More than 1,000 former residents of the Youth Development Center in Manchester, New Hampshire have filed lawsuits alleging physical, sexual, and emotional abuse over several decades. In May 2022, the New Hampshire Legislature adopted RSA 21 M:11-a, which established the Youth Development Center Claims Administration and Settlement Fund for survivors’ claims of sexual and other abuse experienced at YDC facilities.
The Fund is meant to “fairly evaluate and provide compensation” for victims, and if you or a loved one is a survivor of New Hampshire Youth Development Center abuse, you may be able to pursue justice.
Youth Development Center Abuse Information
In one case, a New Hampshire jury awarded $38 million to an individual who accused the Youth Development Center of abuse. The case found that “the state’s negligence allowed him to be beaten, raped, and held in solitary confinement as a teen,” according to the Associated Press.
Now, credible abuse claims against staff at the state-run juvenile detention facility formerly known as the Youth Development Center (YDC) are resulting in New Hampshire YDC abuse settlement payouts for many former residents of the facility.
“Any former resident of a New Hampshire youth development center who was personally subjected to sexual abuse and or other abuse as defined by the statute may file an administrative claim,” the settlement fund website reported. To be accepted and reviewed, claims must be submitted no later than June 30, 2025.
Hundreds of Claims of Abuse at the Sununu Center
The state’s main youth detention center is now known as the Sununu Youth Development Center. It has been operating continuously since the mid-1800s, holding as many as 100 young people at a time. The center now houses girls and boys aged 13 to 17.
In 2019, two staff members were arrested for abusing children at the facility. Nine more staff and former staff members have since been arrested and are facing criminal charges, including felonies.
Hundreds of former residents of the facility have filed lawsuits alleging abuse. Different lawsuits alleging sexual abuse in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s name the same abusers, indicating that staff were allowed to viciously mistreat children for decades without consequences. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are compiling more information and preparing new legal claims as survivors of sexual abuse at New Hampshire’s detention facilities come forward.
Other Youth Development Center Locations
Some other facilities where former residents were sexually or physically abused by or because of a staff member of the facility that may be eligible for New Hampshire Youth Development Center claims include:
- East Cottage
- King Cottage
- Philbrook School
- Spaulding Cottage
- State Industrial School
- Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC)
- Tobey Special Education School
- Youth Detention Services Unit (YDSU)
- Youth Services Center
- any other facility where adjudicated delinquent or pre-adjudication detained youth were housed
If you have questions or believe you may be eligible to submit a claim, please contact our firm for more information without delay.
Institutional Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Clear evidence indicates that sexual abuse was rampant at the Sununu Center for decades. Youth at other facilities, including the State Industrial Center, Philbrook School, and the Tobey Special Education School, may also have been abused. Survivors who were confined at these institutions can also bring sexual abuse lawsuits.
One potential roadblock is the statute of limitations, which is the legal time limit for bringing a lawsuit. New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 508:4-g eliminates the statute of limitations for some sexual abuse claims, but it was not enacted until September 18, 2020. The statute of limitations in effect before the law changed allowed survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits until their 30th birthday, meaning that a survivor who turned 30 on or before September 18, 2020, may not have the right to sue.
The legislature may take further action on this matter. Survivors should discuss their experiences with a legal professional rather than assume that their time has elapsed. The New Hampshire attorneys at Phillips Law Group can review an institutional sex abuse survivor’s specific circumstances and evaluate their legal options.
Call Phillips Law Group for Assistance
The settlement fund website advises anyone who is “unsure whether or not to submit a claim or to participate in the Claim Process” to consult with an attorney. At Phillips Law Group, our team can offer a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
We understand the profound impact that abuse and neglect can have on individuals, particularly those who were vulnerable children and adolescents at the time as the former residents of YDC were. Our dedicated legal team is here to support you in holding those responsible for the harm inflicted at the YDC accountable.
We offer compassionate and confidential legal representation and will ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected. If you or a loved one has experienced abuse at the New Hampshire YDC, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Phillips Law Group is here to guide you through the legal process, advocate for your rights, and help you achieve the justice and compensation you deserve. Your healing and recovery are our top priorities. Please call us today at 602-222-2222 for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation to learn more.
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