have the opportunity to confront their past with the full support of our large legal team.
We are honored to have represented more than 3,500 survivors in the historic $4 billion settlement with Los Angeles County—the largest of its kind in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Every factual claim on this page is cited to the listed source. Links open the original document; access dates reflect our most recent verification.
- 1.Courthouse News Service report on the September 2015 Cook County suit by former Rock River Academy residents — Courthouse News Service, September 10, 2015 (accessed June 9, 2026) ↩
- 2.Warehouses of Neglect: How Taxpayers Are Funding Systemic Abuse in Youth Residential Treatment FacilitiesPDF — U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, June 2024 (accessed June 9, 2026)Official .gov source ↩