Top lawyer suing YDC says $100M fund for victims isn't enough

Union Leader                                                                                                                  April 7, 2022

The lead lawyer for nearly 500 victims of alleged sexual and physical abuse at the Youth Development Center said he would recommend his clients refuse to bring their claims to an independent administrator rather than sue for damages unless lawmakers make significant changes to a House-passed bill.

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence sought another change — an expansion of the definition of sexual abuse to include incidents in which there was no sexual contact or penetration.

“We heard from victims who were subjected to acts of sexual harassment, human trafficking, lewdness and indecent exposure,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, the director of public affairs for the coalition, in a letter to the committee.

“Victims shared with us that employees of YDC/Sununu Center would expose their genitals in front of them and threaten sexual abuse.”

Grady Sexton wrote that other victims said they were often forced to shower with other children for the sexual gratification of a YDC employee who was watching.

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