In advance of the New Hampshire Legislative Fiscal Committee meeting on April 18, where lawmakers once again will vote on budget allocations for the YDC Settlement Fund, Shaheen & Gordon asked survivors of YDC abuse if they would like their voices to be heard.
Dozens came forward with strong statements in support of the fund and tragic stories of abuse.
These include stories of people like Patricia Johnson, who was assaulted and suffered a miscarriage during her time at YDC. Johnson states, “If those responsible had done their jobs—if they had truly protected me—I would have a 51-year-old child today. But they didn’t. They failed me then, and now they want to fail all of us again, by turning their backs and refusing to acknowledge the harm that was done.”
And Robert Hensley who was raped multiple times at YDC and had kept it to himself for over 50 years. “During my time there, I was raped in the barn multiple times by grounds staff while they were employed by the facility. There was no one present to protect me or offer medical care. I was left bleeding and alone for days, without assistance, treatment, or even acknowledgment of what had occurred. Until recently, I never told anyone about what happened – not even my family. I carried this burden alone for decades. I am now in my seventies. I deserve peace. I deserve recognition.”
Both Johnson and Hensley’s claims are pending in the Settlement Fund and they are left to wonder if they will still be able to get justice through the fund.
Those who have already settled their cases through the Settlement Fund, like Timothy Race, question why they would get justice through the fund, but their fellow survivors would not. “Even with the years of physical and sexual abuse that I went through at the hands of the State of New Hampshire, being able to get closure was a big relief and helped me grow. I feel that being able to get some sort of justice for myself and others who went through the very same ordeal while in custody of the State of New Hampshire starts a long overdue healing process for us all. Please help all the victims so they too can find the peace I have found.”
Please read all the survivor statements here.
